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Chapter Text

Viktor

The Distinguished Innovator’s Competition. A prestigious event held in Piltover’s entertainment district to showcase revolutionary works born from science and the brilliant minds behind them. A competition Viktor always dreamed of participating in, yet never believed he would have the ability to enter. His background, condition, and status being obstacles he thought too difficult to overcome to be seen by these people. 

Then an extraordinary man standing on a ledge with a dying dream decidedly took a leap of faith into Viktor’s life, forever changing his world.

Jayce Talis sits just across from him, appearing to be on another ledge, but this one of a mental variety. He anxiously notches gears out of a ridiculous fear of their Hexgate prototype spontaneously falling apart during the competition. It does not matter how many times Viktor grumbles it is improbable, how their test results were flawless every time for the past week. He cannot dissuade the stubborn nerves twisting Jayce up. So here they are, bumping along in a hot and cramped carriage while Jayce continues to notch away.

The days leading up to the competition were long and daunting. The sleep deprivation, overworked minds and bodies, and combating differences of opinions over every minute detail has them both on edge and snapping.

“I’m telling you, there is a real probability we tested it to breaking point! I had to replace a few gears and a couple of the circuits three days ago! If we get there and it fizzles out because of our hundreds of tests, we’ll never see the Hexgates take form! We’ll fail!”

“You are being paranoid. Again. Our prototype is flawless and it has yet to ‘fizzle out’. If anything you are going to cause malfunction! You will cause our failure in trying to fix that which is not broken!”

“I’m not going to be the cause of our failure! Your reckless carelessness is!”

“‘Carelessness’?! Was it my ‘carelessness’ that short circuited the first prototype and resulted in catastrophe?! That set us back weeks! Your ego forgoes your own misgivings, Talis-”

“You know what? Sit on your side of the carriage and don’t talk to me on the ride over. I can’t deal with you right now!”

The argument from this morning hangs in the air between them. A reoccurring ritual as of late. Some days the words were spat with such scathing and flying so fast, they wounded and caused enough damage for one of them - usually Jayce - to bolt from the lab.

How did their partnership get to this state?

But he knows.

He rubs at his right knee, a deep ache shooting up it and into his spine. A metal cage wraps around his leg, trapping it and his diminishing freedom. Another unseen metal torture device hugs his midsection in a vice grip, the never ending torment a reminder of his growing physical incapabilities.

The merciless agony of it. To be the actor and audience to the story of your own downfall. A spectacle you cannot simply walk out on in distaste.

To be trapped in an unkind vessel, morphing with more and more scraps of metal. Watching your hopes and dreams fade into the void of longing to what could have been as your body erodes and your soul rots.

Viktor is the cause of their divide. Losing himself to pain and bitterness, unable to keep a grasp on what matters for the cruel injustice swallowing him bit by bit.

And Jayce blind to it all. He sees the changes, yes, and experiences the pain fueled lashes of anger not meant for him. But he does not truly understand. He lives and breathes for his own world of anxiety in the pursuit to do good. To be something more, something shiny and new for people to worship and applaud. A nervous man on a pedestal, waiting to be pushed off.

And how Viktor detestably finds himself itching to push.

“Why is it so hot?” Viktor forcibly yanks himself back into reality and grounds himself in his state of discomfort. The tie around his throat is much too tight. His dampening hair falls into his eyes and sticks to his face and neck. His clothes are disgusting, a second skin suctioning themselves to his body.

Jayce does not even look up from his task. “For one, it’s summer. Secondly, these seats are heavily padded with velvet and it’s cramped in here. You could open the other window instead of complaining.” His retort is laced with condescending impatience.

“Do not explain as if I am a child! I am well aware of the reasonings for our suffocating predicament.” He glowers over to the closed window. The aching in his leg and back pulses in a dare for him to move.

Jayce exhales loudly and finally looks up, throwing his arm to point. “Then open the damn window! I opened both of mine!”

An acidic retort is on his tongue, but another shock of pain shoots through his leg with a rough jerk of the carriage, leaving him voiceless and gripping his knee tighter.

Jayce is too preoccupied with his task to notice Viktor’s predicament. 

Viktor is too proud to mention it or ask for assistance. 

With a throbbing pain, Viktor pulls himself across the seat to open the window.

The slight breeze does little to help, but he supposes it’s better than nothing. He leans his head against the carriage wall, willing for a strong gust to pick up and fan his face. He distracts himself by watching the people in the streets as they pass. All jovial and chattering amongst one another as they wind their way through vendor booths set up in celebration of the event.

The sight becomes tiring fast. These faces of Piltover’s upper and middle classes are a clueless and devoid mass living day to day without a care or worry. He trains his eyes on Jayce instead. 

The man is biting his lip in concentration, eyes squinting in focus. His hair no longer tidy in the usual slicked back fashion due to a constant ruffling from agitated fingers. Sweat beads on his brow and cascades down his heated face. He looks a right mess. 

A very rare state to behold. 

Viktor finds himself taking in every detail, committing it to memory.

The heavy tension between them combined with the heat of the carriage has him twisting in frustration. The desire for a reprieve from it all. The state of his partner only brings more cause to squirm, thoughts darkening from their shared vitriol. How he would love nothing more than to wrap his hands around Jayce’s neck and scream.

The mental image is easy to conjure. His hands would barely encompass Jayce’s thick neck and squeeze, causing the man to choke. Those golden eyes hazing over, not in concern or pain, but such yearning as they roll back.

The flickering fire of rage douses to ashes and a new flame of lust filled desire surges. A beast of needy heat uncaged and stirring fitfully.

Viktor grunts and quickly readjusts, propping the ankle of his good leg up and over his pained knee, wincing at the ache.

The sound and movement are enough to catch Jayce’s attention.
 
Viktor slaps his hands down on his ankle to further shield himself. 

“Are you okay?”

Such a ridiculous question.

“Never been better.” 

But his tone is off. Too gruff. Arousal coming off as pain, or he rather hopes it does.

The ceaseless notching of the gear finally pauses for Jayce to give his undivided attention and Viktor freezes.

They stare at one another for a long moment.

“Can… I do anything?”

Viktor tries not to wince.

Convince me everything is okay.

Tell me I have not ruined everything we have built together.

Do not leave me.

Sit next to me.

Smile.

Laugh.

Touch my shoulder.

Notice me.

“Nothing to do.” 

Viktor watches out the window again.

Jayce goes back to notching.

The silence between them is a scream in the void.

Viktor breathes deeply and uncrosses his leg, the physical need snuffing out as quickly as it had come on. A constant in his life, it seems. To be born one day, screaming with such life and vigor only to wilt away on a pitiful wail and much too early.

The amorous emotions and reactions towards Jayce are nothing new. He can pinpoint the exact moment this all started. The moment he knew he was in danger of falling.

And it was startlingly early.

A simple touch.

A simple declaration.

“Our Hextech dream.”

Never before had Viktor shared much of anything with another person, let alone a dream. And to be welcomed to it so easily, with such trust by a man he had just met.

The last couple of years since that night were spent in a spiral of denial, trying and failing to keep from falling a little further from each touch, every word or idea, how similar he perceived the two of them as two pieces made complete together.

And now he loathes every bit of it.

The attention and wonder Jayce continues to receive from the faceless crowds vying for him to look their way. How those people who meant nothing could be a mirror to Viktor’s own needy desires. Fascination and adoration follows The Golden Boy everywhere. Piltover’s growing idol standing on a pedestal so impossibly high and out of reach. How could Viktor fall for such a trap dressed as a man - his partner? Jayce treats everyone with charismatic kindness to such a fault and feasts on the superficial love like a gluttonous child.

But Viktor’s body shivers to every graze of fingertips.

His heart swells and breaks to every complement.

Jayce Talis is his personal hell of undoing.

Before Viktor’s physical decline landed him in two braces, his shame was a regular occurrence. Late nights in the privacy of his room, hands ghosting over the places Jayce had touched that day. An attempt to mimic the sensation while palming himself roughly to orgasm. Only for his high to be brought down by a sorrowful yearning.

Now the late nights left him aching and sore, chasing the old high of pleasure and coming up empty a majority of the time. The main source of his emotional release being nothing more than tears. Joining Jayce in the lab the following mornings always left him with pent up frustration and desire, an unknown in how to navigate, causing him to isolate, shy away from touch, and ignore praise.

And here sat his partner, none the wiser to his hold over Viktor.

There’s a sudden shift, snapping Viktor back to the present. The carriage bounces roughly with a snap of splintering thunder and the whole vehicle slams to a halt, sloping to one corner. Both men yelp as Viktor is thrown to Jayce’s side of the carriage. 

There is a flurry of movement. His vision and senses momentarily black out due to the sharp and sudden jerk of motion. A pressure punches into his arms, slowing him before he roughly collides against a hard surface; his legs slam against something solid and white hot fire burns every fiber of his right leg and vertebra of his spine. A strangled cry rips from his throat. He falls limp and tries to breathe through the agony. 

A moment passes of nothing more than groaned breaths. The burning intensity slowly wanes and Viktor is able to start gathering his bearings. His body is awkwardly held in a vice grip, face pressing against something damp, warm, and moving. Jayce’s chest.

The vice grip loosens and very carefully and slowly he is turned to sit on the cushioned seat.

A higher being must be getting a fitful laugh right about now. He seethes and tries to find a distraction from losing his mind right then and there. Because there is only Jayce. And Jayce has suffered his ill moods as pleasantly as he can.

The ceiling of the carriage is a bright red with gold trimming. How Talis. He exhales a slight grunt and tries to focus on the colors and details while his body calms down. A blur of worry in the form of hazel eyes has other ideas and rudely invades his concentration.

“Viktor, how hurt are you?”

“Well, every nerve ending is aflame, and I am most inconveniently conscious for it.” At least his brain is intact.

“Ok, you can make jokes. That’s good.” 

“Not a joke.”

Jayce eases back. The visual examination is like hands on Viktor’s body.

“Jayce.”

“Yeah?”

“Just a thought, but perhaps you could get us out of this death trap before it decides to collapse next?”

Without another word, Viktor is scooped up with a tenderness that has his heart stuttering. An arm under his knees, the other supporting his back and holding him close. If he wasn’t so stricken with bouts of pain, he may have cherished this.

Once they are both out of the carriage, Jayce finds a bench for Viktor to recover on and makes a very thorough review of his state. Nothing broken or sprained from all of Jayce’s poking and prodding, which is a small miracle in itself after taking in the slant and damage of their ride.

Roughly a couple yards behind their carriage is a large, upturned stone in the road. The front left wheel laid in pieces nearby.

“Of every ridiculous joke played on me today! You there, Carriage Man! Get over here this instant!”

Jayce

Today reminds Jayce of the Hexcrystals he possessed. Spinning wildly out of control and threatening to blow up in his face at any moment.

He and Viktor are fighting. Again.

Something about their prototype does not meet his standards. A point of contention with Viktor.

Their ride just bit the dust. Literally.

What next?

Jayce takes a breath and decides to count his blessings. It’s too easy to see the negatives at a time like this.

He and Viktor… they are okay. They will get through this. It’s only stress and differing opinions. Once the competition is over they will laugh everything off.

The prototype will work as Viktor keeps assuring. They will become winners and bask in the fruition of their hard work. The masses will applaud and congratulate their ingenuity.

He is fine. Viktor is fine.

Everything is fine.

Jayce exhales roughly this time and rakes fingers through his hair.

At least his most assuredly fine partner is much livelier than he has been in some time. Although the liveliness comes in the form of a brandished crutch and brutal tongue lashings. Jayce is happy it’s not directed at him for once. Their poor carriage driver is red faced, wide eyed, and curling over on himself as Viktor slings possibly every obscene Zaunite phrase he knows at the man, drawing a crowd of nosy onlookers. 

Jayce chuckles, thinking back to lab accidents and failures of the past that had Viktor spewing like this.

Simpler times.

Jayce shirks away from that line of thinking to focus on the next issue: the prototype.

The large case is still strapped to the top of the carriage, appearing intact. Jayce climbs just enough to unhook the straps and cradle it awkwardly as he hops back to the ground. Popping the top reveals the pieces just as they had packaged them with heavy padding. He breathes a sigh of relief they had taken the extra measures and seals the lid once more. He pats at his pants pocket, reassuring himself the small box containing the Hexcrystal still sat within, unharmed.

Now that all of his previous blessings can be backed by physical proof, he feels lighter. He glances around at the gawking crowd to their situation and finds their carriage driver speaking with a couple enforcers taking stock of the scene.

It doesn’t take much searching to find Viktor seated on the bench again, eyes already trained on Jayce.

The second their eyes meet, Viktor flinches and turns his head with a frown.

Jayce frowns too, mood sinking. 

Not all his blessings are easily proven.

But it is only temporary.

Jayce is feeling the pressure of his dream taking root, the extra eyes and expectations following every step he takes. He is not accustomed to being examined like an insect under a microscope, so of course he’s extra flustered and quick to panic and lash out.

Viktor has his own dilemmas. Over the course of a couple years in their working relationship, it was hard not to notice Viktor’s physical struggles rapidly declining. The need for a leg brace and replacing his cane with a crutch. All things Jayce immediately jumped to assist with, wanting nothing more than to help where Viktor would allow. But it bothers Viktor. He will never talk about it, but Jayce knows. How could it not?

There is no love lost between them, or so he hopes. 

They used to feed off each other’s energy. Jayce being overly touchy as he is when excited and Viktor reacting with slight shock, but leaning into it regardless. Their compliments and praises towards one another came as easily to them as breathing.

But now? 

Viktor draws in on himself, becoming tense or outright leaning away from a shoulder grab, and shying away from any kind words, merely mumbling appreciation for it. It is so out of character, Jayce wonders if he had done something to offend his once open and pleasant partner.

Sadly, pondering on it only leaves Jayce more confused and hurt. And today is much too important to bring himself down over it. There’s still much to do.

Their ride is damaged so badly and they are close to the event center, but still a good many blocks. Nothing major enough to have another carriage lug them there, but leaving them to have to carry their prototype by hand. Not the most convenient venture, but Jayce could manage.

They were also absolutely disgusting from that hot carriage ride… Luckily they both had the forethought to pack another set of clothes, both very aware accidents were prone to happen around new inventions and extra clothes being a must.

Jayce ducks his head back into the carriage and retrieves the suitcase they packed. He sets it next to their prototype case.

“Hey, Viktor?”

His partner turns with nothing more than a raised brow. 

“How would you feel… about stopping for a shower somewhere?”

“That is possibly the smartest thing you have suggested all day.”

There is a smirk twitching at Viktor’s lips and Jayce almost doubles over at it. He tries to not let its effects on him show by pointing ahead and continuing on.

“There’s a hotel further down the road. We could stop there.”

Viktor looks in the direction and nods while standing. “Then we must be off. It is only a few hours before the competition commences.”

Jayce smiles as he picks up the suitcase and balances the larger case in his arms.

As they start their trek down the busy sidewalk, Viktor glances and reaches over to Jayce with his free hand towards the suitcase.

“You are not a pack mule, and I refuse to treat you like one.”

“But I can handle it!”

“Jayce, it is my leg - and only one of them, might I add - that has an issue. I like to think my arm is quite capable of ten pounds.” 

It is hard to argue against that, so Jayce caves and hands over the suitcase, instantly feeling his heart light up at the smile Viktor graces him with. Smiles were a thing of the past. This is a treat.

It does not stay long, however. As they meander through the crowd, Jayce starts receiving comments and questions from nearly every person who notices and recognizes him.

“Golden Boy! What is that you are carrying?”

“Oh, is that the magic you promised us? Why is magic in a box?”

“Don’t be an idiot, he’s not a mage. He has to harness it in an object. Clearly that’s the box.”

“His magic is a box?”

“Are you going to do a magic trick of sawing someone in half with that box, Talis? Ha ha ha!”

“Jayce Talis! Tell us how you’re going to help my children grow up to be respectable adults with your magic! Does it help with manners?”

“Are you going to use it against the Undercity? Are you going to save us from these constant attacks?”

“Golden Boy!”

“Jayce Talis!”

Jayce feels his insides sinking and spiraling, walls closing in with each comment and call of his name or nickname.

“Ignore them,” Viktor growls as they keep walking. “They are nothing more than ignorant classists who cannot see past their own noses to your accomplishments.”

“Our accomplishments,” he quickly corrects.

The people are easy to ignore with a strained smile. They do not block the path, mostly belittling him at a distance for his grand ideas seemingly too far reaching into impossibility.

Then a blur of bouncing, blond curls pounces right in front of him, effectively stopping him and Viktor in their tracks.

“Jayce Talis!”

He turns to see the woman past the case in his arms. She wears an academy uniform and bears a very familiar face. He inwardly cringes, but outwardly beams - he hopes - as recognition settles over him.

“Oh, hey… you!”

She balks, but easily recovers. “Becca. We were only classmates for a whole year. You helped me with our final project, remember?”

Jayce remembers the class, her, and the project. He definitely recalls pouring hours into that project while she shamelessly flirted with him the whole while, never taking a hint on how serious he was about his grade and not... whatever she was on about.

“Ah, right, Becca. How could I forget?” He makes a show of trying to readjust his hold on the case. “Well, uh, good seeing you? We’ve got to-”

“You’ve come such a long way, Golden Boy! You’re quite the hot topic in classes. Can I walk with you and catch up?”

“Uh…” Jayce grimaces and side eyes Viktor, throwing as many subtle ‘help me’ looks without the woman’s notice. He blinks when realizing even Viktor doesn’t notice.

The man is frozen with a blank expression on his face, staring Becca down.

Jayce quickly coughs and readjusts the case again. “Hey, this is my partner, Viktor. We, uh, would love to catch up, but we’ve really got to be going, right, Viktor?”

This finally snaps Viktor out of it. When he catches Jayce’s pleading eyes his own widen slightly and he moves towards Becca as if to walk right through her.

“Ah, yes. Pardon us, Ms. Becca, but we are very busy, you see? We must be on our way. You may catch up with The Golden Boy at a later time.”

Jayce laughs lightly, but is thankful. “Yeah, see you around, Becca. The competition calls.” He quickly walks past her.

“How much later is later?” she calls after Jayce, dipping her tone into sultry suggestiveness. 

Jayce pales and bolts - as best as he can - from the lewd attention.

All the negative and superficial focus fogs his senses, spiking his heart rate and suddenly he is doubting himself. What is he doing? And for the hopes of helping people like this? Why is it that everyone he meets is so fake, so cruel, so… skin deep?

He comes to a stop and sets the case down to breathe and wipe his sweating forehead.

A group of girls giggle as they walk past him and wave. He nods, but gives them little else to work with.

Then it hits him.

He spins around, guilt clutching around his stomach.

Viktor walks towards him, not too far behind now. His very placid expression sends a chill down Jayce’s spine and he swallows.

“H-Hey, sorry, I didn’t mean to run off like-”

“Oh no!” A much too sweet tone for the look Viktor wears. “You do not get to apologize.” He stops right in front of Jayce and his calm mask falls away. “You gave me the ‘oh, please save me’ eyes, only to flee when it best suited you, Talis!”

Jayce ducks his head and flinches to his last name.

“I’m sorry! I panicked!”

“No! I do not forgive you for this.” Viktor scowls and continues on down the sidewalk.

“Viktor!” Jayce snatches up the case and follows after, begging. “Please, what can I do to make up for it?”

Viktor scoffs. “Nothing. Who was that Becca anyway? Some academy fling?”

Jayce frowns. Was it his imagination, or was there an accusatory tone there? “Not exactly a fling, but a classmate that… probably wanted to be a fling?” He searches his memory. Yeah, the time of their class was well past his adolescent stupidity of trusting a barely known, pretty face exuding flirtatious energy.

“Hm. A forgotten name along with a forgotten time.”

“Uh…” This sudden fixation pinches Jayce’s brow in confusion. Wasn’t Viktor just upset over Jayce running off on him? Is he about to explode about this morning too?

“It is exceedingly fortunate for you to have plenty of time after the competition to ‘catch up’ on what was forgotten.”

This pauses Jayce’s pace and he looks over at Viktor, but the man only continues forward. He is much too tired and confused to try and act like he knows the inner workings of Viktor’s mind right now. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Viktor stops and glares back at Jayce with such hurt and anger, and Jayce cannot for the life of him figure out why everything is crumbling down around them. He made a terrible mistake in taking off without Viktor, sure, but all this with an old classmate he barely registers? Their morning spat? The slowly growing valley of distance between them when they had once been so close?

“You-”

“Boys!”

They both jump and jerk their head to the familiar cry.

“There you are!” Professor Heimerdinger shuffles towards them with a bright smile. “We had expected you both to arrive much sooner. We were growing worried. What happened?” He eyes them both with concern, taking in their sweaty upheaval and toting their cases.

“We had a bit of carriage trouble, Professor.” Jayce lifts the case in a shoulder shrug. 

Viktor drops the suitcase altogether and doesn’t face either of them.

“It appears… there is more trouble than that brewing.”

Jayce flinches. “Ah, nothing we can’t manage.” He hears Viktor laugh bitterly. The sound is an undoing to his mental faculties. He wants to throw their precious prototype on the ground and scream ‘what is wrong?! Why do you hate me?!’

The blond yordle twirls a finger through his mustache and steps slowly between them. “Tell me, have either of you ever heard of this wonderful phrase: ‘to walk a mile in another person’s shoes’?”

“Well, yeah, but…” Jayce grits his teeth. He is well versed in Heimerdinger’s ‘words of wisdom’ speeches, but now isn’t the time. It wouldn’t even come close to slapping a bandage over their rupturing relationship. Plus, he just doesn’t care particularly much at the moment. “Weren’t you just saying you were expecting us at the event center?”

Heimerdinger waves a hand in the air and places it on Jayce’s wrist. “My dear boy, the day is still young. When you are my age, you learn to stop and smell the roses.” 

That… doesn’t sound like the professor. Jayce glares down. “But-”

“No buts!” The small yordle looks over to Viktor who is glaring a hole into the sidewalk and places a hand to his dangling wrist.

Viktor flinches at the touch and breaks out of his hate filled gaze to look at their Professor.

“I believe the two of you have something much more important at stake.”

“What’s more important than-”

A warm tingling thrums within Jayce’s wrist where the professor holds him. The vibration shoots through his body, causing a stutter to his exhale and he closes his eyes. His mind pleasantly sighs to the cradle of relief the warmth brings. Being held and soothed. The tenderness tightens then catapults his senses, shattering them completely as pain rips through him, mind, body, and soul. He is left nauseas and brain pulsing with the most horrendous headache.

When the whiplash of sensations subsides he blinks his eyes open, finding a new source of pain aching in his leg and back, his side hunching over and his weight held up by something solid under his arm. He glances down and finds himself leaning on a crutch and blinks, feeling dumb and drunk.

Their professor is nowhere in sight, the space where he stood now empty. His senses slowly kick into gear and he’s surveying the area. The prototype case sits on the ground where he must have dropped it after that splitting headache. But this is odd. The placement is not in front of him. It’s in front of-

He blinks.

-the mirror image of himself, horror-stricken and looking right back at him.

“What-” he habitually steps back in shock, finding his footing shaky and unbalanced. His right knee does not react as he wants and he is stumbling backwards.

But the mirror image of himself acts quickly and grabs him, pulling him back to a proper standing position, hands on his arms, staring down at his leg in a brace and oh no…

“V-Viktor…?” he stammers in awe.

His likeness’s eyes widen and stare him in the face, searching his eyes. “Jayce?”

“Professor Heimerdinger said… there was something important at stake.” He looks down at himself, taking in everything… Viktor.

And standing before him, everything him was… actually Viktor.

Chapter Text

Viktor

What the hell is even happening right now? It must be a mental lapse. Seeing the undeniable visage of himself, wide eyed and mouth agape, staring right back at him confirms such.

That utterance of his name and comment made in wonder and not rolling quite the same as his own accent, but very quick and bold like Jayce’s accent only causes further confirmation.

Perhaps this is insanity. Viktor is finally succumbing to losing his one cherished quality. That carriage accident did him in. Knocked something loose. Or he fell into a coma as a result of the accident, and this is the nightmare he gets to live with. Because there is no way this is honestly happening. The chaos, the ridiculousness, the absolutely-

“Amazing!”

Viktor flinches at himself - Jayce - staring up at him in such awe. A very Jayce expression in having solved an equation with stars in his eyes and lips pulled back into the widest smile. Such openness on his very Viktor face. It leaves Viktor blinking at the wildly different person Jayce is making him out to be. Someone softer and lively.

“This is most certainly not amazing! This is lunacy!” Viktor growls - ignoring the fascinating sound of Jayce’s voice coming out of his mouth - and moves to stomp his crutch down with his point, but flails when meeting air. He peers down to his empty left hand with a flex of fingers, the sensation foreign, like he is missing a piece of himself, but it is so… exhilarating. 

The caged free, right leg meets his eyes, and he stares, transfixed. He curiously shifts his weight completely to the right and marvels.

No pain.

Not even a hint of discomfort…

What is this feeling? Such an intense rush of tingling excitement vibrating through him and urging him to take a step, to walk, run, jump. And he could if he wished and with no issue. He blinks back a sudden stinging of tears that threaten to spill as he takes a step backwards with ease and his knees shake.

“Amazing…”

Jayce is beaming in his own excitement, but it fades when taking in his crutch, brow creasing in worry. He attempts a step forward and falters on one of the stones in the path, grasping onto the aid for dear life to the unsteadiness.

Bizarre and mesmerizing as this may be, it is about to be very complicated.

The bitter jealousy and contempt held just a moment ago are a lifetime away and belonging to someone else. Completely washed away by this newfound freedom and slow, haunting guilt.

“Jayce, uhm…” He moves around to Jayce’s side. Easy. Movement is so easy, he hates how much he basks in it while his partner struggles. “When you walk, you’ll want to move the crutch,” he places his hand over Jayce’s to help provide an example, but there is a sharp pull from him. “…Is this not okay?”

“No! I mean, it’s just… that feels… odd.”

Their joined hands appear fine aside from the tremor coming from Jayce’s now slight, pale fingers beneath Viktor’s larger tanned ones. Perhaps his grip strength in Jayce’s body is too much? 

Viktor slides his hand to grasp right next to Jayce’s instead. “Okay, then like this…? Now, move the crutch at the same time as your right leg.” He and Jayce move smoothly together just as instructed. “And then use your left leg as you normally do. Good.” 

The cobbled sidewalk stretching before them takes on a new form of challenge. Not exactly a beginner friendly testing area. Viktor tsks. “Be careful and confident in your steps. The sidewalk is… to put it mildly, a disaster laying in wait for you.”

