Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This was the last time Viktor was ever going to enjoy sex.

Tomorrow he‘s getting married; the venue is absurdly large, with flowers and gardens and so much space to dance. There’s a lake in the middle, covered in lily pads and rippling with the movement of the tiny fish. It’s going to be a beautiful, sunny day, the birds will come out and sing for the ceremony. He was going to walk down the aisle, maybe not very gracefully, but he was going to.

And he would hate every moment of that beautiful day. As if his condition wasn’t bad enough, just the thought was making him more sour. His fingernails clutch at the back they were met with, the man he was clawing hissed in his ear.

He had to take out this frustration on someone, he had to enjoy his life just for one more night, even if it was a bad idea. Spread out on the unmade bed, with one leg up while his limp leg lay carefully to the side of the man above him— Viktor closed his eyes and focused on how nice it felt.

He didn’t want to think about anything else other than how rough his guy was, the sound of their sexes entering and clutching onto each other, the sound of their hips bruising together, the way the man tried so hard to keep quiet. His eyes shut tighter, he didn’t want to think about tomorrow. He only wanted to be— both mentally and physically— in this very moment.

“Harder.” Viktor demanded, this was the fourth time he had said the word, but the man always obeyed. Viktor liked this guy, he didn’t question his ability to handle him because of his limp, he didn’t pity how on how he *might* feel if, god forbid, his body is tousled just a bit too much. “C’mon.” He growled in his throat, his hands clutching tighter into the man’s soft back.

Viktor’s head fell back into the pillow as his body jerked back, the change of pace disappointed him but now at least the roughness was keeping his mind off things. His lips parted a bit, he was finally satisfied, both physically and mentally, finally. For the first time in months he didn’t worry about the wedding, he didn’t loath Jayce Talis, and he felt free. Part of him wished the man above him was the other groom instead.

He didn’t know the man’s name, didn’t even like the way he looked, well not much, but at least it was someone else. Viktor never thought he’d see himself in this spot, being pounded by a man twenty years older than him; he didn’t even think anyone would appreciate him as a man.

In a breathy, soft voice, he encouraged the man to keep going, to bring him to the last release that he’d ever enjoy. Something about the circumstances made the moment feel like a tidal wave. He had slept with men before, he’s had partners in the past, but never did he think it would be the last time. He certainly wasn’t going to sleep with the man he was marrying, he would rather die than even let the man kiss him.

“I’m gonna pull out.” Viktor’s eyes flew open at the sound of his gruff voice, strangled and strained with effort. Viktor dug his nails into his lower back and pulled him closer, he wasn’t going to wrap his legs around his waist when one of them didn’t work so well. Just for the last time, he wanted to feel the sensation of being filled and warmed. When he was younger, maybe in his teen years, he dreamed of starting a family with a husband he loved, this was the closest he was going to get. “What’re you doing—?” The man gasped at the end, his voice cutting off as Viktor got what he wanted, it almost made him cry.

The last time.

He wasn’t going to cheat, no, the public would know… satisfying his sexual needs alone made him feel awkward, so he wasn’t going to buy anything for himself. This was truly the last time. He buried his face in the man’s neck and cried out, in both pleasure and dread; he might be able to explain why there were tears in his eyes if the man were to notice.

The warmth spread through his core, making his abdominal muscles quiver and his entrance flutter, the two men lay tangled together for a minute, their breaths down each other’s necks, it was almost intimate.

“Fuck…” the man pushed himself up, looking down at Viktor below him. “My wife is gonna kill me if I don’t get back soon…” Viktor’s leg plopped down on the mattress, bent and angled in a way that kept his hip aching.

“Yeah, I get it…” Viktor muttered quietly. “Get home…” a shiver crawled up his spine at the feeling of the man’s semen trickling down to the mound of his ass. “I don’t wanna hold you any longer.” He watched the man redress, his eyes blurry and half lidded, his breath still coming in short breaths and his fingers aching from all the gripping he did. He almost wanted to ask if the man would stay until morning, but he wasn’t his, he was married.

“Take care.” And the door closed. Viktor’s heart clenched, in his sprawled out form, pounded and exhausted, for the last time. He wouldn’t know the feeling of an afterglow again, how it felt to be stretched around nothing, how the ache and soreness of the tendons in his hip felt, how it felt to be blissfully out of breath.

“Fuck.” Viktor lay there, his thin body suddenly heavy in the mattress. He sat up and quickly lay back down when the semen coating the space between his vaginal opening to his coccyx. It was slippery and cold now, it made his body tremble and made him draw breath through his teeth. Viktor lay there in his sore glory, the roots of his hair damp and messy, a few strands stuck to his forehead and the rest reached around his pillow like a blossoming mold.

He groped around his nightstand for the tissue box and plucked a couple, then he wiped the space between his legs. Crawling on his arms, he made it to where his cane was laying on the floor, tossed aside carelessly in Viktor’s need and passion just thirty minutes ago. He dug around in the pile of clothes beside it, tossing his binder to the corner of the bed for tomorrow and picking up his shirt. Once it was on he went to the bathroom, even if he was exhausted, he was not going to bed with dirty teeth.

He picked up his toothbrush and squeezed the paste onto the bristles, tomorrow was his big day. His eyebrows were permanently raised in the insides, his mouth turned down in a way that made him see pouty. He made eye contact with himself in the mirror and smudged his mouth with the palm of his sweaty hand.