Jayce looks down at the uneven and slightly jumbled stone path before him. His mouth parts and eyes haze over. “I’m really sorry…”

The apology takes Viktor off guard, not understanding at first until the memory of Jayce running off earlier hits him. There’s still a sting that comes with it, but nothing to send him into another fitful rage. He brushes his fingers through his hair and tries not to distract himself with the damp softness. “It’s fine. Unlike you, I have grown accustomed to walking with the aid and on such rigorous surfaces. I find these circumstances are a crueler punishment than deserved.”

Jayce is frozen to the spot, staring off at the sidewalk and Viktor worries. Darkening thoughts are nothing new to him when it comes to his disability and pain. The idea of the normally bright and cheerful Jayce Talis caving to such a thing has him stalling on what to do or say to redirect his partner into the light. Not a particular mindset Viktor is skilled at in cultivating for himself, let alone another.

“Hey, Viktor… do me a favor?”

Viktor bites his lip to keep from saying ‘anything’ in reflex.

“Could you repeat what you just said,” Jayce’s tone is light and hinting at something playful, his now amber eyes filling with mirth as he looks up to Viktor. “…but slower?”

He blinks then registers what Jayce is requesting and smirks. “Oh. Fuck. You.”

Jayce cackles at that. “Close enough.”

Perhaps he is unnecessarily worried over Jayce’s psyche then. If he is more preoccupied with accents and joking, then Viktor can play along.

“I must admit, hearing you speak in my voice is quite grating. I, at least, make you sound quite the gentleman.”

“What?! I do not make you sound grating!” Jayce thinks for a second then gasps. “You think the way I speak is grating?!”

“No, no, not at all.” There’s a sudden giddiness warming Viktor's chest and pulling at his lips. Is he… having fun? The lack of pain is definitely doing something for his mood, feeling more himself than he has for ages. “It is strange, hearing your accent in my voice is all.”

“Okay, sure. ‘Strange’ while I barely have an accent and you’re making me sound like an elegant asshole.” Jayce pouts.

“‘Elegant’, hm? I had no idea you found my accent of a higher status.”

“Well… yeah. You do hear yourself when you speak, right?”

“You would be quite amazed to know the number of times I speak to myself just to drown out the abrasive ramblings of others.”

The unamused expression in response lights another spark in Viktor’s chest and he chuckles.

“Do not despair. I am not speaking of you.”

Jayce huffs as if unsure and glances at their surroundings. The people milling around them are fortunately preoccupied in their own conversations and are not even giving them a sideways glance for the moment. Good. Unlike Jayce, Viktor will not give the same patience to anyone who dares invade his space with nonsense.

The attention falls back to Jayce, and the man rubs at his face with his free hand. “Why do you think Professor Heimerdinger would do this to us? Nothing about this makes sense." He flinches. “And he’s a member of the council! Wouldn’t that be an abuse of power with repercussions?”

An unsettling thought. While Viktor is a bit peeved over the current circumstances, his mentor must have the best intentions, albeit ludicrous, but nothing he would want to see punishment over. “I imagine it would not bode well for the professor…”

Jayce nods in agreement. “Okay, so… we keep this under wraps as best we can. Easy enough… but I just don't get it. I didn’t even know he could wield magic!” There’s hurt lacing his eyes. “Why would he keep that from me?!”

Viktor wonders aloud, “It is bizarre.” He experimentally crosses his arms. The extra musculature tight and… riveting. “Most yordles are innate magic users. I have questioned the professor on numerous occasions about his natural talents, yet he avoided such topics with me.” He shrugs. “I concluded he either lacked the magical capabilities or rejected them wholly due to his aversion… Clearly I was mistaken on both counts.”

“What a great time to reveal them then…” Jayce groans as his attention falls back to the sidewalk ahead of them. “And on today of all days… ugh, the competition!”

Viktor interjects with a wave of his hand. “Do not panic! We still have time…”

“I guess… We did start off pretty early and still have the entire day before the final showcase this evening…”

“And Professor Heimerdinger is always present to open and judge the event. We merely meet him with our demands and we are back to ourselves for the showcase.” Viktor stands tall. There is a powerful thrill coming over him with this freedom, but a very... damp freedom. “But… first and most importantly: the hotel. Jayce… I feel there is not a dry inch on your body.”
 
Though Viktor is intrigued by the sticky cling of his clothes not bothering him as much as it should… It is more an inconvenience than outright disgust… 

Another thought comes to mind. The hand touch from earlier. Jayce, who loves touch, nearly jumped out of his skin from a simple handhold that couldn’t have possibly been rough with the tenderness Viktor meant it with…

Oh… 

Dread pools in the pit of his stomach. Touch is very sensitive to Viktor after all.

He looks Jayce up and down with quiet contemplation. There is a slow intake of perplexed recognition on his partner’s face.

“I do feel extremely gross, now that you mention it.” He pulls at the collar sticking to his neck and cringes. Then he stills in horror, dawning realization seconds behind Viktor.

A quick test is needed for himself. Viktor tentatively rubs the side of his neck - an old habit meant for comfort - and notices nothing overly pleasing or calming about it. Just a touch of skin on skin.

Fascinating.

This is decidedly not just Viktor taking on Jayce’s form, but Viktor inhabiting Jayce’s body with its preset functions in place.

He cannot decide if he is excited or terrified.

Jayce

There is a moment of sobering silence between them.

Jayce is hyper aware of the odd experiences thus far. 

The handhold earlier was such an onslaught of overstimulating, yet pleasing pinpricks, he nearly slapped Viktor away in shock. 

And now? 

Jayce is a man accustomed to sweating. It comes with the territories of his body heat running high, growing up in his family’s business, and working in the forge for their projects. But this intense revulsion is gagging him, making his fingers itch to claw himself out of this body covered in a disgusting film of drying perspiration.

His partner appears to be in a similar, yet calmer, state of shock. He rubs along his neck in confusion before pulling away and staring at his hand. A reaction expected and not received? Jayce decides to mimic the motion and a wave of pleasing comfort trails after his fingertips. A right shock of jarring unease as though he just took a misstep down the stairs.

They hold one another’s gaze and open their mouths simultaneously.

“For someone who likes touching-”

“We should head to the hotel!”

While he is experiencing literal magic cast upon him for the second time in his life with all the enthralling effects of childlike wonder, Jayce needs a moment to process without Viktor teasing or questioning him.

Touch has never felt this... intense.

The dismissal of their shared, uneasy experience leaves Viktor perturbed, but he brightens quickly enough when taking in their prototype case and the suitcase. He smiles as he gathers both in the same hold Jayce had earlier. 

Something else to process: having his old Viktor back. But then, that is not right. While this was Viktor as Jayce's mirror image, he was exhibiting behavior Jayce cannot even recall from their early partnership. A contagious wave of excitement rolling off of him in doing a tedious task.

“I cannot express how pleased I am to do this.”

As though Jayce needed the verbal confirmation.

With suitcase in hand and large case in both arms, Viktor exudes a smugness so innocent and tangible, Jayce’s heart nearly melts as he pictures Viktor himself like this.

Unbridled joy…

“Should I-” Jayce tries to take the suitcase in turn like Viktor had for him earlier, but it is quickly snatched away.

“No, allow me. You need to focus on the sidewalk.”

The cobbled walkway looks more torturous from this perspective. Jayce moves very carefully alongside Viktor’s graciously slow pace as he secures his footing with the crutch. While his movements are stilted and unsure, he starts to get the hang of how it works. The right leg is hell trying to bend, but leaning against the crutch provides enough support for him to keep from outright stopping in frustration.

What is more concerning than his leg is the thrumming of painful heat running up his spine with nearly every step. The tight wrapping of something around his midsection is not lost on him. It adds to the unyielding torture, each push and pull of it causing further aches on top of the harsher stabbing beneath it.

How the hell did Viktor deal with this every second of every day? It’s enough to make Jayce irritable in just walking.

He falters mid-step to a soul shattering question: is this the cause of Viktor’s change in behavior?

The shocking realization strikes like a punch to the gut. 

Viktor is a master at concealing everything under lock and key. Instead of simply saying ‘hey, I’m in an ungodly amount of pain, how about you kindly fuck off’ he quite literally tells Jayce to ‘fuck off’ with little else to work with.

“What’s that look for?” Viktor pauses as he looks Jayce in the face. “You are hurting.” He makes a quick visual sweep over Jayce and starts to put down the cases.

“No! You don’t have to do that! It’s just… I didn’t realize you were in pain like this… and all the time.”

“Ah. Yes, well, what is the use in wasting breath and time on it when there are more astounding discoveries in the form of science and magic? Besides, complaining will not cure me.”

“You wouldn’t be complaining! This is actually… pretty bad. We could do something about it!”

“Believe me, Jayce. There is nothing either of us can do.”

“That can’t be true!”

Viktor does not comment further and moves on as if the conversation never happened.

Jayce watches after him, suddenly unable to breathe easily.

They continue down the sidewalk in silence. The constant thoughts of how much pain Viktor suffers through plagues Jayce - and nothing can be done about it? The ache goes bone deep. Whatever disease or deformity Viktor has, it starts in his skeletal structure and has dug its claws into the surrounding muscles and tendons by the feel of it.

And worse yet, there is a hitch to his breathing. A small detail Viktor may shrug off or be none the wiser to given the track record of misery thus far... or it may even be Jayce’s own paranoia to what could be the common cold, but it still figuratively and literally rattles him to his core. It did not feel like being under the weather like Jayce has experienced. Something so foreign and frightening to him: chronic illness.

But he knows the cost it can incur all too well.

All of it is enough to wind into a spiral of self-deprecating blame to never noticing something right in front of his face day in and day out. Or he would if not for Viktor being right beside him to pick his mood back up. 

A glance here and there to his partner does leave Jayce smiling to himself. While he stews on everything working against Viktor, the man himself appears to be having the best day of his life. Every step is taken with such swagger, and the case is lifted higher than necessary - just because he can, - smile wide, and eyes sparkling with life. The sight is so endearing, Jayce wishes to grip him in a hug and never let go.

Even the random civilian comments thrown at Viktor meant as a deterrent, humiliation, or come upon are met with his witty tongue lashings to put the people in their place, never stealing the mirth from him in walking away. Each act strikes Jayce with foreboding, awaiting the onslaught of negativity in a verbal altercation or slandering. His world shrinking a little smaller. But the results do not take as Jayce expects. The speakers merely flinch back and scoff before continuing about their day.

Was... was that all it took? Jayce never had to bend to the ridicule or objectifying? He would not be hated for speaking his mind...

Jayce is awestruck to all of it. How he could be living a completely different life without a constant nagging voice panicking each and every one of his thoughts and decisions.

Viktor glimpses him with a side eye and does a double take. “And what is that look for?”

“Nothing! I’m a bit surprised is all.”

“Of?”

“You easily speak your mind to people, as me, and they… don’t completely lose their heads or threaten you? I never even considered...”

Viktor pauses his stride to this and stares Jayce down. “Please, do not tell me… you fear speaking your mind to these people?”

“Yes! How do I gain a following or secure possible investors if people hate me? Ah! Viktor, careful,” he squawks as their prototype is nearly dropped to the ground.

“But you thrive in all of the attention! I have seen it!”

“Positive attention, sure! I do like the validation it gives me, but… I’m…” Jayce looks down to an upturned stone and scuffs at it with his left foot. “I’m actually… pretty terrified. The thought of failing? I think about it daily. And days like today where I get the negative attention…" Jayce shakes the inner voices from whispering to him. "That’s… why I ran earlier. It became... overwhelming.”

The expression on Viktor’s face is unreadable and Jayce flinches. “N-Not that I’m trying to make an excuse for running off!”

“You did not enjoy that woman’s attempt to seduce you?”

“What? What wo-! You mean Becca? No! She was a nightmare to work with! I got saddled with all the work for that project! And having her appear today is just… an inconvenience, honestly.”

Viktor still has that unreadable expression. Suddenly, he is walking forward again, mumbling under his breath with a scowl.

“What was that?” Jayce moves to not lose pace.

The last thing he wants is another argument because he unwittingly offended his partner. He replays the conversation back in his head to map out where he went wrong, but just like earlier, he comes up empty handed.

“Nothing of importance. However, we have made it.”

Jayce snaps back to attention as they stop before the hotel doors. Finally a moment for peace and quiet to just think. He looks down to his crutch. Surely he could maneuver opening a door for Viktor.

But Viktor has his own plans. He amuses himself by balancing the prototype case on one lifted knee, nearly giving Jayce a heart attack as it wobbles. 

“What are you doing?!”

Viktor grins mischievously at him and secures it with the hand holding the suitcase long enough to open the door to the hotel.

“After you, Jayce.”

And it finally dawns on him: this is Viktor. Who he is to his core if life had only been kinder to him. Who he is with Jayce.

“Thanks…”

Viktor is struck with a look of surprise and Jayce can’t fault him. The high, breathy response and slack jaw akin to a child meeting his favorite hero isn’t something anyone expects from Jayce Talis.

“Jayce…” Viktor smiles warmly and Jayce feels that weird rattle in his chest again, only this time he’s not so sure it’s his lungs. “If you continue to stand there, I fear I may drop the precious Hexgates.”

Jayce is still recovering from his humiliating episode of gawking over Viktor. His partner seemed to take it in stride, though thoroughly amused judging by the smirk he still wears.

 Viktor takes on coordinating the check-in for a room. The conversation is light and easy by the front desk with the hostesses. One blond with glasses and the other a brunette with a ponytail. Both wear matching, professional attire, yet the way they swoon over Viktor is anything but professional.

Jayce pouts further in the lobby, licking his wounded pride and taking stock of the small cafe set up towards the back.

A few couples sit at the tables and chat amongst themselves, glancing his way every here and there. He notes the stares at the walking aid and his leg brace and wants to curl in on himself. He distracts himself further by taking in the atmosphere, a relief he hadn’t known in quite some time while out in public - aside from the unwanted staring of a different nature.

A civilian at a nearby table laughs as he stands to leave his company. He turns, and before Jayce has the opportunity to move, the man bumps into him.

“Ah, sor-”

“What the hell! Watch where you’re-! Oh…” The man does a thorough examination of the crutch and brace.

Jayce is now one hundred times smaller under the scrutinizing gaze, and over something he has no say in, something Viktor has no say in. He opens his mouth to try and apologize again regardless.

“Pfft,” the man mumbles an offensive slur under his breath and shoves roughly against Jayce’s shoulder as he walks by.

The outrageous slur and shoulder-check hits deep and simmers hot to near boiling. Viktor should never be subjected to this type of verbal abuse and treatment. If he were in his own body, this guy wouldn’t be able to freely spout off like this for weeks.

Jayce takes in his crutch. He doesn’t need fists.

Red taints his vision and he takes a step after the man, clutching his aid with both hands in a death grip, nearly blacking out to the now boiling rage spewing over.

“Viktor!”

The sound of his own voice calling out his partner’s name startles the blood-lust from his veins as he turns. Viktor is watching from the front desk, eyes set in a scowl and burning towards the offender exiting the hotel.

Jayce settles with a deep breath and tries on a smile that strains him before he nears the front desk.

“What was that about?” Viktor glares at the hotel doors the man had torn through, looking ready to bolt after him.

“Just some blind asshole with a mouth on him.”

Understanding fills his partner's eyes as his brow sinks further. “I’m fairly certain I can break his jaw with my fists.”

The immediate comprehension of the situation twists his chest into a knot of pain. “How often do you have to put up with awful people like that?”

There is an air of hesitant uncertainty around Viktor and his attention falls to the floor. “Here and there. Zaun taught me quickly to leave those types of animals parading as humans alone.” He glances back up with a smirk. “Though I did get the satisfaction of breaking a few canes over their heads.”

Despite the humorous take, this only continues to tighten the knot in his chest. The thought of Viktor ever sticking up for himself and being met with a physical altercation. It begins to sour his stomach and lights a flaming desire to break something.

“You’ll… tell me, if something like that ever happens to you, right?”

The playful smirk vanishes. “That’s… not exactly something I like to focus on in casual conversation.”

“But I want to know!”

“And I don’t want to relive it or be reminded of my incapabilities.”

The somber tone causes Jayce to flinch, shame freezing over the previous heated anger. While he would give anything to be there for his partner, Viktor has never once exhibited such vulnerability. And that’s understandable, but still… it stings. The distance between them only widens. Jayce can reach his hand out in a show of faith and it somehow pushes them ten steps further apart.

His gaze lowers to the leg brace. “Okay, I… can respect that, but-”

“Thank you for patiently waiting, Mr. Talis! Here is the waterproof stool you requested!” The peppy hostess chimes in. She appears from her back room and sets said object on the counter.

“Ah, thank you.” Viktor easily slips back into his nonchalance as he turns, abruptly ending their deeper conversation.

Jayce sighs in defeat and accepts this is possibly the last time they will ever touch on the subject. Maybe he'll have the chance one day to get on a deeper level with this partner of his... He takes in the new object before them and looks to Viktor in question, but the man is too busy picking up the box and suitcase to notice. 

“Should I-”

A leg of the stool is snatched in the hand not carrying the suitcase in prediction of Jayce’s question.

“Are you… sure you don’t want me to carry something?” he tries in witnessing Viktor's knuckles turning white in his grip around the stool leg.

“Do not take this from me. I am having too much fun.”

And he is serious. Once he has a good grip on the stool, a wide smile stretches from ear to ear. The previous mood of guilt lightens and Jayce smiles in turn as they continue their way to the room.

At least he let Jayce carry the keys…

A short walk to the back of the lobby leads them into a hallway for the rooms. Theirs is located halfway down the hall and Jayce unlocks it and pushes it open. Once they are in the room with their case of the prototype safely secured in the corner, and the stool and suitcase tossed unceremoniously to the floor, the two of them glance at one another in relief to finally take a short reprieve from this already manic day.

The room is plain: one bed with matching tables on either side, a small desk for work, a tiny closet for hanging clothes, a full-length mirror for final wardrobe adjustments, a large window with simple curtains allowing some light to shine in, and lastly, the bathroom.

And then Jayce is struck by the situation - like a magical workshop door exploding in his face.

“So.” He sighs as he sits on the bed and relishes in the feeling of being off his feet. “We were meant to clean up…”

Saying he is a bit shy is an understatement. He doesn’t really understand why. It’s just Viktor and Viktor is a man, same as Jayce. A quick rinse and a chance to freshen up should not cause him such… he isn’t even sure what to call it? ‘Stepping over a boundary’ definitely comes to mind.

“Ah, yes… the reason we are here…” Viktor is still standing, taking himself in through the full-length mirror by the door. He twists and bends in different positions Jayce assumes the man must have never experienced before and he would laugh if he wasn’t so nervous.

“Right, um… it’s not-you don’t-” Jayce takes a breath and tries again. “You’re not… weirded out or anything about me, I mean, us, uh… showering?”

Viktor stops and turns at this. There is a moment of curious calculation as he takes Jayce in and then the point hits him. “Oh, I-er… I suppose it is a bit awkward, but… I have no qualms about it… Do you…?”

“No! I mean, I don’t exactly have a problem. I just-” he groans and puts his head in his hands, hissing when bending over and immediately straightening again. “I guess I just want to be sure it’s… okay?”

Viktor worries over the slight show of pain and nears the bed, softening his features. “Jayce… we are both men. While… embarrassing as it may be, I have no doubts we are both trusting enough to let the other clean up, yes?”

Reassuring enough.

“You’re right, I’m being… silly. Of course it’s fine.”

“Right!” Viktor looks down at himself, taking a step and grinning like it is the first time for the hundredth time. “I think I rather like the idea of taking a stroll while you shower. If you do not mind?”

“Oh, yeah, go crazy.”

The pure excitement and gratitude is so tangible, Jayce wishes he could bottle it and save it for Viktor when he’s in his own body again. What he would give for Viktor to feel this way every day…

“I plan to.” The happy go lucky attitude suddenly drains away into a sullen expression. “I… should assist you before leaving.”

The mood switch concerns Jayce. “I’ve helped you undo and set your brace quite a few times. I believe I can get it on my own.”

Viktor sits beside him, already starting work on the brace. “I am aware. Just… allow me this time. And besides, there is something you have not assisted with and… it requires an explanation.”

The pressure of whatever is wrapped around Jayce’s midsection comes to mind. He had never seen Viktor shirtless or ever heard mention of another device he had to wear, but whatever it is, it is painful. He couldn’t wait to get it off.

As Viktor eases the brace from Jayce’s leg his hands shake. Jayce is too stunned to comment on it as Viktor takes a moment of collecting himself. 

“You may take off the vest and shirt.”

Jayce removes each article of clothing, oddly shy again. Viktor has seen Jayce shirtless plenty of times and this is Viktor’s own body, but the tenderness of this moment treads the line of something with a deeper meaning. His own hands tremble, unsure if it’s spurred on from that thought or Viktor’s somber demeanor.

Once the vest and shirt are removed he examines his midsection. The device around him appears to be another brace. This was... slightly alarming.

“How do you take this off?”

“You do not take this off, Jayce.”

“Then how-? You shower in this?”

Viktor nods. “It is screwed into my spine.”

The bed is swept out from under Jayce. The whole room hazes in his peripherals.

“Screwed into my spine.” 

He sits there, staring at Viktor while the words sink in.

There must be a misunderstanding. He did not hear right.

“Ha… I’m sorry… It sounded like you just said this thing is screwed into your spine.”

“…Because that is precisely what I said.”

“What? When did you get-? Why did this-?” Too many thoughts twist his tongue, leaving him to stutter and fall silent.
 
Everything is much worse than he originally thought. The chasm between them. For Viktor not to share something this serious. 

A memory from roughly a year ago slams into him. Viktor had come to Jayce, stating he needed an extended vacation, possibly a month, maybe more. Jayce had balked, not because of the request for a break, but the length of it. The fear of Viktor finally growing tired of him, his outlandish dream, and the deadlines shook him hard enough to outright ask if any of these reasonings were the cause. But Viktor only laughed and eased his mind that it was a needed reprieve before their work began on the prototype.

And Jayce trusted it was an honest vacation.

Nearly two months.

Coming from Viktor.

Gullible idiot.

Ugly emotions spin wildly. Rage, dejection, guilt. They swirl so close together and mix with this ungodly pain in such rapid motion inside his stomach, he tastes bile. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Viktor pulls back at the desperate yell with wide eyes before glaring and snapping back. “Because it was none of your business!”

Another stinging statement, but Jayce is hot with furry. “No, you’re not getting out of it that easily like the harassment earlier. This is strictly about you and your health, Viktor! Do you really not trust me with something this important after three years?!” His voice cracks and the telling sign of tears sting his eyes with the reality of his words closing in around him.

Heated surprise colors Viktor’s face as he witnesses Jayce coming undone. He loses the bite in his words. “It has nothing to do with trust. I did not want to inconvenience you. You concern yourself with others too easily and there was so much work for you to do in my absence. This is my burden to bear, not yours.”

“‘Inconvenience’?! I concern myself too easily?! I can’t believe-! You are-! We’re partners! And I thought we were friends! Of course I would want to know. First the harassment and now this? I want to support you. The work is nowhere near that important!” Jayce shakes and cannot bring himself to even look in Viktor’s direction. 

Something as monumental as back surgery to be kept under wraps. All the signs were always there. How could he have been so foolish? To never even realize. A vacation! And all the pain since; he just assumed it was Viktor’s leg.

Jayce has never felt this strong sense of being played before and over the least selfish of reasons. Because Viktor knew Jayce would take that time to worry and be at his side instead of working on his dream.

Viktor somehow thought he was less important…

The thought wraps around Jayce’s throat and chokes him.

“Of course we’re friends, Jayce… I…” The vulnerability in Viktor’s voice draws Jayce’s attention back. The normally self-assured facade crumbles down in defeat as Viktor struggles for words and shrugs his shoulders. “I have always relied on myself and only myself for so long. I did not tell you because... well, for lack of a better excuse, that is my life: doing what is needed to survive and moving on. Why should I share? To worry you and take you away from your dream? My fate would not change either way… I apologize. This has upset you far more than I realized it would.”

Hot tears roll down Jayce’s cheeks and it agitates Viktor, his hands fidgeting in his lap nervously on what to do.

“So you just what? Laid in a hospital somewhere alone the entire time? No one to visit or check in on you?”

A stiff nod is his only response.

What a self-sacrificing bastard. Because he could not bear to be an inconvenience.

“For someone so brilliant, you are an idiot!”

Jayce throws himself against his partner, wrapping his arms tightly around him and pressing his face in the crook of his neck. The pain of the sudden movement no longer takes him off guard. What does is an overwhelming sensation of a different kind flowing through him. He thought the handhold was overwhelming. That shadows in comparison to this. His whole body lights up in a buzzing sensation to holding Viktor and he gasps. A void of physical yearning pulls him in, begging for no end, only more.

Viktor does not budge. “Are you alright?” The question is a hoarse whisper.

No.

Why do you do this?

Why do you bottle it all up?

You never mention the pain.

You never mention the ridicule.

You never mentioned the surgery.

You never mention how much you want to be held like this.

Just hug me back already.

I understand exactly how much you want to.

“You…” he grips against Viktor as he struggles through the contradicting and overwhelming need to hold on for dear life and, at the same time, pull away from its intensity.

Jayce always loved touching others. It grounded him, gave him his own form of comfort while also comforting those around him.

Viktor is very different. 

Viktor is not used to physical contact of this nature.

Jayce assumed it was preference.

He was wrong.

Viktor is touch starved.

And this realization along with how lonely his partner must have been for far too long, keeping all of these very important details inside instead of sharing, is all it takes for Jayce to grab hold of Viktor harder and choke on a sob.

“You never talk to me about anything important! Your pain, how you’re treated, your surgery, this!”

Viktor takes this as his cue to return the hug and awkwardly wraps his arms around Jayce. And wow, how that adds to the buzzing hum within, he may be crying for it too.

“Is this too much?”

Jayce rips his head back to face Viktor, attempting to focus on the chaotic desire for touch to numb himself to the hissing pain and emotions fueling his tirade.
 
“Don’t you dare dismiss me! You’re going to start talking to me about what’s going on with you. Maybe you think work is more important, but I don’t! And you are getting a hug at least once every hour because it’s clear to me now how much you want it and need it.”

“I do not-! That is not necessary!”

“It most definitely is! You want to suffer in silence, go ahead, but you’ll find I can get real annoying, real fast. You’re going to wish you started talking to me instead of leaving me in the dark.”

Viktor yanks his arms off Jayce as if burned. “It’s not that I wanted to suffer in silence!”

Jayce pulls back as well, fighting against the need. “Wanted to or not, you did, and over everything! That’s not happening anymore, Viktor. You can’t live like that. I won’t let you.”

Viktor is staring in a combination of embarrassment, shame, and awe, eyes examining as if he is waiting for a punchline, but Jayce gives none. “Okay…”

Jayce wipes the tears from his face and breathes heavily to get his wits back in order. “Alright…” He huffs, completely drained from the tidal wave of information he had just been made privy to and the chaotic emotions that came flooding in alongside it. The guilt is enough to drive him insane. So many things clicking into place about Viktor and their relationship. How did he go this long without ever noticing?

He is a completely self-absorbed dumbass… that’s how…

He tries to breathe steadily and searches the room to find a clock on the wall. The time helps him decide he can continue adding items to his ‘how to take care of Viktor’ list later. 

“We still have time, but I should probably start showering.” He also needed time to just… absorb everything and calm down. The weight of everything happening is dragging him into a pit of despair.

Viktor doesn’t respond. He only stares down at his hands in deep concentration. 

“Sorry I went off on you... I just-”

“It’s fine.”

A tone that says it is anything other than. 

Maybe when Jayce is not emotionally wound up, he can go about this a bit more compassionately. But judging by Viktor’s mood - and their time crunch - they should get back to the task at hand.

“Okay… So, uh… anything I should know about showering with this thing on?” He presses a hand to the front of the back brace.

“Oh, yes.” At least that snaps Viktor out of it. “It’s fine to get wet, just be sure to dry it as best as you can.” He stands and busies himself with grabbing the stool. “And this is so you can shower while sitting. It is problematic for me to shower standing.” He takes it into the bathroom to set up.

All the little details of how Viktor lives from day to day is coming at Jayce in such a flurry, it’s dizzying. Having to go the extra mile just to walk, relax if he can, shower. All while suffering physically and emotionally. He mentally kicks himself for never noticing before, never taking the time to truly check in on someone that meant the world to him.

Things were going to change. His eyes were just ripped wide open to every way in which Viktor suffers alone and he refuses to let it continue. The man is in dire need for support and caring attention, and who better than Jayce to step in? He wonders briefly if Viktor is opposed to the idea of a roommate. Give him a lease and he will sign right here and now.

Viktor leans against the bathroom door frame deep in thought. He catches Jayce staring and leans fully on his right side, kicking out his left leg with an attempt of a smile.

“Okay, I get it, go take your marvelous walk,” Jayce teases.

There’s a moment of slight confusion before it clicks and Jayce almost laughs. Viktor had forgotten?

“You are sure you will be alright? I could stay if you want?”

The thought of being fussed over just for bathing, while sweet, is nonsense and humiliating. Plus, how could Jayce take this away from Viktor? “I’ll be fine. It’s just a shower.”

“If you insist.” Viktor is acting strangely, movements hesitant as he makes his way towards the door, pausing with each step as if to turn and say something, but he doesn’t. Not until he is opening the door. “I won’t be gone for long in the case you do find you need assistance.”

“Yes, mother.”

Viktor smirks at that, but hesitates again with a frown. “Jayce, I… Hm… Thank you.” 

The door shuts before Jayce can respond.

Thank you for what? Surely not his outrage to everything. Even Jayce winces thinking how he went about it. The hug then? Saying he’ll give Viktor more hugs? Promising things will change? Letting Viktor go for a walk?

He supposes it could be a combination of things.

Viktor just needs… love.

This bizarre reversal of bodies and time spent together thus far sits heavy on his heart to how painfully obvious that is now. How long had Viktor been living without love? Not having someone to talk to when receiving cruel remarks, care about him when he’s in pain, support and hold him when he’s feeling down, be there for him when he went through a major life event such as, who would have guessed, back surgery?

Jayce seethes and fights back the remorseful flood threatening to course through him and trace more tears down his cheeks. He thought he was someone in Viktor’s life to provide all of this as they were. How wrong he was…

But everything will change and be perfect now. Every single one of these needs would be filled. Jayce can love Viktor properly and in the way he deserves.

His pulse skips a beat.

Loved properly and deserving in the sense of a caring and supportive friend!

The room is becoming much too hot for him to back peddle from that idea and he shakes his head. Now is not the time to have a crisis over a few simple thoughts. Especially when they are nothing more than innocent in meaning. Towards a colleague, a friend, a brother.

But dear god, just a moment ago he was fawning like a schoolgirl over her crush opening a door for her. That doesn’t happen towards a brother…

Jayce slaps his hands to his face to shock the thoughts from his mind. He has a task at hand and he would rather be done before Viktor comes back. The crisis can be boxed up for investigation later.

The remaining articles of clothing are removed, untying and taking off the shoes and socks, and pulling the slacks down his legs to kick off with a shock of pain. An uphill battle he had not expected in undressing. 

And then there is nothing left but one last scrap: Viktor’s briefs. Jayce snorts at the choice, but finds his hands shaking and unable to take them off. He reaches for the crutch instead. It can be put off until he is in the shower. 

Clutching the crutch and dreading this moment more than he should, Jayce stands and focuses on moving correctly with the aid. The ache of stepping with his right leg is an easy enough reminder of when to lean with the crutch, slowly making his way into the bathroom. 

The choice for bringing a stool dawns on him. There is only a shower available. Jayce opens the glass door, leaning the crutch on the outside wall, and limps to sit on the stool Viktor had placed there for him and looks down at the briefs. An odd sense of shame fills his gut as he maneuvers his fingers along the waistband and adjusts as he pulls them down with a twinge of pain and flings them to the bathroom floor.

He breathes in heavily, staring ahead at the smooth wall of the shower and remembers to turn the dials, flinching as the cold water sprays him until it fully heats to a relaxing temperature. While warming up he curiously looks down at Viktor’s body and exhales in surprise to Viktor being… well endowed.

Something inside him fizzles and short circuits to this development, leaving him to stare down for far too long at the length.

Water drips down into his eyes and snaps him out of the trance. A curse is muttered for being on such a one track mind, and he realizes he had not thought to grab the toiletries beforehand.

Just as he is psyching himself up to move again, he registers a cloth, bar of soap, and shampoo bottle already sitting in the corner of the shower.

Viktor is beyond kind and thoughtful, going the extra mile to make sure Jayce has it as easy as he can. Meanwhile, Jayce is freaking out at Viktor for barricading himself in his own world. Something that should have been handled with a bit more care. His eyes sting, and he rubs at them.

Yes, Viktor’s ill moods are making more and more sense now.

Jayce starts with his hair, massaging the shampoo into his scalp and, finding the action so pleasing against his skull, he rinses and shampoos again. He lathers up the cloth with the soap and cleans his body slowly, hissing when he pays attention to his right leg. 

The deep, aching pain screams at his touches, muscles tensing and straining. He puts pressure into the scrubbing and finds some solace to it after working long and hard for the muscles to calm. 

Another thing he could do for Viktor: give his leg a massage. Though, judging from Viktor’s reaction to hugs, he can guess Viktor will be adamant against it at first. He’ll just have to ease into everything with Viktor to not overstimulate him. 

The massaging begins to feel heavenly. Jayce tries out different amounts of pressure to find what was just right to ease the pain along with shorter or longer strokes. He works on his thigh, then knee, releasing the tension from its angry aches to a duller hum until he arrives to quite pleasant.

One hard roll of his thumb against the side of his knee sends a shock-wave of pleasing stimulation shooting up his leg and directly to his groin, surprising him into nearly falling over.

Unable to help himself, he looks just between his legs and finds his arousal pulsing to attention and bites his lip.

He did not mean to do that.

He continues scrubbing, trying to ignore how he just aroused Viktor’s body, but it seems the more he tries to ignore it, the more it grows with every inch of skin he caresses.

And is he caressing Viktor’s body? 

This touch starved situation is something he had never experienced before and it is brutal. With every touch he is wishing for someone else’s hand and it brings a yearning so deep.

Does Viktor touch himself and wish for someone else every time he showers? Who would Viktor think of if he did?

What would Viktor’s touches feel like? 

A shudder runs through his body and the pulsing ache strains further.

Instead of balling up the cloth to scrub, he open palms it over every inch of skin, slowly kneading over muscles, tightening when he felt tension to help relax. All thoughts escape him in a cloudy haze as he is absorbed into feeling and touching.

By the time he is done, the aching between his legs is abysmal. The one area he has yet to clean and doesn’t know if he should at this point.

He tentatively reaches down and handles the arousal with care. He’s only-

Another shock-wave of arousing bliss rips up his spine to an innocent stroke and he is choking on a groan - the pleasure so intense and painful as his back jerks. He hisses to the combination of sensations and tries to breathe steadily.

This sensitivity is exhilarating and so effortless.

Jayce continues to stroke, mind completely blanking to what he is doing as the addictive pleasure takes over. It builds to such a monumental high and his head tips back with a moan. Even the sound of Viktor’s voice coming out of him does something strange to his now growing libido.

God, how long had it been since he was last able to get himself off this easily?

Never. It has never been this easy. He’s such a pent up, mess of a man…

He can barely think more on it as he quickens his jerking motions, panting heavily as his orgasm builds. He tightens his grip and goes as fast as he can with his strokes, crying out for purchase when a stabbing pain erupts from his groin, shooting up through his spine and down his right leg. He cries out from the abrupt change.

Every bit of pleasure is snuffed out instantly, and Jayce doubles over to the searing heat ripping through his body, white flashes blinding him. Before he realizes what is happening, he is crashing to the floor on his good side. A aching warmth blooms on his shoulder, hip, and leg.

He’s not sure how long he lies there. Only breathing in and out with the water cascading over him and waiting for the torture to end.

As the pain slowly ebbs, clarity also washes over him.

He masturbated in Viktor’s body.

The shame of it has him squeezing his eyes shut and burning hot all over in disgust for overstepping in such a way. 

Karma is a cruel mistress and she keeps coming for Jayce and all of his poor choices today…

Then another sad, awful truth has him choking.

Viktor could barely even pleasure himself without such pain wrecking his body.

Chapter Text

Viktor

The walk from the room and down the hallway is taken with a slow, thoughtful pace.

Their conversation left him raw, yet itching for more. To be in the spotlight to such aggressive compassion, and from the one and only person he desired it. It is a mortifying addiction from just one taste. Leaving the room was harder than he likes to admit.

It was never a question of Jayce caring for him. His partner is a bleeding heart through and through. When Viktor gives him a centimeter, Jayce takes a mile. Or he used to. Until grueling deadlines for the Hexgates dulled him to his surroundings. The growing intrigue to his promise of magic turning heads.

Viktor never blamed Jayce per se, being one to immerse himself in scientific discovery and now the arcane himself. And Jayce is a more complex man than Viktor had originally expected. What was previously seen as ego taking over in regards to the public opinion is a dreamer crumbling inside for the need of positive reinforcement.

And how did this never occur to him? He stood witness to Jayce’s heartbreaking reaction to everyone’s doubt and shunning, his expulsion from the Academy.

It seems Jayce is also someone who wears a mask.

A sorrowful, yet captivating discovery.

A moment of clarity hits him, and he leans against the wall with a pit in his stomach. How long had it been since he could logically think about Jayce like this without resentment hanging over him? 

The pain, the stressful work, his emotional attachment, they all have played their own parts in his irrational behavior lately. Simply removing one of these factors is enough to think rationally enough compared to this morning, yesterday, the last few months, hell, maybe even the last year.

Wasted time where all his partner wanted to do was help had he been made aware…

Jayce does have a point. Viktor is stuck in a time where he was alone and fending for himself, building a psychological fortress since childhood. A necessity no longer essential. A barrier between them causing nothing but hurt and distance. But it is a comfort born from years of habit. It’s much easier to continue as is than breaking down his fortress.

But Jayce has a plan. He is going to take his metaphorical hammer and break Viktor’s sanctum apart, brick by agonizing brick.

Viktor stares a hole into the deep green carpet of the hallway, stomach sinking.

If he felt strongly for Jayce before today, what could he expect when Jayce hones in on him, offers hugs - once every hour?! Surely, that is not a serious threat - checks in regularly, and subjects Viktor into laying himself bare?

Trouble does not even cover it. He will be absolutely fucked.

Viktor rubs his hands through his hair and bites down on his lip to keep from screaming. One hand caresses his neck out of habit, but leaves him with nothing more than a pleasant touch and reeling in question of what to do.

He needs to calm down…

Viktor does his best to block out the anxiety ripping through him as he pushes off the wall. There are better times to revisit this train of thought, not when he plans on using Jayce’s body to its fullest capabilities while he has the opportunity. He walks with a new confidence, determination in keeping a focused mind on his goal as he rounds the end of the hallway and into the lobby.

“Oh, Mr. Talis, is your room to your satisfaction?”

He startles to the question thrown his way and takes a moment to remember that yes, he is Mr. Talis currently. A joyful and damning thought wrapped into one. He turns to see the blond front desk clerk waving at him with a smile.

“Uh, yes! Perfectly amenable to our needs.”

“Oh,” she pouts for a moment before the second clerk pops her head from around the corner. “‘Our’ needs?”

“Well, yes. My partner and I.”

“Partner?” They both ask in unison with a frown.

The brunette tilts her head. “The man before with the crutch and leg brace? He’s your partner?”

Heat rises under his skin, and he says as pleasantly as he can, “He has a name and it is Viktor. And yes, he is my partner.”

The two women look at one another in surprise before turning back to him. “And you mean it as… partner partner?”

The heat floods his face. “N-no, lab partner.”

They both give an exaggerated “Oh” before smiling again. “Of course! That makes more sense.”

Somehow that simple statement from a random, nobody hostess stabs deep.

“Oh? That makes sense, does it? Do tell.”

The women look uneasy and hesitate. “I mean, it’s nothing against your partner.”

“None whatsoever! He just seems a little meek is all.”

“Meek, yes! That’s a good word for it! And well, you’re a growing celebrity in the community. Nearly everyone knows who you are!”

“Exactly! You’re both just complete opposites. And, uh… we have never heard of your partner. I guess he works more in the background?”

“He must! And that’s why it makes sense. He’s just a lab partner.”

Just a lab partner...

Viktor comes unraveled. “He is not just a lab partner! He is an integral part to Hextech, and a great friend, not a background lackey. You will speak of him with the utmost respect.”

Both women look at one another in silent question before the brunette gains the courage to speak up. “Sorry to assume… we meant no harm to you or your… friend.” She gives a soft, secretive smile and a wink.

The look and emphasis made on that last word stills Viktor. The clerks watch as he stares on silently, realizing the mistake just made while impersonating Jayce. Without another word, Viktor spins around to exit the hotel, ignoring the pleas for him to come back. 

He bursts through the doors and steps out on the sidewalk, breathing heavily as his mind spins wildly once again. He leans against the wall of the hotel while he composes himself. 

Navigating conversations with everyday people intrigued by him and hanging onto his every word is not commonplace. That was a major slip in judgment and most definitely out of character for Jayce, who would have laughed it all off.

Surely this will not come back to bite Viktor. It is fine. Everything is fine. He would do well to remember he is Jayce currently and to tread carefully in how he expresses himself. Viktor is easily dismissed, but Jayce? Those women were right. He is a growing celebrity with every move and word dissected. He can see why the man is spun up in tight knots of anxiety at any given moment.

Viktor glances down at his right leg with a sigh. He pushes from the wall and forces the thrill to take over once more.

This is his day to enjoy. He refuses to let anyone get in the way of it.

It is time to further experiment on the wonders of an able body.

Viktor knew Jayce’s body was impeccable before their switch. Healthy, athletic, responsive, and flexible. Everything he always wished for his own. But knowing and experiencing are two separate states of comprehension. 

He starts with a simple walk, moving from the cobbled sidewalk and into the somewhat smoother street towards the event center where the gathering crowds are heading. If he and Jayce had their way this morning, they would already be setting up and speaking on the Hexgates to those already in attendance. Not a huge loss overall when the main showcase started later. 

Viktor skips a couple steps and grins down at his feet.

Absolutely marvelous.

A thought occurs to him and he glances around. The people in the vicinity are busy at vendor booths or in deep conversation. He smiles and spins in place, lifting his left leg while balancing on the toes of his right foot, gliding easily back to standing. 

The long, dead dream of dancing sparks to life within. To step, sway, and spin as he can right now. He vividly remembers a shuffle of feet in his childhood kitchen. A very fond memory of his mother being unashamedly herself in a quiet moment where she thought no one was watching. He recalls the steps and tries to mimic it best he can.

There’s a bit of fumbling involved, but he believes he remembers how it went well enough, taking the steps in an awkward shuffle that is more difficult than he would have imagined. Dancing truly is an art. While he is in a body more than capable of the movements, there is a need for plenty of practice to show the grace his mother had. 

“Oh, oh, Jayce!”

Viktor skids over a stone and trips. He flails his arms in panic, but recovers and rights himself back to standing steadily in a matter of seconds. The wonder of a body with reflexes so quick and saving him a painful fall… He almost forgets the very annoying voice that had called out to him causing his distraction and unbalance.

He turns and that nightmare of a woman, Becca, is upon him, all smiles and knowing eyes.

“Oh, you.” He smirks to himself in repeating Jayce’s earlier fumble of a name.

“Ugh! I reminded you before, it’s Becca!”

“Right.” He feigns indifference and turns away, content in leaving the conversation with that.

“Wait!” Becca catches his sleeve and tugs. “I was hoping I would see you again before the competition and-”

The brazenness has Viktor snatching his arm back while whirling around on her. “Can you not comprehend that I am a busy man?!”

The woman flinches, but does not back down. “Really? Because it looked like you were dancing… Was it the Quickstep? I was thinking maybe you would like a partner? It does take two, you know!” 

“I haven’t the faintest idea, absolutely not, and no, it does not.”

Becca’s face scrunches up in trying to deduce the order of answers to her questions, and she huffs in defeat. “You were nicer to me in class.”

“Hm. A miscalculation on my part.”

“Uh… I forgive you?”

Viktor blinks. “I meant when we were classmates.”

“What? But… I thought maybe there was something between us? Maybe a spark?”

Viktor reminds himself of Jayce’s earlier claims of this woman being a nightmare and tries his best to focus on that and not her hands touching his partner’s arms and laughing.

“There was never ‘something’ between us, Ms. Becca.”

The woman pulls back as if stricken then blinks and gives him a hard once over. “Why are you being so formal? You’re even speaking with a funny accent. What’s going on with you? You’re not the same guy from a few years ago! Not even a couple of hours ago!”

The heat drains from Viktor’s face. He tries to amend these mistakes as best as he can. “Formalities can be used as a way of setting boundaries, Ms. Becca. I do not know you as well as you pretend to know me. Funny how you never even learned of my love for slipping into other accents on occasion. You are surely a self centered type.”

“What?! I-I am not! Of course I knew that about you!”

“You most certainly did not. We can add ‘liar’ to the growing list of reasons you do not deserve my time.” He shrugs his shoulders and notes a carriage coming up the street and heads for the sidewalk as it crawls slowly towards an oblivious and very red faced Ms. Becca.

“You-! You are a terrible person!” She comes charging with hands waving accusingly. “I should have listened to the other girls. They all talk about how you were all charm and no follow through!” 

Viktor raises his brow to this. What was that supposed to mean? He opens his mouth to further add fuel to the fire, but she barely stops for a breath. 

“You’re nothing more than a selfish, cold-hearted asshole who lives for the spotlight just like everyone said! And you’ll die alone with no one but your failed inventions by your side!”

How cruel. Jayce would no doubt break down to such hatred.

Fortunately, she has no idea who she is speaking to. 

“Hm. Does not take rejection well either. I must say, Ms. Becca, you are only further confirming my initial hesitations about you. Your character in letting me do all the work for our project was point one. Tell me, do you come from an affluent or influential House? Because I do not see you as a student of the Academy who came in solely on intellect.”

“How dare you!”

“Jayce Talis?”

A very familiar voice calls to Viktor, jerking his attention back to the carriage now at a complete stop in the middle of the street. Another bane of his existence elegantly steps out of the vehicle in the form of Councilor Medarda.

“Councilor,” he murmurs under his breath. The panic over his accent tenses his whole body.

The regal woman looks down at the still fuming Ms. Becca and smiles, moving closer to Viktor in an attempt to place a hand to his bicep. A clear sign showing ownership if he had ever seen one. He quickly sidesteps it.

Councilor Medarda gives the smallest lift of a brow to him before turning her full attention to the younger woman. “And you are?”

“‘You’ apparently.” Becca makes exaggerated finger quotes. She looks the woman up and down. “And you are Councilor Medarda.” A glance between them. “Let me guess: his secret girlfriend?” she spits out with distaste.

Viktor startles with an immediate answer, “Absolutely not!” and snaps his mouth shut.

Both women give him differing expressions of disbelief and curiosity.

“Mr. Talis is right. I suppose you could say I am more of a supportive adviser in his work.”

Viktor trains his eyes to the ground, willing every particle of his being to freeze in place with nary a hint of a reaction.

“Best to keep it professional.” The malice oozing out of Becca turns Viktor’s insides. “I’ll save you the heartache now: he’s a pig and a selfish lover. I would watch myself if I were you.”

Viktor bites his lip. What a vile woman.

“Hm. Quite an inappropriate and private matter to discuss on a rising scientist to a member of the Council. And so publicly.”

It takes everything in Viktor to keep from snorting a laugh to the dread falling over the young woman.

“I’m only warning you, and he deserves it! Before you showed up he had no problem publicly slandering me!”

Viktor snaps to Ms. Becca’s delusions, “As I recall you were the one putting hands on me and keeping this inane conversation going while I was walking away!”

“I-”

“Now that is concerning. You put hands on the man behind the future of Hextech?”

“But I didn’t!”

Power rushes through Viktor as the faltering woman glances quickly between them before making a noise of disgust and turning on her heel. 

“You know what? Fine. Make up whatever manipulative stories you want! I’ll tell everyone at the Academy that Mr. Talis is exactly as the rumors say!”

The councilor chuckles as the scorned woman fumes and storms off. “That girl is quite the trouble maker. I will take a look at the House she belongs to and write letters to her parents and the Academy both for consideration of suspension. A year off may give her time to reflect.”

Well, this is something. Viktor never would have guessed he could connect with this woman. The quiet and lethal cunning she is capable of is astonishing and relatable; only she has power to back it. Someone to fear and respect.

Councilor Medarda turns, chuckling still. “A lover’s spat? Truly? I was not aware you took interest in anything you could not break apart and rebuild by hand.”

Viktor points at the retreating Ms. Becca and tries to relax his speech to mimic Jayce. “That is no lover of mine, I can guarantee you.” The stilted rhythm is more akin to holding back a cough than speaking.

Councilor Medarda stares through him, eyes flashing and unreadable.

“Hm. Then an old acquaintance gone sour?”

At least she is kind enough to ignore it.

“Hardly. Her name is still a fleeting thing.” He mentally kicks himself. Jayce tends to speak more casually as well.

The councilor stares him down a moment longer and moves to put a hand on him again. Viktor responds by taking another step back. Her eyebrows rise slightly. A test failed.

Damn it all, he is terrible at this.

“Are you quite alright, Jayce?”

Familiarity. The mental cracks reverberate through his body, resulting in tense muscles aching to run. “I am fine.”

“You seem out of sorts. Forgive me for saying so, but your speech and even the way you carry yourself is… unusual. Did something happen?” 

“It has been a stressful day. Our carriage lost a wheel earlier.” 

The Councilor’s calm facade slips and she searches the area. “Where is Viktor? Is he quite alright?”

“Viktor is also fine.”

He does not meet her hard gaze taking him in. He has an inkling this woman can somehow see straight into his soul with direct eye contact.

“Then where is he?”

“We sat in a hot carriage for a good ways. Cleaning up came first before heading to the event center, so we rented a hotel room.”

“And Viktor is cleaning up at this time?”

“Yes.”

“And what are you doing out here?”

“I did not realize this was an interrogation.”

“I am not interrogating, only asking questions. You are acting strangely, you say you had trouble - an accident no less, - you’re out and about reacquainting with an old classmate and your partner nowhere in sight. It’s… curious, don’t you think?” 

Viktor grits his teeth and tries to find an excuse for it all, but she continues on.

“I do not recall many instances of finding one of you without the other. Wherever Viktor goes, you go, and vice versa.”

“We do not shower together, Councilor, if that is what you are insinuating,” he deadpans. 

Councilor Medarda barks a laugh behind a hand. “No, I expect not.” She hums and gives him an endeared look, effectively clenching his stomach to the sight. How it speaks volumes. “Well, I am relieved you are both quite alright,” she gives a small exhale as she steps back towards her carriage. “I expect to see you very soon then. Do not be late. We have been awaiting this grand reveal of yours.”

Viktor gives a half-hearted wave when she rolls off in her carriage and curses under his breath. Being Jayce is exhausting. His notoriety takes the excitement out of something as simple as a walk. To be stopped by every other passerby earlier and have the unfortunate timing of bumping into not one, but two women who seem more than happy to stay in his presence.

Strike Ms. Becca. There will be little hearing of her ever again. A great accomplishment, if nothing else.

Though Jayce assuredly has a line of women at his door. The possibility of options, or all of them if he wishes. Reflecting on Ms. Becca’s gossip sours his stomach and leaves him questioning the merit behind it. Jayce is a young man after all with undoubtedly an appetite needing to be satiated at times. Those comments of 'no follow through' and a 'selfish lover' give him pause, however. That is not how he ever imagined or fantasized his partner to be.

It's nothing more than a cruel rumor mill. He has to believe that. Something bored girls created in having their affections denied. A situation Viktor would never like to find himself in: to be impossibly open and holding out his heart with hopes of a forge formed hand to reach out and cradle it? He knows better than to even try with the likes of Jayce Talis. A man so far beyond Viktor with every other woman clawing at him, likely falling into their beds because why wouldn't he? Viktor sighs and shuts those thoughts down before the bitter contempt finds him. 

Jayce has been nothing short of exemplary in their equal partnership and friendship. His earnestness and clear upset over Viktor’s multiple issues and clear desire to assist is immeasurable. Despite knowing this to his core, Viktor cannot stave off the negativity. Because no matter how much Jayce wants to help, he will never give Viktor that last piece of himself.

He traces his fingers up his neck and finds it still does nothing to soothe him.

He could not leave Jayce any longer though. What if he should have needed help after all? And Viktor was gone much longer than intended.

He hangs his head with a sigh and begins his quick march back to the hotel.

After successfully avoiding conversation with the front desk clerks, Viktor enters their hotel room with a heavy groan. Every interaction today is more like a toll, requesting a piece of his soul and sanity in exchange for passage. If the time was not ticking away so quickly, he would fall face first into a pillow.

He makes a quick examination of the room. No Jayce. 

Odd, he was gone for quite some time thanks to all the busybodies.

The bathroom door is closed and there is a faint sound of water running. There is no reasonable explanation for Jayce to take this much time.

Fear catapults Viktor into action. He was gone far too long.

“Jayce?!”

Viktor easily barges into the bathroom, adrenaline fueling his exhausted mind into conjuring horrible and improbable images of mangled gore.

Jayce jumps in surprise and winces. The glass door to the shower is open as though he has tried to exit and failed. He is sat upon the stool, grasping at it with shaking hands, body quivering in exhaustion to being overextended. Viktor knew it too well. 

“You are alright…”

How long had he been like this? And what happened? He had been so sure of himself before Viktor left… At least he is not concussed and bleeding out from a head wound…

“I-uh-” Jayce makes a timid show of trying to cover himself.

“Jayce… It is my body. I am well aware of my anatomy. Do not push yourself further. You appear unbalanced as is.”

“Oh, yeah, of course. Sorry…”

Viktor makes a mental note of Jayce not meeting his gaze. 

It had been curious earlier when his partner nervously asked about showering, but he assumed it being an awkwardness anyone would feel in a similar scenario. Perhaps this is still the case and Jayce is more prudish to nudity than Viktor would have thought?

He moves tentatively towards his partner to not cause more duress. His eyes search for any wounds and it does not take him long to catch the signs of bruising along his good leg, hip, and shoulder.

“You fell…”

“Y-Yeah… your right leg… it uh, started hurting pretty bad and I fell off the stool. Sorry…”

Another unprompted and unnecessary apology. Viktor feels them more than he hears and bites down on his lip to keep from demanding Jayce to stop. 

A tremor shakes through his partner, and an instinctive desire burns deep in Viktor, hands itching to touch, hold, caress, and nurture this man back to himself. He barely gives it thought before offering, “May I assist you?”

Jayce finally meets his eyes, but it is short lived and immediately falls back to the floor. “That would be nice.”

The shower is quickly shut off and Viktor snatches a towel to cover Jayce’s shoulders. He scoops his partner up, sweeping one arm beneath his legs and cradling his back with the other, removing him from the bathroom.

A quiet calm Viktor has never experienced in touching another person settles deep in his chest. His body has a mind of its own: thumbs rubbing in comfort and cheek pressing to the top of Jayce’s head, seeking to provide the same comfort he feels.

How Jayce experiences touch. Their hug earlier was similar, soothing him whereas his own body would have been a chaotic stream of warm pinpricks and desire.

“What happened to cause my leg to hurt you so terribly?” He lightly places Jayce on the bed and wraps the towel further around him for his privacy.

“Well… I-um…” The pale skin of his cheeks are turning a bright red. Amber eyes dart wildly between the bedside table and floor.

The small bits of information in the form of Jayce Talis being overly shy, indirect, and apologetic start to collect together and form a picture.

No… it could not be.

A very lewd and impossible thought strikes Viktor into such a stupor, he finds himself outright asking, “Did you discover how sensitive I am?”

Jayce whips his head around with wide and pleading eyes. “No! I mean-I-I did figure that out, but I swear, Viktor, I didn’t mean to!”

Well then. Quite the development.

Viktor finds it hard to distinguish anything. All thoughts cease as he stares down at his partner. Jayce. His Jayce. In his body. Viktor’s body. Pleasuring himself.

A slight heat fills his gut at the imagery of Jayce in control with hands intimately touching Viktor by technicality. A very damning thought. He swallows hard and closes his eyes to make an attempt at processing.

“Viktor… please speak to me. I get it if you’re mad, I really do, just… say something.”

A very wicked thought blooms to life at Jayce’s plea. When he opens his eyes again, Viktor schools a calm, but scolding expression. “While I loathe the thought of you being injured, I must say… that is quite a vulgar act. And without my expressed permission, no less.”

The mess of guilt and remorse embodying his partner crumbles to pieces before Viktor and he winces to the sight.

“I know, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to! It’s just-I was showering and was fine, but your body is so wound up and tense and I was only trying to unwind from it all, and you’re-you’re very sensitive! It just happened.”

“Mm-hm. I am sure. My body is in a constant state of ‘wound up’ with, as you experienced firsthand, few options in relieving it. It does not pardon you regardless.”

“Please, I know this is a betrayal of your trust and I do feel terrible about it… tell me what can I do to make this right?”

Perfect. Viktor was betting on this.

“I suppose… should you grant me the same privilege… I would consider it just repayment.”

The near tearful expression on Jayce’s face freezes in shock. The air is thick and tense between them. Viktor steels himself with every ounce of control he has to keep from breaking down and retracting his statement immediately.

“Y-You want to get off in my body?!”

A nearly strangled noise comes from Viktor’s throat, and he coughs to cover it. “You ask as if you did not attempt such a thing in my body. At least I have the decency to ask for consent.”

“I-! You-! Hnnn!”

“How articulate. You may say no. However, I will never forget this.”

They hold one another’s gaze in a heated stalemate; Jayce looking ready to fall to the floor while Viktor stands his ground. 

“O-okay! You can… do it…”

The acceptance lifts an uneasy weight from Viktor with a rush of excitement. He locks and bolts his mask down tight to keep from expressing it. 

“You have my gratitude. It has been… quite some time since the rapid decline of my body.”

Jayce pulls the towel over his head and Viktor holds his breath to not whine at the adorable action. “Yeah… you’re welcome… I imagine it is beyond frustrating and upsetting. Along with everything else you have to deal with.” He pauses in thought and continues, “You should know… ah… Maybe you won’t have an issue, but I…”

The silence goes on for so long, Viktor tilts his head in question to it. “You…” he prods on.

Jayce sighs heavily and removes the towel to let it fall into his lap. “Sometimes when I’m really stressed, I… tend to think too much and can’t get it up or get off. It’s been happening for a while, so… I’m not sure how this whole thing,” he waves a hand between them, “works being in each other’s bodies, but I thought it would be good to know. So you don’t feel bad if you can’t… you know.”

Viktor is oddly stirred with empathy over the subject matter. For Jayce to have an issue as unfortunate as being stuck in his own mind and unable to perform even for himself. How… human. Not something to be expected from the self-assured Golden Boy, high up on his pedestal. The distance between them no longer seeming too far out of reach.

“Ah… that is quite a predicament. We each have our issues with it then.”

“I wasn’t meaning to compare! I just… I’d feel bad if you expect it to just work and my body, for whatever reason… doesn’t.”

Viktor smiles wryly. “Do not worry. I imagine I will have little trouble in clearing my own mind.”

Jayce looks down to his lap and comes to terms with his very naked state with a flush. “I guess I should get dressed and… let you get to it then.”

The poor man winces as he lifts the towel with his bruised arm to dry the other. Viktor tuts and enters the bathroom to grab another towel. When he comes back, he climbs onto the bed behind Jayce and slings the towel over his partner’s head with a chuckle at the flinch and yelp.

“W-What are you doing?”

“Helping you. You are hurt and sore. Not one for hiding pain very well, are you?”

Before Jayce can respond, Viktor grips the towel and presses against his scalp to massage firmly. A pleasing torture for Jayce to endure, and Viktor’s mischievous grin widens with every slow and deliberate caress made.

“There.” He removes the towel and admires with a snort of a laugh to his handiwork of spiked hair pointing in all directions.

“T-Thanks…” Jayce mumbles, but does not comment further. He resumes drying off his front now that he’s no longer a victim to Viktor’s torment. 

Viktor busies himself with meticulously and tenderly drying off the back brace, it being too much of a chore for Jayce with sore limbs. 

When he finishes drying where he deems appropriate, he climbs off the bed and reaches for their suitcase, removes his clothes, and spreads them out on the bed.

“Are you helping me so I’ll get out of here quicker?”

“What? Of course not! You would do well to remember I have been helping you all along.”

Jayce pouts slightly as he begins dressing in silence.

The process is much slower than Viktor is used to, but he allows Jayce to complete this task himself while keeping his own focus trained on the windows. Keeping down his own excitement to the permission given is eating at him. It takes every bit of focus to numb his brain by watching the shadows of people cross by the window and he finds himself trying to determine what type of cloth the curtains are made of. When he hears the telltale sound of the leg brace being worked on, he snaps back to assistance once more.

“Are you… hurt badly?”

Jayce glances from their finished work on fastening his leg brace. “Oh, well, I am a bit sore like you said, but I’m okay.”

Viktor nods. “Do you think you are able to move on your own?”

“It’s not like I broke something. I just… fell. I think I will be fine.” As if to test this, Jayce snatches at the crutch and stands with it, taking a few steps. “Perfectly fine.” He turns his head and quirks a brow. “I suppose that’s my cue to get out, huh?”

“Yes, I suppose it is.” Viktor tries not to smile from the growing hum of anticipation lighting up every nerve in his body.

The expression on Jayce’s face is faraway and thoughtful. “Right. I’ll wait for you down in the lobby then.” Something in his tone is subdued and eats at Viktor worse than the anticipation.

“Jayce.”

His partner turns from exiting the room.

“Just say you don’t want me to do this.”

Jayce shrugs half-heartedly. “I mean, fair is fair, right? I just… hope it works out better for you.” His face flushes as he exits the room.

Viktor watches the closed door, counting the seconds until he is sure Jayce had enough time to leave the area before he is all but ripping his clothes off and hopping out of his pants. He snatches the Hexcrystal case from the pants pocket and tosses it into the suitcase of clothes and glimpses the full length mirror with a pause in movement. A wild, perverse idea sparks a flaming heat to life.

He rushes to the shower and turns the knobs. While he waits for the water to heat, he looks down to the boxers. The lack of arousal despite his stimulated emotions and erotic, mental imagery is bewildering. Nothing he cannot wrestle into submission, however.

Jayce would be treated with the utmost dignity and respect… after this depravity he is about to enact on his body. Viktor truly used Jayce’s poor choice to the fullest extent, but shame did not touch him. Not after the pain caged and warped his own body into a shriveling creature with difficulties to meet even the more baser of needs.

Viktor removes the last of his clothing with breathless anticipation. All the wondering in every visit to the forge where sweat beaded and trickled down bronzed skin to soak into the waistband of pants his eyes would dart down to.

Now Jayce is bare and all his to behold.

While Viktor himself is larger in length, Jayce is still of a good size with a wider girth. Absolutely perfect. Even as flaccid as he is, Jayce is a man to marvel over. He licks his lips and shakes his head back to focus and step into the steaming shower.

The process of showering is typically slow and demoralizing. A reminder of his limitations. With the benefit of energetic mobility and a goal in mind, Viktor makes this a record-breaking five-minute endeavor. Though it is hard not to bask in the feel of every inch of skin and hair, he scrubs hard and fast to save precious time for the main event.

He shuts the water off and dries himself just as quickly, dragging the towel over his hair as he leaves the bathroom.

The full length mirror reflects Jayce back to him, completely nude with only the towel cascading down his large shoulders. Those intense golden eyes burn into him with a hunger so deep, his knees shake.

A glorious sight of the Golden Boy trembling before him.

Viktor steps closer to the mirror, letting the towel trail down his shoulders and fall to the floor. He exhales heavily, all the pent-up desire showing through a slight pulsing of Jayce’s dick. He looks back up to the hazel eyes, shining with such warmth and dilating with need. How he could stare into them without a care for much else and be content.

The majestic beauty of this man is so unfair. A tease always within reach.

Viktor raises his hands to the mussed hair and pulls at the locks. This gives little stimulation for an erection as well, further frustrating Viktor. He twines his fingers around the hair and yanks hard with a gasp. A hot spark there.

Viktor grins at the mirror.

“You like it rough, Golden Boy? How enticing.”

Viktor loosens his hold and pets through the hair, finally allowing himself to relish in the silky smoothness he always wondered over, but never dared to touch. His fingers glide over the buzzed sides with astonishing discovery of the softness there too, massaging the area more for the sensation against his fingertips than anything else. A rough raking through the damp locks with a shake allows him to obsess over an unkempt Jayce, staring back at him.

He trails his fingers down Jayce’s neck and collar bone, keeping an agonizingly slow pace to memorize the feel of every inch of skin he touches. He grasps the hardness of the pectorals before curiously thumbing circles around the nipples. He clasps his forefingers and thumbs together, squeezing and pulling tightly with a gasp. A shock of electricity zaps through his nervous system and directly to his dick, stirring it to life with a pleasing throb.

“That’s good, Jayce, so good,” he rasps out. 

The hooded hazels peer at him, and fuck, did Jayce have the most gorgeous bedroom eyes. Viktor reaches a hand out for his fingers only to brush glass. He bites his lip with a pitiful whine.

“Damn it…” 

He pulls his hand back and caresses Jayce’s cheek, squeezing his eyes shut.

What a blessing and a curse this is.

Hands wind further down in exploration, past the pectorals, committing every dip of his abdominal muscles to memory and stills. He looks back into Jayce’s eyes.

“I will please your body, Jayce.”

He grips around the arousal, savoring the silky-smooth feel, the girth, the slight pulse to it and exhales a shaky breath. He tugs once, twice, getting little response and grunts. 

No, Jayce is not sensitive at all. He falls into a rhythm of pumping his cock, panting to the effort and braces himself on one side of the mirror. He tightens his grip to near painful and quickens his pace - yanking in such a way that his own body would have instantly shut him down, - arousal finally hardening and he breathes a laugh.

“You do like it rough!” He looks back into Jayce’s eyes. “Filthy… I love it.”

Viktor needs more. He wants to feel more of Jayce. See more. All of Jayce. He removes his hand from the mirror and sucks on three fingers, watching the mirror as he forces them back into his throat and chokes around them. Molten gold grows bleary as tears form.

There would never be a moment again where Jayce cried before him if not but for how pleased he is. Just like this with Viktor’s fingers coating themselves down Jayce’s throat. He moans at the sight staring back, heated and wanting for more.

He removes the slicked fingers and reaches back, spreading Jayce’s cheeks and circling his hole with a hesitant finger, mind faltering on what he is doing before the fog of promised pleasure blocks it out, and he presses into Jayce with a whimper. The tight and painful sensation sends more shocks of arousal up his spine and his dick throbs, precum beading and trailing down the head.

“Oh, fuck, you enjoy this!” 

Viktor presses in deeper, the pain twisting into a blissful heat. He drops his hold on his very hard and pulsing dick to brace against the mirror again as he presses as far inside Jayce as he can with one finger, panting out curses in mercy to the agonizing pleasure ripping through his body. 

“You were made to be fucked.” 

The absolute wreck of an expression on Jayce’s face strangles a moan from him. He adds a second finger with a harsh thrust and nearly falls to the floor. 

“I would fuck you so good, Jayce. I would fuck you until you could barely cry my name.”

He scissors the fingers inside with a sob, the inner walls loosening in all the best and worst ways, but Jayce’s body takes it and adjusts so perfectly, reacting with another throb of pleasure, tears streaming down his cheeks. Gorgeous and all Viktor's. He inserts the third finger, shoving into Jayce relentlessly to chase this beautiful pain to conclusion.

Another thought... He calls out in desperation, “Viktor,” pronouncing his own name just as Jayce would. The sound nearly orgasmic by itself, that tight and hot ball of his core building. He continues to cry out, pushing deep until he found that perfect spot in need of his affectionate touch and thrusts against it with wild abandon. His orgasm swells to a tipping point, and with one final thrust and a curl of fingers he sees stars.

The climax shakes his whole being with a jerking thrust of hips, cum splattering the mirror in thick strands, and erotic groans and pants of Jayce’s voice crying out in bliss-filled pleasure filling the room.

Viktor removes his fingers and collapses to his knees, barely registering how there’s no pain in it and breathing shaky as he collects himself.

A sob rattles out of his chest. All the sensations mixed together perfectly, the best he had experienced in god knows how long. If ever. It is completely different feeling pain and getting off on it instead of crumbling to it...

A tight ball of remorse grips tightly around his heart and squeezes, knocking a mournful cry out of his lungs. He looks back up to Jayce’s tear-streaked face. All that beauty glistening before Viktor, and yet, still so far from his hold.

“Why can’t you see how much I love you?”

Chapter Text

Jayce

Sometimes staring into the abyss is the sort of catharsis needed to clear your mind - or the perfect temptation that makes you dive in headfirst. The need to outrun the eyes staring back into your soul and take the fated plunge. Jayce is not too sure where he lands, but it’s somewhere skimming that line in-between.

The cafe at the back of the hotel lobby is a small area, only wide enough to hold five tables with a small bar to order drinks and the host busying himself in a back room. Jayce sits at the table closest to the windows. All the other tables are sparse of their previous patrons with the excitement of the Distinguished Innovators Competition looming ever closer.

The silence is a ringing in his ears he cannot shake away.

Every self-deprecating thought from today comes bubbling up to the surface without his partner’s presence to ease it. He stares through the decorative, tiny vase of baby sunflowers sitting on the table, a sight much too cheerful for his decaying mood.

How could he call himself a friend and partner to Viktor? It’s no wonder he would rather bite Jayce’s head off most days over reasoning with him. The complete lack of compassion and trustworthiness is more befitting a self-serving scumbag than a caring friend or even a scientist whose whole purpose is to create for and serve others. And that’s it, isn’t it? He had sucked himself so deep into his dream that all he could see was the arcane shining brightly and blinding him to what really mattered, what is right in front of him, who he is doing this with - for even.

Viktor.

Jayce winces and shudders.

He has singlehandedly destroyed everything. Crossed a line that he - and now Viktor - would not be able to come back from. And for what? Because Jayce couldn’t handle keeping his hands off of Viktor after experiencing pleasure in his body?

Three years together - possibly the best relationship he has ever known - down the drain because of hormonal stupidity.

Viktor had been so shocked and disappointed. Of course the only justice in the situation would be for him to-

No, not going there again. This is time to reflect on himself and his moral ineptitude. Not to ponder on what his partner is currently doing in their hotel room. To his body. He cannot stomach another second agonizing over it.

And strangely enough, Jayce isn’t upset exactly. Not in a way of anger or revulsion.

It is just so… intimate.

Jayce leans over the table, covering his face as his mental crisis cares little for being boxed up and thrown into a corner.

Running his hands back and through his hair gives a burst of pleasing pinpricks to the pull. He trails both hands down his neck, letting the soothing waves pulse and settle over him in a sense of calm.

Did Viktor ever share these personal details about himself with anyone? A romantic partner surely? For someone in such dire need for physical touch, he had to, right? Telling whomever laid in his bed how pleasing it is to touch his scalp, neck, or - Jayce rubs at his right leg in a hard massage - how wonderful it is to have the sore and tense muscles worked on? Perhaps that is a work around that could help should Viktor want to please himself or be pleased by another? 

It’s odd, but Jayce finds himself itching to offer that to Viktor the more he thinks on it. His cheeks heat instantly. Just a leg massage! Nothing untoward or-

“Hello there, uhm, Mr. Viktor, right?”

Jayce jumps and glances over to the brunette hostess from the front desk.

“Uhm, yes…”

“Are you enjoying the accommodations?”

“Oh, yes, of course. Thank you.”

Something in her smile is strained and Jayce puzzles over it.

“Good! I was worried… you looked to be… a little overwhelmed, if you don’t mind me overstepping and checking in?”

What a thoughtful and kind woman. Hospitable to the nth degree. 

“Oh, no, that’s really kind of you! I’m alright, just… tired. It’s been a long day.”

“I imagine so for such accomplished scientists on the day of the competition! Mr. Talis seemed to be out of sorts as well.”

“What? He did?”

Hadn’t Viktor been happy when he left earlier? Had Jayce’s… one-sided conversation in taking care of himself truly been upsetting after all? But Viktor had thanked him before leaving! Was he being polite to the concern, but internally seething over Jayce demanding so much? Is he reading everything wrong?!

The spiral of anxiety takes hold to yank him back into the abyss.

“Oh, no! He is okay, don’t worry. We just never had a conversation with him before and didn’t expect his level of… passion?”

Jayce squints at the hostess. What kind of conversation did they have with Viktor? They had been flirting with him earlier… Had Viktor welcomed it without Jayce around? The thought unsettles him, but he shakes it off into the ever growing crisis box.

“Well he is a very… eccentric man. It sort of comes with the territory.”

“Yes! We talked about that after he left too! Not what we were expecting at all, but it was… very sweet. I must say, you’re so lucky to have him as your partner and friend,” she gives an over-exaggerated wink.

“Yeah, I am…”

What had they been talking about?

There is movement over the hostess’ shoulder and it catches his eye. Viktor enters the edge of the lobby with the prototype and suitcase in arms, appearing… downright depressed. Jayce’s brow pinches in concern. Could his own issue have resulted in such disappointment of this magnitude?

Viktor closes his eyes and releases a breath. When he opens them again the dour expression is replaced with his typical calm. It is fascinating, yet alarming, how he can slip into neutrality so effortlessly. To see Jayce’s own face with the expression, it comes off as sharp, intimidating authority. A first since they had swapped places and it is uncanny.

“What is it?” The clerk questions with a turn of her head to see what is distracting Jayce. “Oh, Mr. Talis! Do you need assistance with those?”

The question calls Viktor’s attention to the hostess, then beyond her, and their eyes meet. That neutral mask slips and Jayce watches in curious amusement as Viktor rounds on the hostess as if to scold her, speaking too low for Jayce to catch.

Secrets?

The thought rolls his stomach in a sickeningly uncomfortable way, but he can’t bring himself to tear his eyes off of them. 

The woman shakes her head and waves her hands quickly, and Viktor slouches with a sigh. He glances to Jayce once more before turning to the hostess and conversing as he props the prototype on his knee to hand over the suitcase and the woman grins with a flush at the action.

A sharp heat carves into Jayce’s chest. Surely Viktor isn’t pulling that show of masculine stability to impress the hostess? He catches himself mid-panic. No, of course not. That’s the easiest way to juggle the items. Nothing to stress about. Nothing to be… whatever this is…

Into the crisis box he tosses it.

With a nod and a smile, the clerk takes the suitcase and heads back behind the front desk.

Viktor adjusts the large case back in his arms and turns to walk over to Jayce.

“What was that about?” Jayce tries to ease into conversation as casually as possible. 

The case is set down by the table with care.

“There is no need to carry our suitcase. We can leave it here and retrieve it later.”

“Yeah, that part I get. What happened before when the two of you looked to be in a panic and whispering?”

Viktor stares blankly down at Jayce before focusing on the prototype case again. He shoves it with his right leg to move it closer to the table and takes the seat across from Jayce very slowly.

“I was concerned she may have been… a little over accommodating.”

“Does it have anything to do with the conversation you had with her before?”

“So she did say something!” Viktor glares over at the desk and stands.

“Whoa, calm down!” Jayce laughs as he grabs at Viktor’s arm to keep him from leaving. “She didn’t say anything about your conversation. She was really nice actually. Said I was lucky to have you as a partner and friend.”

Viktor tenses as he takes his seat once more. “Ah.”

That is not the response Jayce was expecting. 

Your partnership is effectively voided.

Viktor will leave you.

And you have no one to blame but yourself.

Jayce strains not to shout right in Viktor’s face in panic. But he needs to do something. Anything he can to grasp and sink his nails in deep to keep Viktor from slipping away. 

“And I am lucky. So lucky! You’re the best friend and partner I could ask for.”

Viktor is back to his unreadable state, staring down at the table.

Jayce shrinks back into his chair, heart sinking with him.

He waited far too late to fight.

“I am lucky as well, Jayce.” A gentle smile pulls at Viktor’s lips, but it does not meet his eyes. A solemness is there, staring back at him.

“Then why do you look so sad?”

“Sad?” Viktor blinks and the emotion is gone. “I am not sad.”

The rapid change baffles Jayce, leaving him blinking and stuttering, “But-ugh… n-nevermind.”

Viktor reclines against his chair and offers a lazy shrug of shoulders. “The day has been demanding. Perhaps a trick of the light has you confused.”

That is believable. Almost believable. If the slightest of smirks wasn’t tugging at Viktor’s lips. And how it whispers that maybe there’s still a chance to fight for this, for them. But there is much work to be done if he’s to come out on the other side of this with their relationship unscathed. Because Viktor does not understand where Jayce is coming from.

Viktor would rather play games with Jayce’s concern over his well-being to hold them at arm’s length. Still relying on his old survival skills to barricade himself, but why? Jayce cannot be sure. Viktor admitted he trusts Jayce, so why not trust him with anything deeper than work? 

Jayce will just have to play this game of Viktor’s if their relationship is at stake.

And too bad for Jayce because the only thing he can imagine making Viktor so upset is laying in a box in the recesses of his mind, but this is fine…

Viktor is worth feeling uncomfortable.

“So,” he coughs into his hand - the action being more wet than it should, - playing as casual as he can, “how was it in the hotel room?”

The drastic change of subject effectively knocks Viktor off guard. Jayce internally grins at this rare display of his partner spluttering and turning red. If only they could switch bodies this instant for Jayce to witness Viktor himself unraveling. That would be hysterical, and quite endearing. But Jayce has a pretty good imagination.

Viktor clears his throat, eyes taking in the window and darting side to side as though trying to piece together the solution to an extremely infuriating equation on their blackboard instead of commenting on a private matter. The awareness of both being equally difficult, yet one an outlier in experience, is not lost to him and has Jayce leaning against the table in curious anticipation of the response.

“It was…” Viktor finally faces Jayce and sighs before falling back into his routine of calm calculation. “It was quite satisfying.”

The simple statement after such intense inner deducing would normally have Jayce in stitches. Instead, his cheeks heat as he tries to exert the same semblance of calm. 

“So you were able to, uh, finish? My issue wasn’t a problem?”

Viktor’s stare is blank. Something is whirring in that mind of his.

“It did require a bit of effort…” He clears his throat again and looks away with his admission.

The crisis box nearly implodes from the hurried packing of imagery created from that comment.

His lack of response has Viktor tapping against the table before diving back in to fill the silence. “It is quite interesting. The differences. What exactly is your ‘issue’?”

The way the question is worded strikes Jayce like a slap to the face. 

“I did not mean to offend! I only stated as such because you mentioned it being an ‘issue’…”

Of course Viktor wouldn’t have meant harm, but the sting came all the same. Jayce tries to settle down. 

“I don’t know, honestly…” How does he even describe it? It’s completely demoralizing to think about, let alone put into words, but Viktor’s curiosity and lack of judgment lightens the heaviness he typically feels on the subject. “I used to not have a problem, but as soon as stress became more commonplace and I felt the need for that kind of relief? I would psyche myself out or something, and it seems like I can never get there and, ugh,” Jayce glances around nervously to ensure no one is overhearing them. When noting the hostess going about her business and the host from the bar never emerging from his own back room, he continues, focusing on the tiny yellow petals of the sunflower in front of them, “I get performance anxiety pretty bad when I’m with someone. It’s humiliating.”

There’s a tsk that has Jayce looking back up to furrowed brows and a heat in Viktor’s eyes. Is it disappointment? It must be. He had witnessed it plenty of times. While Jayce knows it has nothing to do with him - hopefully, - it still flings him back to a time where he lived in his Academy dorm room with mounting shame.

“And I assume whomever it was you took as a lover said you have ‘no follow through’?”

Jayce’s shoulders come up as he begins to curl in on himself with memories of disembodied voices crowding around him.

“You’re just a load of charming bullshit and no follow through!”

“What’s wrong? Are you not attracted to me?”

“Let me guess? You’re into men.”

“Yeah, I… I have heard that before.”

“And they would not try to work through it with you?”

Jayce lightly shrugs. “Not really. I mean, it’s been a while, but the last couple of women I tried having relations with had been so disappointed about me not instantly getting there they just… left. It doesn’t really help my confidence with those experiences.”

Disappointment is a scary look for Viktor. What is worse is unbridled fury.

“You mean to tell me you would be left?!”

Jayce grimaces and chances a glance to the front desk. The hostess looks up at them, but quickly goes back to shuffling around when catching Jayce looking her way. He turns back to Viktor. “You don’t have to yell!”

Viktor grits his teeth and glares a hole into their prototype, clearly holding back whatever it is he wishes to unload.

Jayce watches with fascination, wondering if Viktor will ask any further questions, but it seems he is going through his own mental tirade. 

It is surprisingly nice to talk about this with his partner though. A weight of insecurity lifting for the first time. To be seen, heard, and not judged. It sparks a needy excitement to keep sharing.

“To tell you the truth… it probably wouldn’t end up like that if I actually tried with someone I trusted. Or even someone I know on a deeper level? It’s mostly been classmates in passing that sought me out. I guess I just have a ‘take me home’ kind of face?”

Viktor’s ill mood falls to a snort at that and he’s smirking once again. “You definitely have that kind of face.”

So he is correct in the belief of being approached based on his appearance. Even Viktor agrees… How disheartening. Wait a minute. Viktor agrees? Surely as an unbiased, conventional opinion. But that is not like Viktor. Teasing then!

The room grows very hot, and Jayce pulls at his collar.

“So you have never been with anyone you actually care for?” Viktor asks with a tenderness that brings Jayce back to that odd sense of shyness before seeing Viktor’s nude body.

Jayce pokes at the sunflowers in deep thought. It is nice to imagine he had fancied a past girlfriend of his teenage years, but looking back from an older and more mature mindset, they were on a more superficial level than on anything of real substance.

“I… don’t think so. Ugh, I sound pretty pathetic to you right now, don’t I?”

He is bare to Viktor’s analytical gaze. The opinions and cruel words from those skin deep women of the past had scarred him for certain, but they paled in comparison to this: the sum of today with his partner peeling him back layer by layer to reach his core and diagnose what he finds.

“I do not see you as pathetic, Jayce. I only did not realize.” He leans back and crosses his arms. “You are not the, what is the word you Pilties use? ‘Toy boy’ I imagined you to be.”

“‘Toy boy’…? What?” Jayce blinks at the word choice. Did Viktor not know what ‘toy boy’ even meant? Jayce could never imagine being seen in that light. Maybe more of a-! Jayce’s eyes widen and he chokes in understanding. “Wait! You thought I was a playboy?!” He inwardly crumbles.

Viktor waves a hand to the correction. “With all the charisma, charm, and flirtatious nature to you, how could I not assume?”

Jayce gapes. “I can’t believe you thought…”

Viktor tenses to the hurt lacing his words. “Wait, no, Jayce. Clearly, I was in the wrong.” He leans over the table and slides the flower vase to the side. “I am learning you are a more complicated man who hides his vulnerabilities well. You… have a large heart and I… I did not mean to upset you with that incorrect and ignorant observation.”

Jayce sits back and takes it in, unsure where he had gone wrong in giving Viktor that impression and huffs a laugh. “But a playboy, really?”

Viktor bites his lip. “You are very popular with the feminine crowd. If Ms. Becca was any indication today.”

“I already told you, Becca was a pain!”

You would think Jayce had dated the woman for years and right in front of Viktor with the consistent comments about her.

“Yes, well,” Viktor grins widely, “there will be no more issues there.”

“No more-?” Jayce leans forward with a glare. “What did you do?”

“Nothing!” Viktor reclines easily back into his chair. “But if you find she is suspended from the Academy, you can thank Councilor Medarda.”

“Councilor-?! Wait, what happened when you left earlier?!”

Viktor eases out of his chair to stand. “Not much. Just living the most fascinating life of Jayce Talis everywhere I go. Now, we should really start-”

“No way!” Jayce snatches at Viktor’s arm before he can reach around their case. “You don’t get to sneak out of this conversation that easily! Tell me what happened!”

“Perhaps when we are not so pressed for time? While this has been an enlightening conversation, I fear the competition will not wait for us.”

Jayce stares Viktor down with a scowl. How convenient for him. And unfair. Jayce didn’t get to ask his own personal questions about Viktor. He glances around and finds a clock above the bar. “We still have three hours before we absolutely have to be there!”

“Right. Well. Ms. Becca verbally assaulted me with Councilor Medarda in attendance. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Jayce waits for any clarifying additions, but Viktor gives none. “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to give me?”

Viktor shrugs and bends over to pick up the prototype.

“You are an awful story teller…”

Viktor grins. “Only when the subject is mundane.”

Is that so… With Viktor’s intrigue over Jayce’s background, maybe he’ll find it less ‘mundane’ with the favor returned. And Jayce can get his answers too.

“What about you and your relationships?”

Viktor chuckles dryly and grasps around the case. “A silly question. My one and only relationship has been with science.”

“You know what I mean.”

There is a look of deep thought coming over Viktor. He rubs the side of his neck with a frown and stands once more without the case. “I have had a string of experiences, but they are nothing to comment on.”

There is a question on the tip of Jayce’s tongue, and he hesitates. This would barge into territory that should not be treaded on, however the desire to know more about Viktor is ever growing. To learn all of his intricacies, what made him tick, what he loved and hated, everything. To have kept so much about himself bottled up for so many years. Today is a pulling of the cork and Jayce wants nothing more than to tip that bottle and consume every drop Viktor will give.

“With your leg and back… does that make intimacy difficult?”

Silence is his answer. There is a shuffling of papers from the front desk. A child screaming in glee runs past the window.

It was a mistake to ask. Jayce opens his mouth to apologize.

“My leg would complicate matters from the start,” Viktor muses. “And now, with the decline of my back? I can barely find pleasure myself. What is the point in bringing someone else into it? It leads to nothing but regret.”

Jayce rubs hard around his right knee. The relaxation in it is so simple and obvious. He clenches his jaw.

“So no one would try with you either? No one would put in any effort to try and please their partner?”

Viktor flinches and stares at Jayce for a moment. He eases back into his chair. “I am afraid my dalliances with others are similar to yours: people in passing. Not someone with whom I trust on a level to show that type of commitment in the bedroom.” He hesitates, watching Jayce with a wary eye. “More often than not, it ended in pain for me.”

“They would hurt you?!”

The urge to beat the ever living daylights out of the sorry excuse for Viktor’s lover - years past or not - has him shooting back in his chair in his usual habit to stand in outrage. The harmful sting of metal banging against his brace only fuels his anger more, imagining someone pushing Viktor against a headboard and ignoring his complaints to satisfy their own lustful greed. “How could anyone-? Who was it? Do I know them?”

In his blind rage, he nearly misses the soft upturn of Viktor’s lips.

“No, Jayce. You do not know any of them.”

Any of them. Multiple people hurt Viktor in a moment where he should have been catered to on a bed of fluffy pillows with oiled massages.

“If I ever meet them, you will point them out, and they will regret they ever laid a hand on you.”

“Funny. I share those sentiments on your terrible company.”

Jayce scoffs, “Seems we both have a similar taste in company.”

Viktor frowns. There is an air of hesitation about him as he opens his mouth only to shut it again.

“What is it?”

“What you said. We do share similarities… in some ways…”

“And that means…?”

“I… prefer the company of men.”

“Oh.” With the anger still simmering, it takes an internal repetition to fully digest. “Oh! I-I had no idea.” Well there goes the earlier thoughts of Viktor welcoming the hostess’ flirtations and showing off for her attention.

Viktor hums. “How could you? We have never traded stories of our intimate lives. Does it bother you?”

“No! Why would that bother me?”

Viktor shrugs and taps lightly against the table. “Have you… ever been intimate with a man?”

“Me? Oh! Uh, no, I haven’t. Not that there weren’t guys that tried. But no.”

“Hm…”

The sudden change in his partner is slight, but Jayce clocks it all the same. Without much thought put into it, he finds himself adding a very vulnerable thought, “But maybe with the right guy… I’d be interested in trying?”

It isn’t like Jayce has an aversion to the idea. He always liked women, so it was easier saying yes to a proposition there in his younger years. But with men? There is something uneasy in it. Unlike women, men would require a monumental amount of mutual trust and a solid foundation of an already tried and tested friendship. And Jayce has never bonded so closely with a man for such serious consideration.

Viktor’s curious wonder stares at him from across the table, and Jayce’s heart stops.

Oh.

The overflowing crisis box falls apart and every item he carelessly stuffed in comes tumbling out.

How their disagreements stabbed at his heart and took root to grow and fester into over-thinking and second guessing every word and action between them.

How that mental route would send him into a furious spiral of fear that Viktor would leave him.

Then seeing Viktor as he wishes to be. How unquestionably happy he was to enjoy the simple things like walking and picking up large objects. How he never hides who he is or what he thinks to gain favor with others. How surprisingly doting and nurturing he is at his core.

How easy it is to fret over Viktor like a mother hen because he is more than deserving to have someone dote over and nurture him as well.

The unfounded shyness to the thought of showering in Viktor’s body quickly followed by staring down at said nude body like a blushing virgin on her wedding night.

The unexpected jealousy towards a stranger over a simple, whispered exchange and look of admiration.

How his imagination drew comfortable backdrops with romantic intention in crafting the effort Viktor was deserving of. And there was not a faceless stranger, but Jayce himself oiling his hands in preparation to touch, caress, and explore what pleased his partner.

An explosion of heat radiates deep within Jayce and spreads to every nerve ending. Viktor’s sensitivities startle him again with an uncomfortable tightening of his pants to the fantasies unbound and uncensored.

He digs his nails into his right thigh to send a sharp pain into his groin and cut off the unwelcome and untimely erection.

“Jayce?”

How did it take this long to piece it together? This is the man with whom the first night of learning his name, created literal and sensational magic with Jayce…

Jayce is attracted to Viktor.

Jayce desires more than friendship or partnership as a colleague with Viktor.

Jayce has a crush. No… not even. His heart is beating much too rapidly to the reveal.

“Jayce?”

He blinks hard, brain fizzling out to the crisis happily unveiling itself before him. The true showcase to marvel over today and three years in the making.

“Yeah?” It comes out too high pitched. He swallows around a lump in his throat.

“You look frightened?”

“Oh, I-” Jayce wills for his brain function to return. There must be one plausible excuse he can think of on the fly. “I’ve never told anyone that before. Saying it out loud just… made it real and kind of terrifying.”

And there is undeniable truth in it. Sure, someone like Cait may have teased him relentlessly over it, but giving it voice and towards Viktor sparked possibly the most honest-to-goodness and unnerving fact in Jayce’s life. And he has no clue how to move forward with this awareness.

Viktor’s face softens. “I see. Your secret is safe with me.”

A sweaty slickness coats his palms and Jayce inwardly cringes. He rubs them over his pants and looks everywhere for a distraction before landing back on the clock.

“You were right, we really should get going. It may take me a bit more time walking with the crutch than I gave credit for.”

Viktor hums dejectedly and stands. “This is true. And we still need to piece the prototype together and run diagnostics to check it is in working order.”

“Right!”

When Jayce meets Viktor’s eyes in acknowledgment, he glimpses a very warm and endearing light within them. It is quickly lost when Viktor bends to pick up the case.

And now Jayce comes to fully understand the lengths of this newfound desire. He wants to, no, needs to see that look again. Directed at him. From Viktor with his lively, amber eyes. Today, tomorrow, and every single day after.

Tell me what I need to do to earn that look from you over and over again.

Viktor

The shameful clean-up of their hotel room and walk down to the lobby had been a mindless blur of moving limbs. The inner workings of his emotional state however, was a raging storm of chaotic heartbreak. Typically, Viktor’s old habits of seeking pleasure and falling to the clarifying depths of his desires were held in the privacy of his room, in his body, and with a full night to experience and decompress from them. 

This time was different. A completely foreign scenario of witnessing the man of his affections coming undone in the most breathtaking way before him and with little time to recover from the shock of pathetic yearning it caused. To come full circle in seeing these emotions reflected back from Jayce’s eyes in the mirror and then to completely break down in knowing the only love Viktor will truly find staring back at him will never be anything more than platonic.

Then they had the conversation. 

It had started off quite awkward with Jayce’s brazen question of Viktor’s experience in pleasuring himself. A question he had not expected Jayce to find interest in. It rightly knocked Viktor out of his distressed stupor and into a humiliated panic on how to speak on it. He chose logical truth as he does with everything else in life and it… somehow worked out in his favor. Their chat gradually grew into something normal that he found he did not want to break from. Such topics would have caused Viktor to cringe and ignore if the curious party had been anyone else. But Jayce took the lead in nearly every way, appearing just as nervous and unsure as Viktor felt. Viktor watched carefully for every flicker of emotion, listened to each word, question, declaration… transfixed and dissecting every second. The conversation guiding them both to the largest and most exciting revelation.

Jayce is bisexual. Or thinks he could be for the ‘right guy’ as he put it.

And that means there is hope yet.

Viktor’s state has pulled a one-eighty from first stepping out into the hotel lobby. The caged and mournful desires clawing at his insides are now bursting forth in need to wrap around Jayce in an embrace and whisper sweet nothings into his hair. To ensure he is loved and safe to be himself, even when self doubt breaks him into believing he is not enough. Viktor’s hands keep itching to reach out and touch, causing them to ache from the hold on their prototype case as they walk down the near empty street.

After a full day of nothing but insanity in their path and their own curious chats - and even more curious activities - in-between, they are finally making headway to the event center. 

At first, Jayce had been quiet and staring off ahead of them with mounting concern. Viktor had never seen him in such a state. There is no doubt he had plenty to think about, however Viktor watched him make one too many mistakes in his placement of the crutch and threatened he would carry Jayce should he make another.

That seemed to cause an entirely different state of distraction, only now Jayce did not falter in his steps.

Viktor understood though. Discovering your sexuality may contrast with your initial beliefs and telling someone are large, horrifying steps. But Jayce has nothing to fear with Viktor by his side.

There was another important piece of information Viktor took away from their conversation: Jayce never made his own choices when it came to romance. Women had sought him out and he followed after with naive hope only to have his own vulnerabilities used against him and traumatizing him. Viktor was typically a very passive man by nature, but this knowledge awakens an unknown beast of hostile nature.

This creates an obstacle for him however, translating to Viktor needing to become a man of intent. To be vocal and obvious for this very oblivious man to notice him. Which is absolutely mortifying. Viktor could have sworn most of his actions and a few of his comments today had been damning enough, but Jayce is… difficult, to put it simply. Where Viktor pauses in horror at the thought of voicing how he feels, Jayce hurdles past him with blinders on and no inkling to how anyone feels about him unless outright expressed.

“Oh, come on, Viktor, you know we have to at least try and act like one another!”

Viktor rolls his eyes in good humor as he is pulled back into their current and less exciting conversation. Jayce had finally gained the courage to speak, though a bit shy at first. A question of how they were going to showcase as they are that devolved to this ridiculous idea.

“Please,” he scoffs, “there will be few people to catch on to us as we are.”

“You say that, but I know an excuse when you give one.” Jayce turns with a smile so devious and Viktor-esque, Viktor himself nearly drops their case. “You just don’t want to be outdone because you couldn’t successfully pretend to be me.”

Viktor stops dead in his tracks. “Oh? Is that right?”

Jayce continues his pace past Viktor and shrugs his free arm. “That’s what I said. You hate being around crowds of people to speak and network with them the way I do. So yeah, I bet even thinking about it makes your skin crawl.”

“It does not. I believe I can give quite the performance.” 

Viktor sets the case down and takes a deep breath. He opens his eyes with a wide smile aimed at Jayce and stomps his foot on the edge of the case, arms extending to either side.

“Citizens of Piltover, gaze upon our brilliance that will undoubtedly change your mediocre lives for the better.”

“Oh, yeah,” Jayce snickers, “a direct Jayce Talis quote. No one will ever notice.”

Viktor smirks before softening and grasps the sides of his vest. “Hextech will be the leading success of Piltover and carry on throughout all of Runeterra. With this sensational invention as the first step, you will find slow trade and travel a thing of the past.” He bows his head and peers up to his one man audience.

“Not bad. I would have thought you practiced a speech for once, but…”

“But? That was damn near verbatim what I have heard you blabber on about these past months!”

“It is, but I don’t have a Zaun accent.”

Viktor’s eye twitches and he groans, “You Pilties and your Piltie accents!”

Jayce parrots back in a comically thick Zaun accent, “You Zaunites and your Zaunite accents!”

“I am offended. Your speaking privileges are revoked.”

“Hey! At least I tried!”

Viktor chuckles. “Very well,” he tries in his best impression of Jayce’s accent, focusing on the movement of his mouth and tongue along with his rhythm. “But we need to keep moving if we are going to make it in time to speak with the public.” It was not perfect by any means. His accent slips on the harder vowels and it is difficult being mindful of that plus the speed of which Jayce speaks. Anyone who knew Jayce would hone in on it, but it was a genuine effort.

The awe on Jayce’s face alone is worth it. “That was… pretty good. Wait! Does this mean you will try and act like me?”

The pure innocence and joy exuding from Jayce should be criminal. Viktor’s heart falls victim to it. The lengths he would go to for this man. He leans closer to Jayce and for once, unmasks his more amorous emotions with hooded eyes and a gentle smile. “Of course, partner. I would do anything for you.”

He turns quickly and before it can sink in for Jayce. His nerves ball up in his stomach and he thinks he may vomit.

There is no response as he picks up the case and carries on as if he hadn’t just made a declaration of intent. While the lack of reaction is disappointing, at least it is not a flat-out refusal of Jayce saying such a thing himself. Or even a full-on rejection. That would be unbearable… A small win then?

Viktor frowns to himself.

A perfectly veiled truth if nothing more.

He is terrible at this, but even through the biting sting that comes with the idea of rejection, he is more than determined to try with small steps.

Jayce will understand. It may take time, but Viktor will put everything he is into this.

And hopefully Jayce’s decision will not break his heart.

Chapter Text

Jayce

For a day that had greeted him with bitter barbs, uncomfortable silences, and a carriage collapse, Jayce is shocked to the position he finds himself in by late afternoon. This almost alternate dimension on so many levels. 

If there had been an inquiry from anyone about their relationship earlier this morning, he could have burst out in tears to the unknown of it. Now? It is taking everything in his power to keep Viktor’s sinfully sensitive body calm to anything his said partner tortures him with.

Not interacting with Viktor wasn’t an option. They have a competition to win. Not to mention, it is paramount to their relationship even when disagreeing. It would be too suspicious. It would involve raised eyebrows and remarks on why he is so distant and seemingly out of nowhere.

On the other hand, interacting with Viktor posed a very different problem. A simple attempt of easing back into their teasing banter ended with suggestive eyes and a statement laced with promise.

“Of course, partner. I would do anything for you.”

And bless Jayce for all the ways he imagines Viktor doing anything for him. With him. To him.

Jayce bites down on his lip and steps a little too hard on his right leg to shock the fantasies from his mind.

Thankfully Viktor turned away from him just in time to miss his moment of heated floundering for a response and his lack of one was not met with scrutiny.

This is going to be a very frustrating Distinguished Innovators Competition…

***

The highlight of arriving at the event center is realizing they still have plenty of time to interact with the public. 

They meet with the front desk staff to receive their competitor badges and directions to their designated table. 

The event center is large, the perfect size for the City of Progress in hosting such a spectacle for the whole world to travel to and partake in or witness the many passions of discovery and creation. The main room is large enough for the set up of a couple hundred tables to easily fit within its center for each competitor. Long tables border the windows for refreshments and snacks for competitors and civilians alike, and at the very back a wide, open area that slopes slightly in a semi-circle in front of a modest stage for the announcements.

A crowded affair as Jayce always knew it to be. Always one to be intrigued by science and other like-minded individuals, this was not his first time attending the event, but it is his first time as a competitor. The air is thicker with a charge of energy and he is unsure if his body remembers how to breathe properly.

While most of the other competitors were already set up and speaking to civilians and investors on their own inventions, it did not appear that Jayce and Viktor were the only ones that arrived later, spotting the occasional empty table, which gave him a bit of relief in their own tardiness. He looks around in hopes to see their professor milling about to speak with and demand to be swapped back for ease of navigating this crucial moment, but the center is already packed and the small yordle nowhere to be seen.

Unnerving to be sure, but they can do this. They have to.

They get to work immediately once finding their table, carefully putting their Hexgates prototype together in tandem as they have hundreds of times before, and yet very unlike any time before. 

Jayce ducks his head when Viktor meets his eyes and flinches at every inevitable and accidental brush of hands. The painfully obvious display of a hormonal teenager stumbling through their first crush - and right in front of a thoroughly confused and wordless Viktor - throws Jayce into a flustered frenzy.

“Sorry! I just, um! I’m worried about the prototype. I hope it wasn’t damaged in the accident… With this being the, uh, moment of truth, I guess I’m extra jumpy?” He laughs nervously after having just snatched his hand back from another brush of fingers. The pinpricks of desire for more contact once a phenomena of Viktor’s body slowly manifesting as something natural and relating to his own emotional state.

“Ah. You need not explain yourself to me, Jayce. I am well aware and share in your hopes and dreams after all. Do not despair. It will be fine and so will we. If something is amiss, we will fix it. I promise.”

Encouragement and positive reinforcement is the life blood for a functioning Jayce Talis, but now it is a sweet poison running through his veins with no business directing itself to certain places.

Once the Hexgates are finally completed, Jayce adds the final piece: the Hexcrystal. After receiving the tiny case from Viktor, he slots it into the center of the mechanism and flips a tiny internal switch with bated breath. 

The entire system lights up in a blue glow and Jayce breathes a heavy sigh of relief while closing the panel. They are in the clear so far.

As a final touch in safety measures mandated by Professor Heimerdinger, they pull taut netting from the bottom of the case and set it up at the opposite end of their table where the Hexgates rest. An easy and cheap makeshift barrier as tall as Viktor, or more correctly, Jayce’s body. They leave room to stand between it and the table.

It only takes one test result of shooting a miniature carving of a ship through the air, past the length of their table, and into Viktor’s open and heavily padded, gloved hands to gain a swarm of people around them.

They simultaneously grin at one another as they both try to tackle the mass of mesmerized onlookers with questions, all the while attempting to impersonate the other’s mannerisms and speech.

Viktor appears to have a harder time replicating Jayce’s flourish in front of so many people, visibly shaking at times when all eyes land on him with growing expectation. It stills him with a silence that leaves the audience in rapt attention as if he is about to make a grand gesture. Jayce eases over to his partner any time he notices the stage fright paralyzing him, bumping into him and continuing the speech as if they had planned a performance swap until it knocks Viktor out of his stupor to take the lead once more.

Jayce himself stumbles over Viktor’s accent like a child learning to speak and he cringes the few times a spectator cackles at him, but then Viktor is there by his side, leaning down with a hand on his shoulder and whispering how well Jayce is doing directly in his ear. The action is effective, but not in the ways Viktor may intend as Jayce’s whole body heats both to the touches and affirmations.

Another embarrassing hurdle neither of them gave thought to was how easy it is for Jayce to hear “Jayce Talis,” “Mr. Talis,” or “Golden Boy” called out randomly in the chaos of mingling with a different person every few minutes and not react to it. The slip up confuses some of their audience and gives them both mild cases of cardiac arrest in trying to smooth over the error.

The onlookers mostly take no issue to their mistakes or acts of teasing and whispering with one another. They draw their gazes to the working capabilities of the Hexgates in fascination as he and Viktor explain and exhibit what is happening, bringing awareness to the possibilities this promises Piltover.

Jayce sits back in his chair with a groan after speaking with a family harboring an abundance of questions and comments. The first large wave of people finally dwindled for him to take a breather. Everything aches and the harsh metal of the chair bumping against the back brace only causes more pain.

“Oh, Viktor!” 

The call out jolts him from his stretch and he glances back down the row of tables to see a young woman cheerfully walking towards him with a skip in her step. She wears glasses and fixes her hair up into a curly bun per usual, revealing the pretty curvature of her face. A student from the Academy, donning her uniform as though she came straight from class like she would when visiting their lab for her chats with Viktor.

Jayce raises a hand to wave in greeting before quickly schooling himself with a light smile and nod instead. “Good evening, Sky.”

The woman trips over herself as she makes it to the front of his side of the table and corrects her glasses. The journal in her hands is snugly pressed to her chest as she stammers, “Oh! Uh, h-hi! Good evening to you too!”

“Ah! Ms. Young!” Viktor politely, yet hurriedly, inserts himself into their greeting and not so politely bumps his hip against Jayce’s shoulder.

Ah, right. Formality with names. A very basic mistake in the act of being Viktor. Jayce mentally slaps his forehead. No wonder the woman seemed to be taken off guard.

“Viktor and I thought we would see you here, given your own curious nature and the many evenings you visit us in the lab.” 

Jayce bumps Viktor back in a concealed movement of reaching for his crutch. His delivery of the statement sounded more like an accusation than a welcome, and Jayce would not have that.

“How are the other competitors fairing?” The hint is taken with a quick redirection of friendly familiarity. “We haven’t had a chance to look outside our area.”

Sky eases on the hold of her journal. “Oh, you would be surprised at the variety! Earlier I visited the section for luxury inventions and came across a table where the man was attempting self heating bowls, cups, and other items to sell worldwide. There was a faulty mug combustion however. You both missed that excitement!”

Jayce smothers a grin at the thought and Viktor chuckles for him.

“While I can empathize with such a catastrophe, a mug caused a fire?”

“Yes, it was a little silly for the poor man. He clearly thought quantity over quality would help gain traction. He must have cut corners.” When she takes in Jayce once more her cheeks tint a rosy pink. 

Interesting. 

Some women blushed in his company, but he is no longer Jayce Talis. The curious men and women entering his space today have met him with hesitance and stares at the metal he holds and is bound with before a word is ever spoken. As though he is some sort of side show mystery to behold and not another human to hold a conversation with.

The interactions between Sky and Viktor in the lab were much more tolerable. They were innocent enough, casual and professional with topics over what Viktor was scrawling notes on or pieces he was testing out. Jayce never gave either of them much attention except to throw in the odd comment while he worked. If anything he only saw the woman as a kind and soft spoken student that saw the genius of his partner, which would make sense for their affiliation, given Viktor had been present in lectures with the professor.  

“I think you would be interested in the robotics section. There has always been an interest in them for amputees.” The lighter tone Sky uses while speaking to him directly is noticeable now with all of his attention honing in to not mess up reacting like his partner. “The designs are becoming sleeker and even the functionality has far surpassed what it was a couple years ago. I recall you mentioning that it was something you wanted to work on should you want to check them out and take notes.”

The topic is an easy enough conversation piece he can contribute to, and he’s very thankful for it, but something about meeting her eyes gives way to unease. “Yes, it is a great interest of mine. Should we win this competition, I like to think we can start on the projects we truly want to bring to life.”

“Dreams for helping others.” Viktor speaks softly as well. The typical clinical tone giving way to something rarely heard. “Visions we both share and are very passionate about.”

“Especially those who would benefit most from it,” Jayce quickly adds to keep himself from ruminating on the exact occasions and subject matter Viktor would choose to speak in such a tender voice. “The people of Zaun!”

“You want to help the people of Zaun?” Sky appears ready to catapult against Viktor like an eager child receiving a new toy from their beloved parent. It has Jayce winding his fingers around his crutch similarly. His left leg vibrates with the need to jump at her and monologue over their plans. 

How did he miss out on this person who believed helping Zaun would be a good idea? It wasn’t every day he met someone who didn’t curl their lip at him for the notion. The only information he was able to drag out of Viktor about Sky was simply: ‘She is a friend’. How shocking.

“You didn’t know?” Viktor glances between them completely dumbfounded. “I thought it was obvious, what with me working with Viktor and… What is this look?”

Jayce gives an unamused roll of his eyes at Viktor’s glare. “Not a thing. We all know how open and honest I am as a person. I haven’t the faintest idea why Ms. Young could ever miss a thing.”

There’s a burst of laughter from Sky before she covers her mouth and turns to hide her face from them both. Jayce finds himself choking on his own laugh until he’s coughing in a fit. A terrible break in character, but he couldn’t help himself. If Sky figures them out, it is well worth the very red and shaking form of Viktor right now.

His partner slaps the tabletop and leans forward as if to scold them both like immature children. “To get back to the point,” he takes a breath then straightens and smooths down his tie. “Yes, I want to help everyone, but specifically those who need it and could greatly benefit from it. That starts with the people of Zaun.”

“Leave it to you to find someone who genuinely wants to help our people.” There is a familiar light softening Sky’s eyes when she looks back at Jayce.

Our people.

Oh… she is not just a student struck with awe. She is an old friend.

He sits a little straighter, the uneasiness coming over him once more from Sky’s familiar expression that he cannot quite place and puzzling over how to navigate this more complex conversation. A simple truth of his own couldn’t be too bad?

“Jayce was open minded enough to listen to my heartfelt ideas and opinions. I do believe my own experiences struck a chord with him. A common desire between us to save others from a similar fate.” He caresses his right leg out of habit.

Viktor fidgets and rubs the side of his neck. An interesting response of seeking comfort.

Surely he already knew this to be true? Or maybe Jayce just shared too much for Viktor being the private man he is? It could really go either way with the walls built too high for Jayce to see over.

The nervous pause between all of them only confirms that he must have said something inappropriate and not Viktor. 

There’s a quick motion of Sky huddling next to him and so suddenly that Jayce nearly jumps out of his skin. “I didn’t realize the two of you were close and comfortable like that?”

Okay, so it is the private portion and it being spoken about so openly that has Viktor wound up. But it doesn’t appear to be news to Sky? A friendship with awareness of background and history that leaves Jayce feeling left out.

While Viktor did share a vaguely painted picture of a poor childhood in unsavory environments, all without parents for a majority of it, he never commented on the finer details. Jayce never prodded for explanations in fear of pushing his partner away or outright offending him based on early snubs of being a nosy man. Something he leaned into when it came to the relationship with Sky as well. More questions he is excited to have answers to, but also ashamed he didn’t already. 

“We’re… close enough for a bit of personal history to be shared?”

“Ms. Young,” Viktor interrupts, “I don’t believe now is-”

“Hey, look at this, we found the Golden Boy! So this is your magic? A building with a light show?”

A couple of men pause and poke at their Hexgates to Viktor’s obvious dissatisfaction. He grits his teeth before turning to flash a dangerous smile. “Why yes gentlemen. Care to see this ‘light show’ first hand?”

Once Viktor smacks the intruding hands away from their invention, Sky bows her head with a hushed whisper. “Sorry I came off as pushy… if Mr. Talis was about to reprimand me and before you had the chance, I really must have been intruding…” 

“Nonsense. Jayce is stressed today is all and rightfully so.” 

Sky lifts her head so quickly, he jumps back in his seat with a small clink of metal on metal and grinds his teeth to keep from groaning to the ache. Sky’s light brown eyes search his with worry. “He does appear to be a little off, doesn’t he?”

They both turn to watch as Viktor fails to conceal a wicked grin while giving one of the men the gloves to catch the miniature ship with. 

Yes. ‘Jayce’ appears unhinged.

The mental image of Viktor accelerating their rune combinations to impale the man has Jayce waving his arms frantically. His movement catches Viktor’s eye. One brow lifts in question, and Jayce shakes his head, almost pleading. That flash of wicked intent winks out with a roll of hazel eyes. With exaggerated care, he sets the wooden ship down on the table. Then, bending down, he rummages through their case and retrieves the soft plastic piece they used during early trials. He holds it up scowling like it offends him personally. Jayce exhales, tension easing from his shoulders as he gives a grateful nod.

“Hm, silent communication. That was quite a back and forth,” Sky muses teasingly and Jayce’s shoulders tense. 

“Ah, yes. The public has been a bit difficult to manage between us. Jayce has been… a bit feisty over it.” 

“Yes, I suppose anyone would be a bit distressed with this type of attention. It appears it’s even affecting you. You’re a bit more open and expressive today. I don’t recall you ever making a joke about yourself.” She clutches the journal close again and all Jayce can think about is how Viktor clutches his crutch in a similar fashion when excited, upset, or embarrassed. “Isn’t Mr. Talis the one who’s typically open and joking?”

Well, the personal competition may as well be claimed by Viktor at this point. Between the mental images of Viktor snapping and committing murder via mini Hexgates’ shipping and this woman simultaneously playing ‘twenty simple questions only Viktor knows and would never tell’, Jayce is about to lose it.

“Jayce and I had an agreement on how we should interact today. I am also confident and happy in our achievements thus far, so I suppose that is rightly showing.”

The calculating look she schools Jayce with terrifies him. It reminds him so much of Viktor when he’s coming very close to solving all of their problems. 

The back brace aches at how stiffly he sits in anticipation of Sky unmasking him as a fraud right here and now. He let his guard down with her. Possibly Viktor’s oldest friend. A fatal mistake.

“Have you ever realized he’s the only one you do that for?”

He loses a breath at the unexpected question. “I-uh… I’m sorry. I do what for Jayce?”

“That. Refer to him by his first name.”

Jayce stares right through her.

Viktor does call Jayce by his first name, yes. The attention to it baffles him, but it is a good question. It has always been natural and friendly from the start, and Viktor being more formal and polite with others was just another Viktor quirk.

Sky giggles. “You don’t have to look so surprised. Have you never even noticed?”

No, not even once.

“I…”

“What the-! You did that on purpose!”

They both snap their attention back over to the yelling. 

Viktor shrugs innocently as the man with the gloved hands marches at him. “I did forewarn you it shoots at a high velocity and you ensured me to be the best catcher in Piltover. I cannot help that you missed.”

“I am going to-”

“Move over, let me show you how to catch,” the other man laughs while snatching at the gloves from his fuming friend. “You’ve always been shit at sports. Don’t take it out on Mr. Talis.” 

The relief has Jayce bowing his head. All the different forms of anxiety building up are about to put him out of commission before he’s able to see the end of this competition. He looks back up and Sky gives him a pointed look.

“So, that familiarity with Mr. Talis?”

“We did form a very quick friendship,” he tries lamely.

“Viktor, I’ve known you since childhood and you still insist on calling me ‘Ms. Young’.”

Damn. Childhood friends. He’s no match against this with Viktor’s infuriating lack of communication and knowledge to wade through this conversation.

“Yes, well,” he flounders and settles on a painful reminder to pull this in another direction. “I have from time to time called him ‘Talis’ if that makes you feel better.”

Sky quirks a brow. “Oh? Well that just seems more teasing coming from you.” She glances over at Viktor. “And how does he take it when you do?”

‘Teasing’, sure. That would be preferable. Jayce finds himself responding before he thinks better of it. “Like he’s done something wrong.”

The admission seems to break something down within Sky. The curiosity and teasing fun fades into softening features. “I imagine that would make him feel like he has taken a step backwards, depending on when you do it.”

Jayce recalls their more aggressive fights. Having ‘Talis’ thrown at him like it was a curse and not a name. How it felt more like ten steps backwards.

“Hey, don’t look so sad. I’m sure he knows how much he means to you. I mean, even I can see it sometimes. Like just a moment ago when you were both speaking about your true passions. The way you look at him as if… he’s the magic.” Her eyes fall to the ground with that and there is silence between them.

How she is able to see through his abysmal poker face is not surprising. He runs a hand down his neck, begging for a calm and clear head to get him through this so Sky doesn’t begin to think Viktor himself has a fixation on his partner. 

One look back over to the trial run assures it is still playing out. Viktor, of course, is wearing a mischievous grin, clearly entertained by the growing chaos between the two grown men as they bicker. It would be funny if Jayce wasn’t currently drowning in this painfully deep conversation with Sky. He needs help. An interruption or distraction. A lifeline. Anything.

Viktor glances over then does a double take as Jayce exaggerates his best ‘help me’ look to a dramatic degree. The signal lands instantly. Viktor stiffens, his eyes flicking between him, Sky, and their close proximity. Without further hesitation, he steps in between the arguing men in an attempt to usher them off.

“It’s good to see that look on you though.”

The comment shocks his attention back to Sky. 

“Ever since you were young and playing with your creations you made by hand, I…” She hesitates with a shake of her head. “Remember that boat you built? I believe that was one of the first times I met you around that water hole we played around. You were quiet compared to the rest of us. Even me.” She shrugs her shoulders and stares down at her shoes.

“You were always so focused on your creations, eyes lighting up in wonder. But it dimmed with time and… everything that disappointed you.” She looks over at Viktor practically pushing the men away. “Until you met Jayce Talis. I’ll never forget the first time you told me about him, how inspired and excited you were to finally meet someone you connected with so quickly. The wonder finally came back to your eyes. I can see it in the lab when I visit. Both of you are working to bring magic to the world, but each other?” 

Jayce is barely breathing, not deserving to hear this very private conversation meant for Viktor, but holding on to every word.

“You inspire one another and push each other to do your best… Just like you inspire m-”

“Ms. Young,” Viktor quickly walks back towards them, a nervous lilt to his voice as his eyes dart warily between them. “Sorry to cut in, but I believe it is high time we both took a much needed break.”

Jayce finds it hard to meet Viktor’s eyes. Sky’s words still hang in the air, heavy with meaning and too layered to unpack all at once. The way she spoke about inspiration had a tone of affection, almost like a love letter in disguise. And in a world like theirs, where stimulation of the mind sparked before hearts, wasn’t inspiration just another form of love?

Love… something both wondrous and unrelenting. The slow intake of it revealing itself with every passing minute.

At last, Jayce takes in Viktor. He stands too still, posture tight, his smile pulled thin. He’s trying more than he usually does in interacting and all for Jayce’s sake. 

Sky looks back to Jayce with a pout of being dismissed for them to take their leave, and he shrugs at her with a pleading smile.

“I could use a break.”

It was not a lie. Jayce would greatly appreciate a moment to absorb everything she just opened his eyes to and these emotions swelling inside his chest to near bursting.

“Hm, you two really have become close. Don’t think for a moment I didn’t notice how you’ve both picked up each other’s mannerisms and speaking patterns. I never thought I’d see the day where you would have a Piltie accent,” she teases.

Jayce flinches and tries to smile through the panic. He sees Viktor in his peripherals doing the same.

Sky’s expression shifts, becoming soft and full of fondness. The familiarity of it suddenly clicks. That glint of emotion in Viktor’s eyes earlier… the same quiet emotion.

She glances Viktor’s way, then leans in once more, voice low, “I am so happy you found someone who truly understands you.”

Heat rushes into Jayce’s cheeks. He’s not too certain he could claim being someone who truly understands Viktor, but he does want to, has always wanted to. He casts a glance at Viktor hovering, appearing visibly torn between stepping in once more or giving them space. His fingers tap a restless rhythm against the table.

A quiet murmur draws Jayce’s attention back to Sky.

“What was that?”

Sky flinches and hugs her journal. “There was something I was hoping to ask you about… for a while now. When you win,” she smiles conspiratorially as if she has rigged the whole competition, “I was hoping maybe you would consider taking me on as an intern?”

Prior panic washes away with a buzzing of excitement at the potential: having the backing for interns and assistants to work on the more tedious of errands and tasks while he and Viktor were freed up the time for the more complicated nuances.

Viktor takes a step forward. “I think-”

“That is a brilliant idea!” Jayce quickly cuts in, standing from his chair in reflex to offer a handshake in agreement, but stills. Sky watches with wide eyes at his burst of energy. He chooses instead to turn and look at Viktor who is watching him similarly. “Jayce? We will need help down the road, don’t you agree?”

Viktor’s eye twitches as he stares down at Jayce, but relents with a sigh. “Yes, I suppose we will need help and Ms. Young is more than capable.”

“Oh, wow! Really?!” Sky looks back and forth between them as if they were just making every dream of hers come true.

“Should we win, come by the lab sometime in the next couple weeks and we can speak on the logistics with your classes.” Jayce tries to keep a hold over the buzzing excitement, but knows he must be cracking into a grin.

“Oh, yes! I’ll bring in all my research papers for review! And-and I’ll work on my resume and-!”

Viktor waves a hand. “None of that will be necessary, Ms. Young. Just come as you are.”

The woman looks about ready to combust like the aforementioned mug. “Oh, you-! I-!” She bows her head to both of them. “Thank you both so much for this opportunity! I promise to do my best!” She looks back up with a smile. “Good luck with your showcase. I have no doubts the two of you will win!”

“Thank you, Ms. Young.”

What a fascinating friend of Viktor’s he had never bothered speaking with at length. How little she must know of the interesting similarities she shares with his partner.

Sky blushes under Jayce’s thoughtful gaze as she turns to leave, offering a timid wave. He watches her go, noting the brief hesitation in her step before she glances back. She catches him still looking after her and flinches before quickly disappearing into the crowd.

She really is quite adorable.

A steady weight lands on Jayce’s shoulder. He looks up to find Viktor resting one hand on him, his expression grave. “Jayce… I could have sworn we both agreed to a challenge earlier. I am surprised by how poorly your actions reflect my own. Losing must be your goal.”

Okay, so it is hard for Jayce to keep in his excitement, he can agree, and he did slip with Sky’s name, perhaps even acting more friendly with her than he had ever witnessed Viktor in doing. He decides to fully ignore the comment on their personal challenge and focus on something way more interesting that he needs confirmation on. He points over in the direction Sky had left in. “I think Sky might have feelings for you.”

Viktor bends down in Jayce’s face. “You think?!” He stands upright and covers his face with a hand as though he is holding back a verbal assault.

But that was the confirmation needed.

Jayce tries to keep from collapsing out of his chair from both the shock and the entirely too easy and aggressive way in how it was given. 

“And now she will be in our lab even more,” Viktor groans. “Not that she doesn’t deserve it, do not mistake that.”

Jayce sinks back into his seat with a wince, allowing his thoughts to drift. He can’t help but piece together the parallels between the two Zaunites. The affectionate glances, the softness lightening their voices when it mattered, the subtle gestures sparked by nervous energy or excitement. 

“Oh, now you choose to be silent,” Viktor huffs. “Where was this when Ms. Young was here? That would have been more effective. I do hope you came up with a good excuse for your behavior?”

“Why do you think I gave you the ‘save me’ eyes as you call them?”

“You are the worst actor I have ever met. Surprising what with you being a man of showmanship.”

“Give me a break! It’s hard being you!”

“It’s hard to sit there and say nothing?!”

“I wasn’t going to ignore her! I’m actually very excited for her to be around in our lab. She’s bright and kind…” Jayce frowns. “And if you know how she feels, why haven’t you already told her… you know? If you’re such old and good friends?”

Viktor takes a seat in his chair with a grimace. “Because I value her friendship.”

“That’s a little backwards, don’t you think?”

“How so?” Viktor glares at Jayce, but Jayce sees the uncertainty in it.

“For starters, if you value her friendship, you shouldn’t lead her on by not telling her.”

Viktor flinches. “I am not leading her on! I give her exactly zero hints of her feelings being reciprocated.”

“But you know she feels that way about you and you very clearly choose not to tell her it is not possible.”

Viktor bites his lip as he stares into their prototype. “What if she decides she no longer wants to be friends if I tell her?”

The whispered tone sounds lost and does something to Jayce’s heart. “Hey, if she’s a good friend then she’ll understand. She won’t let that come between you.”

“And what if you’re wrong? What if friendship is too hard after such a rejection? What then? I am not sure about you, but I-” he stops short and diverts his eyes away a moment before continuing, “I imagine it being a pain far worse than my body could ever do to me.”

Jayce stills at the heated desperation coming off of Viktor. He swallows and stares at their prototype. How it glows with magic they created together, having spent long days and nights for years to come up with this.

To even imagine all of it could be reduced to a break between them should interest be voiced does cause hesitation. The ‘what if’ of Viktor truly thinking Jayce to be the playboy he originally commented on.

“So you really do believe you can just say the word and have whatever and whomever you want, Talis.”

But Viktor would never be so cruel. No. If there was rejection from Viktor, it would be much quieter, a slow death of their partnership and then surely their friendship, suffocating like a flame without oxygen. And isn’t that exactly what it would be like?

Jayce has never put his heart out there. There has never been someone he felt strongly enough for to do such, but now and considering a worst case scenario? He can see why Viktor is stuck with inaction. Sky seems much too sweet and understanding to truly react in such a way, but what if he is wrong? Emotions can be overwhelming and fickle and everyone is different in feeling and expressing them.

He looks back at Viktor, the desperation now filling his eyes. How it is slowly fading into something sullen and fearful. The spitting image of himself when everyone was turning their backs on him years ago, being left alone with no one to believe in him.

Until this man reached his hand out with the exact words he needed.

Jayce feels a confidence within take over. Viktor is not cruel. And there is not a world he can imagine where he would ever truly leave Jayce. He has to believe in that, he must believe in it. If Viktor tried, Jayce would find a way to keep him by his side. Selfish as that may be.

“I think… Everyone is different and reacts differently. I can see how it would hurt too terribly, to be rejected, but I also think it is equally important to tell someone how you feel or don’t feel about them. How else will they know and get to make their own choices?” Jayce smiles tenderly, hoping that is good enough to get Viktor through his sad musings on Sky. He has a thought. “Take me, we both already know I’m terrible with understanding how someone else feels about me unless they drag me to their bedroom.”

Viktor watches Jayce for a moment before staring down at the table with consideration. “I suppose you are right. We are not all created equal with emotional awareness.” He smirks. “And coming from someone like me, where my own emotions are… I suppose you could say I have a hard time expressing them?”

Jayce smiles as Viktor groans to another group of civilians coming up to ask questions about the glowing of their Hexgates before they can get away for a break.

A man that has difficulties understanding others’ emotions and a man that has difficulties expressing his own emotions.

His heart lights up in true hope once more.

They really are quite the pair.

Chapter Text

Viktor

This challenge is possibly the worst idea Jayce has ever talked Viktor into. And there have been plenty of those over the years. Birthday celebrations and visits with Mrs. Talis being at the top of the list. The maternal familiarity and fussing that came with seeing the woman always brought a longing to stay, and Viktor never could stay, not without feeling too seen and raw over it. Then the purely platonic outings Jayce would beg him for that he had to start refusing after one disastrous night that lead to drinking - and practically drowning when Viktor had to bear witness to women hitting on Jayce as if it were their job, - which resulted in Viktor becoming a sloshed mess and burying himself in Jayce’s chest and arms to be carried home, or so he has been told. 

Their personal competition is somehow worse in a completely different way.

The overwhelming consistency of having every passersby stop and want to chat specifically with The Golden Boy, the ignorance behind their scathing comments for his ‘outlandish ideas’ of combining science with magic and how this project could work for them personally - all of it is draining his mental energy levels. How Jayce is normally able to keep up this kind of performance with a smile on his face is beyond Viktor.

It is a miracle that Jayce was particularly obsessive in this aspect and demanded Viktor be his audience. The man practiced and performed the many speeches and expected answers to all forms of questions over the years for Viktor to know them verbatim. The only issue he has is not slipping into the comfort of his accent or wearing his own scowl to these sometimes abrasive people. The overwhelming need to put them all in their place: under his heel. Jayce watches him too closely though, giving him warning looks and a shake of the head to reel Viktor back in.

Once there is another break from the clinging annoyance of insufferable civilians creeping around them, Viktor quickly places a large stock card on their table with a scrawled ‘On Break’ written across it, murmuring to Jayce that he needs a moment to himself to stretch his legs and clear his head. His partner stretches and agrees with a wince as he stands to move as well. 

Viktor seeks out a worker from the event and asks if they have any pillows available with disappointment being his answer. 

Not to be easily deterred, he helps himself to the rest of the large building, sneaking through a door blocked off when working eyes pay him no mind. He searches the hallways and other, smaller conference areas for the remainder of their break until he finds a room labeled ‘Employees Only’ with a comfortable reading windowsill where he secures a large pillow. 

‘No pillows here, sir’? He would be sure to speak to management about this grossly inaccurate information. 

“Here,” he says simply as he returns from his walk and sits in his own chair next to Jayce.

“Where did you find a pillow?” Jayce quickly nabs it and sighs as he rests back against it, tension finally releasing from his shoulders. 

“You would be surprised what a desperate man can find when in need. Zaun taught me well.”

Perhaps he should find an explanation that is not ‘Zaun’ as these statements tend to put this same sour expression on Jayce’s face. It fades into a sweet smile as he lounges back against the plush pillow. 

“Thanks. This makes a difference to the aching.”

Viktor stretches his legs out and back against the cold metal. “I know it does. It’s why I bothered to search for you.” He doesn’t miss the wider smile this causes as Jayce lays his head back and closes his eyes. “What is this? Taking a nap during the competition?”

“Give me a break. I know you’re dead tired too.” 

“I am more surprised I have yet to see you open and examine the prototype for any issues this entire time.” Viktor slyly grins when Jayce jerks his head to him. “Perhaps I have already nodded off and started dreaming?” 

Maybe this is the correct approach in responses to Jayce: instead of harsh truths he could tease and make more pointed mentions of dreams revolving around his partner because the man is hesitating with color filling his cheeks to this. A lovelier sight to behold. 

“You know, with the type of day this has been and for everything to just go according to plan… It could very well be a dream.” He does examine the Hexgates now, but one of appreciation for possibly the first time since they first started work on it. “Honestly? I’m not so sure why I was ever worried in the first place.”

What a day this has been, indeed. To hear this from the mouth of Jayce Talis. 

“Hm, so one may say I was right?”

Jayce purses his lips but there’s a twinkle in his eye. “I wouldn’t say you were completely right, but there was merit to it. ‘Why fix something that is not broken’? I guess I was trying too hard to find a problem when what was right in front of me was perfect all along.”

The attention redirects from the Hexgate to Viktor and doesn’t waver with a pause between them. Viktor has never considered himself to be devout, but he silently prays to any god that may be listening that there is double meaning in Jayce’s words. 

There’s a sudden pull to Jayce’s gaze just past Viktor and he falters. His easygoing demeanor slips, replaced by something that Viktor recalls seeing when met with the catastrophic mishaps of their experimenting: sheer horror.

“Jayce? What-”

“Oh, Jayce, there you are!” The cry cuts through the surrounding chatter. 

A very familiar voice Viktor has heard time and time again at those past birthdays and visits. A voice that would wrap him up in fondness and cradle his aching heart. Only now it squeezes the breath right out of him. 

He chances a look over his shoulder and spots none other than Mrs. Talis a couple tables down, with Ms. Kiramman in tow. The two women wave eagerly as they make their way down the aisle. A sight far too sweet to be so terrifying. 

Viktor is forcibly snatched forwards by the front of his vest, nose to nose with Jayce as he hurriedly whispers, “Viktor, it is very important for you to remember I call her ‘momma’ and she-”

“Wait, you expect me to-”

“Yes or she will know something is wrong! And you know she is extremely doting and fusses over me. Just go with it, act embarrassed and say how you’re busy and we can chat tomorrow.”

“That seems a bit rude to your mother.”

“Do you want to have a mother-son chat with her as me? Do you believe you can do it?”

While the thought warms his heart, trying to appear exactly as Jayce to his own mother could be a disaster. Judging by how badly Jayce gave him the ‘save me’ eyes with Ms. Young, Viktor feels he may fare no better.

“Exactly,” Jayce frantically pushes on, his eyes darting over Viktor’s shoulder again. “And then remember it’s ‘Cait’. It’s odd she’s not accompanying her mother, so mention that.”

As soon as Jayce lets go of Viktor’s vest his head spins with the information and only a few precious seconds to get back into character as Jayce Talis. He barely gets a breath in and the two women are upon them. Jayce wouldn’t merely stand to greet his own family. A thought giving way to an inner cringe as he stands to awkwardly make his way around the table.

“Momma!” Viktor’s entire face is aflame as he’s thrown back to a time where he was a small child crying out to his own mother. It is surprisingly more pleasant than he gave credit for. “Cait! I wasn’t sure I would see either of you.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t miss this for the world!” Mrs. Talis rushes in for a hug, her smaller arms wrapping around his larger frame in a blissful embrace that soothes his doubts and quiets his racing thoughts. He returns the gesture eagerly, unafraid of being seen as a broken man.

 He glances to Ms. Kiramman bubbling with excitement and smiles. “Cait, I see you are not in the company of your mother?”

Ms. Kiramman’s face pinches in a pout as Viktor sadly pulls away from Mrs. Talis. “She’s being overly dramatic and demanding in how my life is going, as always. I will not suffer through her disappointment all night! She knew I wanted to become an enforcer, yet she has the audacity to act appalled when I start following through with it! And-”

Well, Viktor can see why this would be an important point to bring up. The young woman is ranting about her mother with such intensity that she hardly notices anything in her vicinity. He flashes a grin at Jayce, impressed by his brilliance, but his partner looks more like he’s sweating it out than casually eavesdropping as he pretends to focus on the Hexgates’ panel.

“Now, now, Caitlyn dear. You know your mother is only worried about you,” Mrs. Talis tuts after Ms. Kiramman finally takes a breath from her complaints. “Enforcer work is quite dangerous. I can empathize as I worry about Jayce.” Viktor’s arm is taken in her hands with a loving rub and he leans into it.

Ms. Kiramman groans. “I won’t be in any real danger. And Jayce is perfectly safe in his lab!” The look she gives speaks many levels of mischievous intent and gives him pause. “Unless you plan on blowing up any more buildings or lab experiments?” She giggles, and Mrs. Talis gasps, clutching his arm tighter as if hoping it isn’t true.

Viktor tries not to startle at the turn of conversation. Apparently this topic is fine to laugh about? He chances a questioning look over to a very pale Jayce, who smiles and rolls his eyes for Viktor’s benefit.

Teasing one another then. He can do that. He recalls a story Jayce shared with him not that long ago.

“In a world where Caitlyn Kiramman misses a very important shot during testing, who’s to say what else may happen?”

The young woman gasps as if scandalized, hand over her heart.

Mrs. Talis grabs a hold of Viktor’s other arm and pulls for all of his attention to fall on her. “Please do not joke about such things! You know how easily it agitates me!”

Viktor pats one of her hands, truly apologetic. “Not to worry, momma. I’m only teasing Cait.” He feels very childish, but sticks his tongue out at the younger woman, who grins widely and returns the favor. 

This wasn’t too hard, acting as a child once more. It is… entertaining, actually.

“Oh, dear…” Mrs. Talis reaches up to cup Viktor’s face, turning him back once more, her tone worried and fussing. “Are you getting sick? You sound so unlike yourself.”

“Ah…” His mind goes blank, unable to come up with an excuse as she conducts a thorough examination, clearly searching for an explanation on why her son appears to be an impostor.

Until Jayce steps in.

“Oh, Mrs. Talis,” he coughs and sounds a little too convincing for it, “we have been slightly under the weather as of late. Getting everything ready for today has taken a toll and our immune systems may have taken a hit as a result.”

Mrs. Talis gives Ms. Kiramman a pointed look, and the young woman tenses before forcing a smile. 

“Oh, hey, Viktor! Could you give me a show of your Hexgates? I haven’t seen your final prototype yet! I thought maybe I could try catching this time?” She rushes around the table to stand beside Jayce, who glances warily between Viktor and Mrs. Talis before beginning the setup to explain and demonstrate the version she hasn’t seen.

“My sweet boy…” Mrs. Talis pulls Viktor a few steps away from the table and gently caresses his cheek. He almost leans into the touch, watching as her large eyes meet his with such genuine, tender affection. 

It’s no wonder how Jayce became the caring man he is today.

“Is… everything okay?” he whispers, placing his own hand atop of hers.

She nods, but the shine in her eyes gives her away. With a quiet exhale, she busies herself by adjusting his tie and smoothing out his vest.

“It is always a mother’s job to worry about her child.” She looks back up into his eyes. “And Jayce… are you sure you are alright?” She leans in and whispers, “You are not having any more of those terrible thoughts today, are you?”

The clamoring around them fades into a soft buzz in the background. 

This is a question too serious for him to give voice to. He risks a glance at Jayce, who’s too busy handing Ms. Kiramman the padded gloves and offering instructions, completely unaware of the quiet storm building, and not just from his mother. 

Terrible thoughts?

A mental flash of a man on the ledge strikes him. But surely his mother never knew about that night? And it was years ago… What terrible thoughts could he be having now? He tries to laugh lightly, to brush it off as nothing.

“You don’t need to worry yourself. I haven’t had terrible thoughts like that in a while.”

“But honey, it was only a couple days ago you came over in one of your episodes after your fight with…” Her eyes flick over towards Jayce.

The room tilts, and the buzzing drone around them grows louder and shrill, almost piercing. Viktor takes a step back, struggling to keep his knees from buckling beneath him. “W-What?”

Mrs. Talis rubs up and down his arms gently. “I know how much he means to you, and you can’t bear the thought of him hating you, but-”

“What?! I don’t hate-! Viktor doesn’t hate me!”

“Yes! Just like I told you! I imagine working on your dream can be overwhelming sometimes, and things might be said in frustration, but I know you both want nothing but the best for each other.” 

They both glance over at Jayce and Ms. Kiramman as the young woman catches the small plastic ship with the padded gloves. She looks back at them briefly before excitedly running to ask Jayce to do it again. 

“But you need to treat yourself with grace too. Look at where you are! And Viktor is right here beside you and looks to be happy himself! I told you how things would smooth over and work out between you. Everything will be okay, so try not to get stuck in your head and worry yourself into that dark place again… for me? For Caitlyn? For Viktor?” She smiles warmly up to Viktor and wipes her eyes. “We all love you, Jayce.”

Viktor feels the sting of tears and struggles to swallow around the lump forming in his throat. 

Jayce himself is trying and failing to act more calm and collected over Ms. Kiramman’s reaction to being smacked in the shoulder, crumbling in fits of laughter.

This man who exudes nothing but confidence and joy to the world a near majority of the time has been falling apart in front of his mother? And over a fight they had? Jayce only a couple days ago thought Viktor hated him?

Viktor rubs his hands over his eyes, then stares blearily at Mrs. Talis with what he hopes is a reassuring smile. “Thank you, momma. I love all of you too, and… I believe you’re right.” 

Jayce finally catches his eye and tilts his head, a questioning look in his eyes as they dart between them. 

“The prototype is doing just fine, I’m in a good place, and… I believe Viktor and I will be much better from here on out.”

Mrs. Talis wipes her eyes again and beams. She lunges forward to give Viktor another hug and he returns it back tenfold.

“Hey!” Jayce walks over, Ms. Kiramman following closely behind with a worried frown. “Is… everything fine over here?” His gaze bores into Viktor, a million unspoken questions screaming beneath the surface.

“Of course! Momma is being as sweet and compassionate as ever.” Viktor gives the woman one last squeeze before letting go for her to face them as well.

“Viktor dear, if you are both feeling a little sick, why don’t you come over soon? I can make you and Jayce a healthy soup to help you feel better. The two of you can take a break from all this work and all of us can relax together.”

“Oh, thank you, Mrs. Talis, I would be delighted!”

Viktor’s heart swells at the thought - the domesticity of a family coming together. Jayce and Mrs. Talis… to think of them as his own family, sitting together, sharing a meal, simply existing in each other’s company. He tries to steady his breathing, fighting back the wave of emotion threatening to take over.

Ms. Kiramman looks between Jayce and Viktor and coughs slightly. “Oh, I believe they may have given me whatever cold they have too…”

“Oh, Caitlyn, you know you don’t need to pretend. You’re always welcome! And I hope you know the same applies to you too, Viktor. My son here is quite attached. He’s always going on about you and-”

“Momma!”

There are few times Viktor has felt such mortifying humiliation. He once presented a ‘working solution’ to a problem Professor Heimerdinger had, only to have the professor effortlessly point out flaws to his logic. 

This is worse. It isn’t even his mistake, but by all appearances, it was. 

Jayce’s mouth hangs open in shock from his own unexpected slip.

Ms. Kiramman covers her mouth, shaking with inaudible laughter. She locks eyes with Viktor and wiggles her eyebrows at him.

How could Jayce do this to him?

“I-I mean, Mrs. Talis…” Jayce slaps a hand to his forehead, dragging his fingers through his hair and yanking like it will remove this memory before it has the chance to haunt him.

“Please, I would be honored if you called me ‘momma’! I feel I already know you as I do my own son from everything I have heard. No need to feel embarrassed.”

Ms. Kiramman leans over to Jayce. “Though a little silly you were the one who shouted it and not Jayce.” She gives each of them a pointed look, eyes losing the mirth of the situation as they grow serious.

“Secondhand embarrassment?” Viktor tries.

Ms. Kiramman quickly closes in on Viktor, her smile wide. He panics, wondering what might be lurking in that head of hers. Keeping her back to Jayce, she whispers, “It’s strange because it’s Viktor. Quite the ridiculous mistake, wouldn’t you agree? Are you hiding something from me? Are you sure it’s just ‘brotherly affection’, as you keep insisting so adamantly?”

The tease hits Viktor like a punch to the sternum.

Brotherly affection.

A label for their relationship he’s dreaded hearing for far too long.

And now, it’s out and clear as day. Just as he was beginning to find the confidence to court Jayce.

“Come now, Caitlyn,” Mrs. Talis cuts in with a whisper as well. “You know how Jayce feels about this topic. It’s not kind to do and right in front of Viktor.”

Ms. Kiramman purses her lips and offers a soft apology before looking up at Viktor, suddenly stilling.

There’s no doubt she sees all of his worst fears staring back at her. But it makes sense, doesn’t it? Jayce treats Ms. Kiramman like a little sister, with open kindness, teasing banter, friendly touches, and love. 

Familial love.

“I’m really sorry. It’s the last time I’ll tease you about it, I swear.”

The apology barely registers. He finds himself looking past her to stare at Jayce. The only person who could ever cause so much damage to his life. 

Jayce only watches on silently, as if witnessing a train run directly through Viktor. And it feels like one had.

“It is fine, Ms. Kiramman. You do constantly tease me about it after all.”

“Ms. Kir-? Jayce, I am sorry! You typically laugh it off.”

Of course Jayce would laugh it off. 

Viktor doesn’t know if he can do this any more. The competition, the pretending to be Jayce. Everything inside him is screaming in pain and claws relentlessly at his insides until they’re nothing but ribbons unraveling.

To be given hope so easily mere hours ago and watch as it’s ripped away from him with two simple words.

“Well, my boys,” Mrs. Talis claps her hands to draw all attention towards her, and she reaches a hand out for Ms. Kiramman. “I am so happy to see you both doing so well for yourselves! It appears you have another line of people to show your invention to!”

They both turn back to their table and sure enough there are a couple groups of people marveling over the Hexgates.

Viktor gives Mrs. Talis a final side hug and whispers a, “Thank you,” against her hair before turning to walk back to their table with Jayce.

Mrs. Talis follows and looks at Jayce warmly. 

He fidgets as if unsure he should reach for his mother. 

“Would it be too imposing to ask you for a hug?”

“Not at all!” Jayce bites his lip with an apologetic look at Viktor, as though that was the most inaccurate portrayal he has made thus far. 

Viktor attempts a smile, but knows it is probably the saddest excuse for one.

Mrs. Talis wraps her arms around Jayce and he tenses to it, but embraces her as well, squeezing his eyes shut to what Viktor can only assume is the onslaught of feelings in Viktor’s own body registering it as a familial hug.

Once Mrs. Talis and Ms. Kiramman have left the area, Viktor looks over his partner. The attempt to reel every emotion back from surfacing is nearly as painful as the emotions themselves. This will be the true test of his life’s work of building his mental fortress.

“I know, I know… I messed up pretty badly…”

Viktor shrugs and plays at nonchalant normalcy. “It’s fine. I knew I would be the victor here by a landslide regardless.”

“By a landslide, do you mean a small disturbance of rocks?”

“Be that as it may, I do rather look forward to calling Mrs. Talis ‘mother’.” The light joke lands poorly, sounding more like an irritation than humor.

“Ah, yeah, I’m really sorry about-”

“Do not apologize. I am quite serious.” 

As any brother would.

The flustered emotions leave Jayce all at once. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand your meaning. Everything is fine.”

Jayce whips in front of him in a flash. “You do understand, and no it’s not. Cait said something that upset you. What did she say?”

They watch one another for a long moment before they hear the clamor, “There’s Jayce Talis! Mr. Talis, isn’t this contraption yours? We’d like to ask some questions!”

“Yeah, like why is it glowing blue and not gold? Are you not The Golden Boy?”

Viktor grimaces at the thought of putting up with this again, but it's better than wallowing or running out the door.

“Apologies Jayce, but the people are calling.”
 

After the next group of people are hurried through a demonstration, Viktor excuses himself from the table under the pretense of stretching his legs. 

The all-consuming need to escape has him buzzing with anxious energy. Every emotion caged beneath his ribs claws at him to break free, to tear him apart, and he can no longer hide behind a mask of neutrality.

“I’ll come too. You need to tell me why-”

“I need to tell you absolutely nothing. What I need is a break from this maddening competition. The city’s and your’s alike.” The venom in his tone keeps Jayce from further speaking or following. He would feel guilty if he wasn’t near a complete breakdown already.

Viktor peels away with a heavy chest and constricting throat, winding through the crowds of people and ignoring every civilian calling out for him. He didn’t even know where he was going, just responding to his instincts to get as far away from the cause of his pain before he snaps and has a break down right in front of him.

How could he let Jayce’s little hint of bisexuality get him carried away and blind to the reality he had already known? The idea that Jayce could hold Viktor in such a romantic light is a ridiculous notion. Viktor, the physically and emotionally broken man from the Undercity. No background or known reputation to deserve someone so far beyond him for starters. Jayce’s own partner who was so horrid with expressing himself that bitter hate made more sense over affectionate love.

He was a fool.

“Mr. Talis?”

Viktor falters in his next step and inwardly screams, wanting more to fall on the floor right there and let everything consume him. He cannot stomach this. Not now and not from her. He turns with a greeting anyways because she deserves it. 

“Ms. Young.”

The woman frowns at him. “Is everything alright? You… don’t seem yourself.”

“Is that right? Please enlighten me.”

“Um… you’re typically more cheerful?”

For all the love he holds for this woman, he is about ready to throw a fit. Pretending to be cheerful was hard enough before. Now it is downright impossible. 

“So I must always exude nothing but positivity for everyone or else everything is wrong and falls apart? Is that it?”

“No! I didn’t mean it like that, just… do you want to talk?”

“We are in the middle of a competition and there are too many people around to just ‘talk about-’” he yelps in surprise as his wrist is snatched and he finds himself being wheeled away towards an exit. 

Once they are out and in the fresh, open air with no one around them, Ms. Young spins around to him once more with a lifted brow in question.

“What’s going on? Is it Viktor? The both of you have been acting strangely today.”

Viktor grimaces and doesn’t meet her eyes, preferring to stare up at the sky to keep the tears at bay. 

She sighs as if exhausted already. “You always presented yourself as a bit more open, but you’re surprisingly more like him than I thought.”

“Is that why you always seem to hold back with Viktor? I never see you taking him by the wrist and dragging him away when he would clearly like to be left alone.”

Ms. Young’s eyebrows lift in surprise. “I brought you out here to see how you are doing because you’re obviously distressed!”

Where empathy is usually met with more patience, Viktor is consumed with rage and desperation vibrating through him. 

Everything is crashing down around him all at once: the built-up stress and frustration, the unspoken feelings, the foolish spark of hope from a revelation… and the far more agonizing one that shattered it: being seen as a brother.

“You barely know or care about me, so you can stop the act. I. Am. Fine.” He starts to turn before Ms. Young brazenly grabs a hold of his arm once more.

“That is not fair and you know it! I know you well enough, and I do care about you! This is so unlike you, Mr. Talis.”

He snatches his arm from her and snaps. “Because I am not Mr. Talis and I will never be Mr. Talis,” he chokes on a sob before gasping for air. His eyes sting and Ms. Young blurs before him, unable to hold it back any longer.

There is a long period of silence between them. Viktor is grateful for it as he tries to compose himself from the tears and unsteady breaths.

“Apologies, Ms. Young,” he rasps. “I truly am not myself today.”

The blurred visage of the woman is examining him with a tilt of her head. “No, you are exactly yourself… Viktor.”

The world stops turning and he feels he may be floating, but the dread overtakes him so quickly, he is crashing back to the ground.

“I was wondering… It was surprisingly easy speaking to ‘you’ earlier.”

Viktor is going to be sick. He got them both unmasked. “You’re wrong, you-”

“You both made terrible mistakes… You have never once called me Sky. At first I was thrilled when I thought you did, but… that was just Mr. Talis. He always calls me Sky… not Ms. Young.”

Viktor bites his lip. How could he have forgotten?

“And Mr. Talis is so expressive. He has no poker face.” She giggles. “It kept reminding me of you when we were kids. I guess that’s why it was so easy…”

“No one can know.”

“Why would I tell anyone…?” She eyes him up and down. “How did this happen? Were the two of you working on another one of your magical experiments and had a mishap?”

“Maybe another time when I’m not so emotionally drained…” Viktor looks at her and sees the endearment so evident. But he can never be the man she hopes him to be.

There is a hesitance coming over Ms. Young as she rubs at her arm. “So… you really do want to be a ‘Mr. Talis’?”

The question wraps around his heart and squeezes tightly. “I’m. So. Sorry… I…”

“Why?” She pauses a moment, searching his eyes. “There is nothing to apologize for.”

The tears freely run down his cheeks as he closes his eyes, unable to watch what he’s about to do to his oldest friend. “Because I know you care about me as more than a friend. And I have known for a while, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell you I do not feel the same. Because I could not bear losing you as my friend, and it's selfish and I-”

“You think you would lose my friendship because of that?”

Viktor blinks his eyes open. “How could you want to continue friendship if I-”

“Viktor.” She steps towards him, eyes wide and brimming with tears. “You are my biggest inspiration and one of the best people I know. Even if you do not feel the same for me… I don’t think I could ever see myself without you in my life, even if it is just as a friend.”

The sight and words are too much for Viktor. He covers his face with a shaking hand. “How? Tell me how…” His arm is pulled down and away from his face, forcing him to look at the damage done.

“Oh, Viktor… Because even though it hurts, I need you in my life. It’s that simple. And I have made it this far. I can keep going all the same, but now I know for sure. I… I kind of understood I needed to move on for a while now because of… how you are with Mr. Talis… I just wanted to keep pretending.”

He understands that too perfectly.

A sudden warmth embraces him so tenderly and with so much love and understanding. He grabs on to her like a lifeline to hold him from crumbling to the ground.

Jayce was right about her.

“It’s funny too. For the longest time… I did love you as a friend. Then we got older and something changed. Just when it was becoming so much and I was questioning what had changed, I told myself I could have called you a brother.”

He stills. “You… what?”

They pull apart, both wiping their eyes.

She breathes heavily, and pulls her journal close to her heart. “I’m not sure how to explain it. That moment where you see your friend and you think there may be something more and it’s scary? You want to replace it with something greater, but it’s hard, so… yeah, a brother… kind of silly, right?”

The thought is silly. Silly and hopeful, but Viktor is exhausted and tired of hope. He extinguishes that spark before it becomes even a flicker.

“I know talking about your feelings isn’t your strong suit, but I’m here for you if you ever need me, okay? If you… ever want to talk about Mr. Talis?”

“While that sounds nice, maybe another time.” 

“Of course!” She looks over to the event center. “Speaking of… I think it’s time you get back to Mr. Talis… he needs you. He always needs you, you know that, right?” She rubs his arm reassuringly. “Don’t give up on him because you’re afraid and hurting right now. Everything will be okay.”

Viktor finds it in himself to give the smallest smile. “I suppose you are right. Thank you… Sky.”

And her smile, though heartbroken, was the most radiant he had ever seen from her in that moment.

“How do you do it?” Viktor sits down in his own stiff metal chair next to Jayce and nearly collapses onto the table.

The abrupt return shakes Jayce out of his pensive state to quickly turn. “Do what?”

“How do you smile so enthusiastically all the time and give all these spiels over and over without wanting to break the next thing you see?”

There’s a brief flicker of mirth lighting Jayce’s eyes, but it fades quickly. “You… seem to be in a better mood?”

Viktor leans against the table on his elbow with a scowl. “Not a better mood… just… I can’t give up in the middle of it all, can I?”

“I never knew you as a quitter.” Jayce eases back against his pillow, seemingly pacified. “Are you… going to tell me what happened?”

Viktor glares a hole into the Hexgate. “Maybe on my deathbed.”

Jayce startles forward. “Surely whatever Cait said wasn’t that bad?!”

They stare at one another for a moment, Viktor pondering how to respond until Jayce’s eyes go wide.

Ms. Kiramman did mention how the ‘brotherly affection’ was a constant tease, so surely it doesn’t take much to click into place.

He flounders to try and not make this awkward and hurt more than it already does. “She’s a teenager, Jayce. It was nothing bad. I just don’t have the same rapport with her as you do.” 

Despite his attempt to brush it off, Jayce falls back against his pillow as if struck heavily and stares at the Hexgates with a distant, unreadable gaze.

Viktor hates this. Every little bit of it. This is why he never talks about his feelings. It hurts entirely too much.

“You never answered my question.”

Jayce looks back at him, but it is so empty and lifeless, it’s like staring into a mirror. “Well you never answered mine ei-”

“Damn it, Jayce, just tell me how you’re able to go on acting like everything is fine before I throw this fucking wooden ship at the next man that dares to call me ‘Golden Boy’!”

 Jayce clenches his jaw, then falls silent, his expression turning thoughtful as he stares down at his hands. “Well, I guess I learned it from my dad at an early age. I always looked up to him and wanted to be like him. He was a pretty charismatic guy. Kind of had to be to get his own business up and running, you know? He was the ‘fake it until you make it’ kind of person. Always finding happiness in life. Had momma and me smiling and laughing… even if there was nothing to smile or laugh about…”

The painted picture of a man long gone does sound a lot like Jayce. 

“I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you talk about your father before.”

There’s a shrug of shoulders, the lifeless look never fading. “He died when I was young. He… got really sick…” His attention finally redirects back to Viktor, and he clutches at his chest. “It started very mildly. Just a cough here and there. Kind of like you’ve been doing lately. Kind of like what I’ve been experiencing today.”

The unexpected turn of topics stills Viktor. Whatever it is lurking deep in Viktor’s lungs, it had only just started rearing its head. He feels a pain in his own chest, but this is not a subject he wants to touch on in the middle of the competition either.

“I am sorry, Jayce. I can empathize with the pain of losing a parent at a young age. It changes your worldview.”

“Yeah, well I don’t want to talk about a parent I have already lost.” He turns fully in his chair with a glower. “I’d much rather talk about the partner I have that refuses to tell me anything.”

“And your partner has every right not to share something if he doesn’t want to.”

Tears form in Jayce’s eyes and Viktor’s heart shatters to it. 

“Why won’t you let me in?”

“Because I can’t stand to see this look on your face over me!”

The anger and tears fall freely from Jayce’s eyes. “Viktor…”

“And I would appreciate it if we refrained from speaking on it anymore while we are here.” Viktor wipes at his face and stands, the need to bolt from the table and out of the event center stronger than before.

And then he spots her coming straight for their table and nearly folds to the ground.

“Jayce Talis, there you are.”

Jayce jumps to the tone that demanded attention and wipes away the tears before turning.

Councilor Kiramman makes her way towards them, and not too far behind her is Councilor Medarda taking in another table’s invention with mild amusement.

The earlier run in with the beautiful woman flashes through his mind. The way she had measured him up as Jayce and how he completely failed. Viktor recoils over their mutual challenge. A promise made only hours ago, when they were teasing each other and he was floating on cloud nine to the possibilities awaiting them.

Now the idea of impersonating Jayce Talis is a waking nightmare. 

Viktor is well past the point of mental or emotional stability. He swallows his pride, along with every whirlwind emotion tearing through his chest, as he walks to the front of their table, all too aware of the worried gaze from his partner tracking his every move.

There are plenty of memories to draw from when it comes to Jayce’s interactions with each councilor, but none that Viktor can even begin to stomach portraying. 

What’s worse is he can’t find it in himself to care.

He knows these women enough. He knows the Council enough.

“Councilor Kiramman, glad you could make it.” His tone is flat and sounds more menacing than a welcome invitation.

The woman pauses, but continues towards their table with a gracious smile. “I would not dream of missing it. I have backed you as my protege from the beginning after all. It is quite a marvel to witness your successes.”

A laughable comment, coming from the woman who turned her back on Jayce in a very dire moment.

“Backed me from the beginning? Funny, I recall our ‘beginning’ much differently.”

Jayce tenses from the corner of his eye. There’s an attempt of a small wave to get his attention, but Viktor only stands taller and gives a baffled Councilor Kiramman a moment for response.

“I thought we buried that past, Jayce. And it is neither the time nor the place to dig it up.”

“You’ve caught me at a rare time.”

Councilor Kiramman narrows her eyes, but holds her tongue in thought.

“Councilor Kiramman,” Jayce quickly inserts himself with a chuckle. “I hope you know we both really appreciate all of your contributions to our endeavors here.” 

Tread carefully, his amber eyes flash dangerously.

“Yes,” Viktor nearly growls. “I apologize Councilor. It has been a stressful couple years trying to put this together, as I’m sure you can imagine. We appreciate all you have contributed.”

This seems to calm her down, though still visibly on edge. She approaches Jayce and the table, her eyes scanning over the Hexgates.

“It looks as though you two have everything prepared nicely. Councilor Medarda and Councilor Heimerdinger have been singing your praises for quite some time with the Hexgates. I look forward to seeing you showcase it.”

“Yes, we expect nothing short of first place.” 

Councilor Medarda approaches their table, no doubt having caught the exchange. Her gaze sweeps over him, dissecting and pulling him apart piece by piece. He attempts a smile, but fears it lands somewhere between manic and murderous.

“Mr. Talis… Are you feeling quite alright? You appear… strained,” Medarda drawls as she steps next to Councilor Kiramman. Both women now appraising him.

His smile falters, teeth showing in a near snarl because of course Jayce would be strained after sleepless days and nights of going at this. Of course Jayce would want to bolt from the lab and have a mental breakdown to his mother over him. Of course Jayce would be a little fucking unhinged and ready to break something! How could they have the gall to act surprised? As though Jayce is some puppet who must perform accordingly or he is seen unfit, inhuman. 

“I am-”

“He is ill today!” Jayce abruptly stands and calls for their attention with a smile. “The carriage ride over, I must admit, was less than desirable, but Jayce was already feeling sick before that...”

Councilor Medarda evaluates Jayce before training her attention back to Viktor. “He seemed well enough earlier in the streets when I saw him.”

Viktor bites his tongue, but cannot hold back every emotion tensing in his jaw, wrinkling his nose, flaring in his eyes. 

Councilor Medarda’s mask slips. This is not their Golden Boy. This is a rabid dog, standing where their sweet, compliant pet once was.

“Yes, Councilor, but with illness, it’s not uncommon for symptoms to worsen over time,” Jayce offers, his voice strained. He throws Viktor a pleading look, so desperate it puts all of his ‘save me’ expressions to shame. Viktor can hardly stomach it and wrestles for composure.

“Well, I do hope you recover quickly, Mr. Talis.” Councilor Kiramman huffs. “The main event has yet to start.”

“Indeed. And I have exciting news for you that I do hope you are well enough to take.” The ice resonating from Councilor Medarda chills Viktor enough to stall his heart.

“What news?”

“We have received word that Councilor Heimerdinger is unfortunately running late and has volunteered you to give the speech for the opening of the event.”

Volunteered you.

To give the speech.

“What?!” Viktor nearly screams at the councilors and hears the echo of it in his own voice from Jayce.

There was never a moment where Viktor could dream of the professor being an evil creature, but here he is, cursing his mentor’s name under his breath to this absolute betrayal.

The councilors stand tall before him, sizing him up like a defective piece of scrap that believes to be something shiny and revolutionary.

“We thought you would be overjoyed at the prospect?” Medarda folds her hands in front of her.

A fit of nausea courses over and chills his insides. He holds back the need to vomit as it quickly heats. He could not stand in front of this insane, massive crowd of people to speak. No. He would ruin Jayce’s perfect display of showmanship and their work being taken seriously if he did.

“I am honored, truly!” His wild gaze finds Jayce, appearing just as panicked and possibly thinking the same: Viktor could not do this. “I just-”

“It is too last minute!” Jayce hurries around the table, beseeching these women. “Professor Heimerdinger could have it postponed to give the speech himself, surely?” He is speaking much too fast and losing a hold on the accent. 

The councilors watch him warily as if they may need to take a step back. The normally quiet and seemingly docile of the two becoming almost manic with his plea. 

They’re going to be found out.

Medarda tilts her head slightly to Jayce. “Unfortunately his timing will be too late. He had sent a missive by messenger stating it would be well into the evening when he would appear for the final showcase.” She glances at Viktor. “Is there a reason this is too burdensome for you, Mr. Talis?” 

There are many reasons, actually. Like the mere mention of it making him ill enough to nearly vomit.

“I… truly cannot get on stage tonight…”

“Hm. You are not the same protege I have watched grow and flourish over the years, Jayce.” Councilor Kiramman examines her gloved fingers. “I have funded your projects for years, yet you refuse this grand opportunity offered? A man for progress and ingenuity ought to know better than to turn down any moment to get his namesake and invention out to the world. Perhaps my funding is better used elsewhere on those who would appreciate it.” 

This woman could not be serious. Viktor can see the very moment Jayce’s resolve crumbles into pieces.

Everything they have worked so hard for to get here and a speech could be their very downfall? Jayce’s downfall?

“I…”

He can’t let this affect Jayce.

“I can do it.”

Jayce nearly knocks the table back with his weight and opens his mouth, but whatever he is about to say will not help their situation, so Viktor stands a bit straighter with a confidence he does not possess.

“I’ll give the opening speech.”

Both councilors nod and smile their approval.

“There’s the Jayce Talis I have known all these years.” Councilor Kiramman inclines her head as she turns to their Hexgates. 

Councilor Medarda pauses to examine Viktor thoughtfully before turning as well.

Viktor lets his fumbling partner take the forefront of speaking further with the two. The weight of his limbs pulls him down as he trudges back over to his seat and collapse into it. Their back and forth conversation sounds far away and mumbled as he stares off at nothing in particular, trying to piece together what just happened, what he agreed to.

He is barely keeping himself together as is. And now he’s daring to believe he could do the impossible.

Jayce Talis, you will be the death of me.

Chapter Text

Jayce

Over the past three years Jayce has seen multiple scenarios that brought distress and all the ways in which Viktor reacted to them. The maddening delirium caused by consistent late nights leading up to hard deadlines. The blind and unhinged rage due to the combustion of a prototype. The snipping venom and silent treatments after an argument between them.

Each and every version is different from the last. 

This mounting episode is daring to become something entirely different. A slow culmination of them all coming to a head. But what made it worse was the reasoning behind it. 

Jayce didn’t want to ruminate on what was said between Viktor and Cait, he could not stomach it. No matter how hard he tried, that haunting paranoia kept whispering in his ear, regardless.

She teased him about your more than friendly feelings towards him. As she always does.

What she could have said to Viktor is too easy to imagine.

“So, Viktor just called your mother ‘momma’… Are the two of you finally going steady?”

But the reaction of his own body’s warmer complexion had paled, and Viktor stared at Jayce as though he was witnessing the world ending - their world ending. It had torn through Jayce painfully and turned up those inner voices.

He knows and he hates it.

It’s funny you even had hope.

Why would anyone want to be with a mess like you? Especially Viktor.

The man you ignored for far too long.

But he was being paranoid for certain. He couldn’t jump to conclusions. Everything between them today spoke the exact opposite.

So he continued on as normal and forced those voices down to a murmur.

And Viktor fell back into that dour mood of avoiding, giving the silent treatment, then spitting venom to escape.

Whatever was said was so uncomfortable, Viktor ran from you.

Just like everyone runs from you eventually.

Because you are too selfish.

The murmurs grew and weighed down on him in his solitude and made speaking with civilians that much harder. Until that moment of Viktor finally coming back and Jayce asked one last time, “Surely whatever Cait said wasn’t that bad?!” 

The pained hesitance was all the confirmation needed.

He understands too easily now why Viktor was fearful with Sky. To have the nagging, negative voices speak your worst fears to life. This only seemed to be the beginning of pulling away and putting distance between them. They only needed to finish this competition, and Viktor would see himself out of their lab and out of Jayce's life.

The hollowness left behind from his heart being snatched out of his chest had Jayce lifeless and struggling to keep up appearances.

How does one act normal after this?

He would like an answer as well.

But then there had been another turn of events.

Cassandra had put Viktor in an unfair position, and Jayce struggled to pull himself back from it. The idea she would stoop so low just to ensure her protege performed as desired was hard to digest. Jayce could manage this part of his life, anxiety-inducing as it was, but it was nothing compared to what it must have been doing to his partner. 

Jayce had taken over speaking with the councilors to give Viktor a moment to breathe, but a moment wasn’t enough, could never be enough. Not when your own personal hell was hanging over your head, with everything at stake for one last performance on a tightrope above the fiery pit.

But Viktor had agreed to it… He looked Jayce right in the eye with the fear more than evident. Viktor knew very well that walking away would put a huge dent in Jayce’s dreams - their dreams - so he chose to stay and try.

For Jayce.

It’s enough to shake the heartache.

Viktor has shown up for Jayce over and over again. No matter what either of them may or may not be feeling, this is obvious. Jayce has long decided he will also show up for his partner. Even when it’s not discussed or hinted. And if Viktor finds it a little too uncomfortable to know Jayce’s feelings lean more into a more romantic form of intimacy, Jayce will not allow an easy escape.

Because he needs Viktor in his life.

He loves this man too much. 

And sometimes love is selfish.

It is time to dig his nails in and hold on for dear life.

Jayce finishes up with giving the same spiel to a small group of possible investors, determination settling over him on next steps after reflecting on it. He sighs heavily and turns to Viktor, fully prepared to give him the pep talk of a lifetime. 

But Viktor’s seat is empty.

Glancing around their table and the vicinity as a whole, there is no sight of his partner.

Viktor is spiraling.

The lonely tower alcove overlooking Piltover comes to mind. A place of solitude where Viktor finds peace of mind and comfort. A place Jayce himself found Viktor brooding many times over the years. But that is entirely too far…

He quickly pulls out their ‘On Break’ stock paper to lay on the table before leaving to find his panicking partner.

Where would Viktor go to escape in a place like this? A secluded area away from all the prying eyes and people calling out to him for sure. 

Jayce exits the building to find very few people milling about. It’s a start. He recalls a small floral garden out of sight from the main road around the corner of the building from previous visits and deems it more than appropriate.

A couple minutes of walking and he reaches the ornate path leading into the beautiful garden. There are elegant topiaries cut into the likeness of the founders set into every large and open space with placards explaining their histories and contributions. Floral arrangements in bright bursts of color lining the walkways and large bushes designed as barriers from section to section. 

Jayce wanders the garden’s maze-like paths as far as he can manage, with no sign of anyone, least of all Viktor. As he reaches the last open space, still alone with concern, he’s about ready to give up on this spot. That’s when he hears it: miserable retching. Following the sound, he discovers a narrow, barely used path leading to a crumbling gazebo. Leaning over its railing is Viktor. 

One good look at his profile tells Jayce all he needs to know about his state. His face is pale and twisted in agony, body quivering from the nervous retching. The sight is enough for Jayce to say ‘screw it’ to the opening speech too, not wanting his partner to go through suffering like this just for Jayce’s benefit.

The tell-tale clicking of the crutch must be a giveaway at this point. He steps into the gazebo and closer to Viktor, but the man does not turn or show any acknowledgement. 

Jayce sidles up next to him to stare off at the florals beyond the railing and sigh. 

“I could take over and give the speech for you. You really shouldn’t suffer like this over it.”

“No,” Viktor struggles through speaking as he dry heaves, catching his breath through the nausea. “If you take over and succeed,” he finally looks at Jayce, “and we both know you would, then it would create an unprecedented expectation for my willingness to-” His face pales further as if the thought alone has another bout of nausea rolling through him. Viktor leans back over the garden bed and gags.

There’s a lightness coming over him. Viktor is speaking as though he is not planning on cutting and running after the competition after all. He reaches out and pauses, hand hovering over the small of Viktor’s back. 

“Can I… rub your back? Or would that be too much?”

Viktor trembles as he tries to catch his ragged breath, but manages a small nod. 

Jayce places his hand low on his back to rub light, soothing circles.

They stand like this for a brief period. Neither speaking as Viktor steadies his breathing and Jayce provides what little physical comfort he can offer. 

The anxious man leans his head down on his arms and Jayce can still feel the tremors course through him.

“Okay,” Jayce thinks back to his original plan. “So you are going to give the opening speech…”

A whining sob comes out of Viktor, and he somehow curls in on himself even more.

“Viktor…” 

Maybe he could turn this around, but it would require a certain amount of… openness. But is that even relevant at this point? 

“I don’t think you realize how great a speaker you are.”

That gets a dry laugh out of his partner. He raises his head to glare at Jayce. “Now is not the time to give me one of your motivational speeches filled with pretty lies.”

“I’m not lying!” Jayce leans heavily against the railing to be sure Viktor doesn’t miss how genuine he is. “I’ve seen you in action! You’ve assisted with Professor Heimerdinger’s classes and gave plenty of lectures that are clear and brilliant! And the way you can run through explanations and processes of Hextech? It’s better than I could ever dream up! I honestly use you and what you say as the basis for any speeches I make. You never give yourself enough credit… ever.”

Viktor stares Jayce down for a moment before loosening up to lean a bit straighter against the railing. “I did not realize I was a source for your inspiration.”

“Of course you are! Viktor, you’re the only person I’ve ever met that sees me for who I am and accepts me. Every part of me. Even the parts I struggle with myself. And we’re always on the same wavelength. The way we bounce ideas off one another, or research in tandem together and somehow find the same articles to share, how we test into the early morning hours until we’ve succeeded… how passionate we are for the same things.”

There is a pause where Viktor looks more like a frightened animal ready to bolt, but he merely drives his focus towards the florals and clears his throat. “This is true… I feel… the same for you.”

There’s a thrill that comes over Jayce to the admission, pushing back that terrifying paranoia. Finally a moment where he’s reaching his hand out and not being pushed away.

“Though we have been a bit off-kilter as of late…” the broken whisper speaks volumes of Jayce’s own fears.

But Jayce is tired of being pushed away, of being misunderstood.

He sinks his metaphorical nails in deep with a firm planting of his feet. 

“That happens with everyone! We’re not always going to get along. Because we’re human beings with different experiences, thoughts, and feelings! Besides, I think we’ve both had plenty reasons to stress and bicker with each other, you especially with how out of tune I’ve been with you… And I’m very sorry for being like that… I’m working really hard to address it now, but… at the end of the day there’s no love lost between us.”

Viktor’s shoulders jump and Jayce stills.

“There… there isn’t any love lost, is there?”

Viktor doesn’t even look at him, staring straight forward. “Mm… no, there is no love lost, Jayce…”

There’s a weight that lifts as Jayce exhales, his body leaning more heavily against the railing in relief. There is hope yet, but Viktor continues to stare off at the flowers, eyes flickering down to his hands fidgeting with the railing.

“I think since we’re both so comfortable with each other, that’s how you should go about this speech.”

Viktor turns his head slightly, raising a brow. “How do you mean?”

Jayce swallows around the quickly growing lump in his throat. “You’re able to speak with such confidence when it’s just the two of us. So… make this speech for me, the only person whose opinion that matters. Everyone else? They’re just students listening in on a lecture.” His chest tightens in anticipation and hands shake, but he never takes his eyes off Viktor. “You did say earlier how you would do anything for me.”

The bent over state of his partner straightens and turns to face Jayce, a look of absolute shock coloring his face a healthy color once more. 

As Jayce’s words sink in, a sly smile and downturn of Viktor’s brow catches him off guard. He hadn’t expected such a sudden shift, he was more than ready for nerves, maybe even another escape plan.

“Why, Jayce… and here I thought you’d merely taken that comment as part of my act in emulating you.”

Jayce’s face heats as the tables turn, and he suffers a startling need to bolt himself. “Oh… ha, I didn’t even consider…”

Viktor hums, eyes darting quickly between Jayce’s, his mind at work and deciding on something as he leans in closer. “No… It appears you did not…” Viktor’s smile widens as he glances over Jayce. “I suppose it works in theory. If I’m doing this for you and only you…”

Their eyes meet and Jayce’s stomach does a funny flip.

“Surely I can find a way to not screw it all to hell and back.” He draws forward against the railing again to stare at the garden with a scowl, deep in thought.

Okay, so this is going extremely well. Better than he could have expected. Viktor isn’t cringing or recoiling from his openness, and Jayce feels that need once more - to be completely vulnerable and bare for Viktor - like a terrible itch he must scratch. 

He shifts to nudge Viktor with his shoulder, vibrating with raw emotion over a topic they have never dared to broach. 

“Hey, I remember a time when you quite literally talked me off a ledge when I was in the middle of walking off it.”

Viktor snaps his head towards Jayce with anguished surprise, hands gripping the railing tight.

“And you did it so seamlessly! My whole world was falling apart right in front of me, and you came in and showed me the light effortlessly. When you didn’t even know me. Because you listened to me at the hearing, you read my research in my journal, and of all the places you could’ve gone that night, you went to that ruined workshop as if you knew. And… you found me…” 

Jayce wipes at his blurring vision and lets out a shaky laugh. 

“If you could come to me as a stranger and talk me down from that ledge, then you can do this, Viktor. I know you can.” 

He places a hand over Viktor’s. 

“Because I believe in you too. In everything you do, and even in the things you, for some reason, think you can’t.”

There’s a heavy tension hanging in the air, so thick Jayce feels it suffocating him, though in the most pleasant way. To be this openly vulnerable with someone he completely trusts, and to see that emotion reflected back at him in wide, searching hazel eyes - nervous, yes, but still meeting his gaze. And then Viktor’s hand turns beneath Jayce’s, fingers curling up to grip his, squeezing hard.

“Jayce…” His voice is a whisper as he looks down at their joined hands. “Thank you.” He gives one last squeeze before pulling away from the railing to stand tall. His gaze shifts to the event center, then to Jayce, eyes slightly unfocused. 

Once again Jayce can pinpoint that light shining in the hazel eyes, but this time, he fully recognizes it.

Such endearment. Such yearning. 

His body sparks with warmth, imagining Viktor’s amber eyes glossing over with it. How badly he wants it. The desire shakes him to his core as he recalls their earlier conversation that lead to this exact expression. He wonders if Viktor can see it in his eyes too, because Jayce has fallen, fully and undeniably, across a line he’s never crossed before. 

Wanting something real and lasting. With someone he trusts, someone he’s built a foundation of friendship with. Someone who has been, and still is, everything to him, from the very moment they met.

A spark flares in Viktor’s gaze, morphing into something more primal and needy. It shocks Jayce into a flinch at the sudden change. 

This time, when Viktor speaks, there is a husky undertone. “Let us get back and win this competition then, shall we?”

Jayce swallows and nods, unwilling to speak for fear his own voice might betray his emotions in such a manner. His knees tremble, and he falters on his first step, but Viktor catches his free arm and doesn’t let go. All the way through the garden and up to the event center doors, he holds on.

If there is a god, Jayce hopes they hear his prayer to not be stuck in each other’s likeness for much longer.

Viktor

Viktor is rightfully out of sorts. 

The conversation with Jayce had his mind spinning, flipping through every possible meaning and intent behind his words and actions. So far, his track record of reading their relationship hadn’t been great. The emotional whiplash over the entire day had him pulled taut in every direction, scrambling to keep himself together. 

Jayce’s not-so-little personal speech could’ve been nothing more than adoration. A high praise towards Viktor as the man that pulled him back from the brink, as someone he’d worked closely with and built a strong bond… or, as Viktor begrudgingly recalled, a brother.

He would’ve accepted that - dejectedly so but still accepted it. A packing away of emotions screaming inside him, if not for those final, lingering looks on Jayce’s face. Looks that stirred the caged beast deep in his chest that made him want to lunge at his partner if he were a lesser man ruled by baser instincts. 

But Jayce deserves something better than thoughtless impulse. The added awkwardness of being in one another’s bodies is also a great deterrent, something he must have patience on.

All of it is enough to make this opening speech not the hellscape it had been earlier. The horrific idea of so many people watching him, appraising him, knowing full well he couldn’t even shrug it off to not being a people person if it went sideways. Because he is now performing as Jayce Talis. A man with a reputation and successful future on the line.

But Jayce believes in Viktor, trusts him, is putting all his faith in him, and he would be damned if he let this be a failure with so much ridding on that line. He never cared how the public saw him. He only detested being the center of their attention, being judged when it was none of their business to do so. 

Jayce though? He cared a hell of a lot when it came to Jayce.

After a quick break to freshen up his appearance, rinse his mouth, and scream in an empty bathroom, Viktor is slightly more determined to take this on.

He can do this.

“If you would let me help you write it out-”

“Out of the question. I am doing this, so it will be done my way.”

The two of them had been sequestered from their table and to the stage. They were directed to take a seat - this time on cushioned chairs - behind the curtains and wait for updates on timing and cues. 

They sit across from one another, knees nearly touching as they lightly bicker - or more correctly, Jayce lightly bickers. Viktor is more preoccupied with his insides squirming in a nervous flurry, but for reasons that went beyond stage fright or public speaking.

“Besides,” Viktor holds a note card up in Jayce’s face, “Councilor Medarda was kind enough to provide the professor’s notes he was going to use for his own speech. I do believe the first one is at least usable for introductions.”

Jayce clenches his jaw as he bats the card away and runs his hands through his hair with a groan, a nervous mess in his own right.

“Do not worry, Jayce,” Viktor purrs with a grin. “I promise I will not ruin your reputation. You said you believed in me after all. Do you still?”

Jayce lowers his arm from snagging at his hair and bows his head. “Yes, I believe in you, I just…” He sits back up, watching curiously. “I thought you would want help in figuring out the speech. I’ve never seen you write one.”

Viktor scoffs. “You have never seen me write one because you always have it under control.”

There’s a visible vibration coursing through Jayce. His eye twitches and he grasps a hold of his crutch in such a way, the thought of ducking crosses Viktor’s mind.

He waves Jayce’s impatience off, voice saccharine sweet. “Did I mishear you say that I am the inspiration for your speeches?” 

He pauses a moment to watch Jayce jump and fumble with the hold on his crutch. 

“I do believe there is a name for that. I am the Golden Boy’s muse.”

The attempt of trying and failing to come off as annoyed is too precious on Jayce. “I’m regretting telling you that now.”

“Yes, you will not live that down any time soon. Do not fret, I have my own plans for this speech, you will see.”

Jayce groans. “Okay, okay, I’ll trust that you know what you’re doing.”

“Excuse me, gentlemen?”

They turn to a man dressed in a suit walking from on-stage towards them.

“Jayce Talis? You will be up in about fifteen minutes.” He then glances to Jayce. “Will your partner be staying back here? Are there any cues he’s giving you?”

Jayce rubs his neck. “Where do you need me to be?”

Viktor swallows dry as reality starts dawning on him. “Down front in the audience.” He leans in to whisper, “If this is for you, I would rather like to focus on you.” 

When he pulls back, Jayce is floundering adorably, attention drawn to Viktor’s vest over his eyes before he turns to the suited up man.

“Right… uh, I’ll be in the crowd, sir.”

The man nods. “Mr. Talis, the crowd will be gathering around the stage in the next few minutes for the announcement. Your cue for coming on will be my introduction of you.”

His already racing heart picks up speed. A weight settles on his shoulder, and he looks up to find Jayce offering that same reassuring grip and smile that pulls him straight back to the night they met. 

“You’re going to do great.”

Viktor hopes his smile portrays a confidence he is unsure he has. 

“Yes, I will.”

For you.

Viktor bounces his legs as he stares a hole into Professor Heimerdinger’s first note card. The only card he plans on using as a prologue to the speech he completely decides on winging with one thought in mind: this is for Jayce. An absolutely abhorrent idea with the seconds ticking down. But it is too late to turn back now.

The announcer is speaking to the audience drawn around the stage, giving the dreaded cue.

“I am happy to announce that this year will have a new guest speaker. The man we are all eagerly awaiting to see what his ‘Hextech’ will promise! Ladies and gentleman, I welcome to the stage: Piltover’s own Golden Boy, Jayce Talis!” 

There is a roaring sound of clapping from the crowd and Viktor thinks his heart may have lodged into his throat.

He releases a shaky breath and stands. 

This is it.

He steps out from behind the curtain, and suddenly the world feels small, closing in around him. The hot overhead lights beat down, drawing fresh sweat from his already damp forehead. Hundreds of eyes prick at his skin, and the ringing in his ears wipes every thought away. It’s hard to breathe with it all winding around him.

But he cannot let this fear consume him.

Ignoring it all with an inner mantra of nothing more than ‘this is for Jayce, this is for Jayce’ plays on loop to push him forward, and he walks up next to the podium. 

The announcer steps down from it, giving Viktor a handshake, smile, and wink before exiting off stage. 

Viktor hesitates before climbing up it and looks out over the crowd.

The blinding lights hitting him cause an effect of drowning out most of the faces, the first few rows being the only ones visible to him. Councilors Medarda and Kirammen both look up at him expectantly, but with kind smiles. He finds Ms. Kirammen and Mrs. Talis next to one another, beaming and clapping excitedly. He even catches Sky, grasping her journal tightly, awe and surprise lighting up the features he can make out. 

Then he lands on Jayce, forefront and at the center as promised, smiling softly.

The one note card he plans on using is placed in front of him with a quick skimming over the words. Viktor looks up with a smile he hopes is even a fraction as nice as Jayce’s trademark, crowd-winning smile.

“Good evening everyone and welcome to this year’s Distinguished Innovators Competition!” 

Before Viktor can continue, a raucous thunder of applause erupts, and he flinches in shock. He plants his feet, imagining them anchored in place with ropes and chains, anything to keep himself from bolting offstage. He forces a smile and holds it until the noise finally dies down. 

“We are hosting here today some of the most brilliant minds from across Runeterra, gathered to meet and share their inventions in a time-old competition to determine who deserves the recognition of a lifetime in their pursuit of scientific discovery.”

There is a whooping cheer and continued applause for him to this and he’s able to relax slightly, finding he wasn’t completely messing this up or stumbling over his words. He looks down at Jayce again, who is all smiles and clapping eagerly to push him on.

The single note card is finished. The one safety net he had. His lifeline, gone too quickly. With a sigh, he flips it over, trying to clear his mind. 

Now for the main event...

For Jayce.

He closes his eyes and pictures their lab. Just the two of them standing there. Jayce looking over a spread of papers with pen in hand as he sweats to write everything down perfectly.

“As many of you already know, I am also a competitor in this competition. I understand on a deeper and more personal level the stakes and passion each and every one of you have made and gave to be here today. The late nights, extensive research, scraping what does not work to start anew, personal sacrifices - a list that never seems to end...”

A moment from a lifetime ago flashes before his eyes. Playing with broken pieces of metal and wood from the trash and fitting them together to create something that works and floats in a water hole.

“Many of you may have discovered a spark somewhere in your lifetime that lit up your entire being - the sheer devotion you may have felt in making something tick to life in such a way that was unique and beautiful… And you could not outrun it, you did not want to outrun it. And not because it was easy, but because it was the most inspiring accomplishment you had made. In that moment, you weren’t just creating something - you were becoming someone.”

Viktor pauses and the silence fills him as he takes another shaky breath. He seeks out Jayce once more, staring up at him, completely enamored and how that makes Viktor’s heart want to sing.

Another lifetime ago comes to him, belonging to another. Where a young boy cried for help in the snow with his mother, begging anyone to save them. And magic found him.

“And many of you may have found inspiration because of a tragedy or awe-inspiring event. Something that cracked your world open, leaving you breathless, wordless, and changed forever. You stay awake at night, wondering how it can be fixed or replicated. It pulls at you, quietly or insistently, it won’t let go of its hold over you. Until one day you wake up and decide you are the one who will make it possible. You will help others from experiencing the same tragedy. You will share with others the beauty and ease of how life should be.”

Jayce’s eyes are wide and full of awe. All his attention focused solely on Viktor, taking him and his words in like he needs it to breathe. It is reminiscent of the night they met, the night they created magic, becoming partners and so much more to one another, and every moment experienced since, the good and the bad.

“And maybe it can be a combination of these things. We all come from many backgrounds. Different stories. Different paths. Different reasons for beginning. And yet, somehow, we find one another - sometimes in the most unlikely of situations. An overheard conversation, the sharing of ideas, a chance meeting… and when we do find one another, we keep pushing forward. We remind each other not to give up on our dreams - especially when the world makes them feel too heavy to carry alone. We remind one another why we started this journey in the first place. That is the all-consuming and beautiful wonder of the world we live in. The moments that make us look twice. The feeling that someone, somewhere understood us. And in doing so…” 

The heat of the lights consume Viktor with the moment upon him, his tongue is thick in his mouth and sweat drips down his forehead. He makes direct eye contact with Jayce. 

“In doing so… we keep falling in love... not just with the work, not just with the dream - but with the people walking beside us.”

Jayce’s eyes widen and a red hue touches his cheeks.

Viktor shudders with his next breath.

Because there is no way Jayce can misunderstand him now.

Viktor’s hands shake behind the podium as he struggles to pull himself together, searching for the words to finish his speech. His mind blanks, overtaken by a nervous panic at the reality of what he just did: making his intentions and feelings crystal clear. And in front of a large audience, no less.

“May each and every one of you be as lucky as I am and continue in your journey with scientific discovery and the wonders that are born from it. I wish you all good fortune tonight in this grand showcase and may the best man, woman, or team of people win. Let the Distinguished Innovators Competition officially commence.”

The silence breaks with a wave of cheering, but Viktor sees only Jayce. A storm of emotions color his partner’s face a deep red, and his whole body trembles.

Viktor wills for his own feelings to shine in his eyes when meeting Jayce's.

I love you. So much. Jayce.