He wondered why he looked like some little boy when he was sad, in that pathetic way that reminded him of a guy he knew at the academy that whined to the professors for his grades. Back when Viktor was still Victoria to half his class.

He began brushing his teeth, scrubbing so hard he winced when a cluster of bristles lodged their way in the thin space between his tooth and his gums, he spat out the paste mixed with his blood, then kept brushing.

“Fucking Talis…” he licked the corners and outsides of his lips, then cupped some water in his palm and swished it around his mouth. He bent down to spit it out and gagged. All the water splashed in the sink, and Viktor coughed. Just the thought of Jayce… tomorrow is going to be worse than when he presented in front of his class with white pants when he was on his period.

At least his teeth were clean, and now he could sleep somewhat better.

He grabbed the handle of his cane once more and went back to his messed up bed. He hated redoing all the sheets, well, this was also going to be for the last time. He was moving into Jayce’s apartment upon their marriage. He had seen it already, it was a big enough place, with Jayce’s lab in the middle of it, that’s where he spent a lot of his days. Viktor didn’t expect to ever use that area, his days of science might be coming to a long halt.

At least Jayce’s mother was a sweetheart, she reassured him that if he needed anything to eat or drink that she’d make him something, Viktor took it as pity for his disability but appreciated the offer. Maybe it was because he was too skinny, or because he was marrying her son… he’d have to watch her actions to decipher the intentions.

Once the bed was made nicely, he sat down and rubbed his eyes. He wished he could’ve at least gotten a glass of water. Apparently the cheating older man was a dump and dip kind of guy.

He laid down on his soft bed, the one he just got pounded on, the bed he slept on every night, he was going to miss this bed so much…

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“Jayce?” Ximena stood at the doorway, her eyes soft and worried, Jayce had been in his lab for hours, he only ever stayed in there for long when he was upset. “What’s wrong, mijito…?” Jayce hated the nickname, but now he just wanted to be his mother’s baby boy again. He sighed and it like all the tension left with his breath. “Jayce…” she rubbed the broad area of his back, she almost couldn’t believe he was once her sweet, fat baby. “Is it about the wedding?” He nodded, she knew her son, he didn’t speak much when he was sad. “Oh, mijito… I know, and I know this must be hard for the both of you…” she sat beside him and he lay his cheek in her shoulder. “You’re doing the right thing.”

“He probably thinks I’m horrible.” He didn’t want to cry, then his mother would hold him and he’d start to sob. He kept his voice weak and dull, when all he really wanted to do was break down and feel small again. “If I didn’t have to I wouldn’t, I hope he knows that.” He shook his head lazily. “But with hextech, and all the financial… crap, it’s so much easier this way.”

“You could be in an open relationship…” his mother started, but Jayce cut her off.

“Yeah, as if the man the council is investing in is cheating on his husband? That’ll be great publicity… and they’ill probably scold me. Especially Heimerdinger.” He rubbed the wetness out of his eyes. “And I don’t want to treat him badly, I just want us to tolerate each other.” the backs of his hands slapped down in his thighs. “Or… By some miracle we could be friends.”

“When I was pregnant with you,” his mother always cleared her throat to tell him a story. “Your father and I didn’t get along very well.” He had heard it all before, how he was wealthy and she was willing to marry his father. “I was emotional most of the time, mostly frustrated by how much you’d kick and fuss in my stomach, but I… well…” she held her hands on her skirt, her thumb rubbing her own knuckles. “He never raised his voice at me and he never was angry with me he just left me to be… and well he wasn’t an idiot so he helped me when I needed it and by the time you were born,” she gently nudged him with her shoulder. “We were falling in love.”

“Just like that?” He asked her every time she told him.

“Yes, mijito, just like that.” She’d answer that way every time.

“That’s… nice and all, mom, but you think just being nice will make him feel any better?” His voice was a bit murmured from his cheek smushing on her shoulder. “I can tell he doesn’t like me from the way he looks at me…”

“Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s okay.” The cold metal from her prosthetic fingers almost chilled him. “It’s when you learn to accept that fact, then this gets easier.” She smiled softly. “But if no one likes you, I’ll always, *always* love you.” Jayce swallowed, his throat was starting to ache.

“Thanks, mom.” Jayce didn’t know what he would do without his mami, he’d probably be a mess, with no one else to go see beside little fifteen year old Caitlyn. He was a bit pathetic, his only friends being his mother and a teenager. “For everything you’ve done.”

“It’s my job, Jayce, I’m your mother.” She stood. “Well,” she smoothed back the loose strands of hair on his forehead. “It’s late, let’s go to sleep.” Jayce stood up and towered over his mother, it was hard to believe he was just a tiny thing twenty three years ago. “It’s your big day tomorrow.”

“Right,” Jayce allowed his mother to lead him to his room, messy and smelly from all the time he’d spent rotting in there.

“Mierda, Jayce, abre la ventana…” he blushed and opened the window of his room, it was dark and quiet in Piltover, the stars out and the wind chilly, he took a deep breath of the fresh, cool air and sighed. “And you’ve got your socks all over the floor…” She picked them up and Jayce snatched them from her.

“I can clean, mom.” Jayce was never a mess, he always kept his appearance neat and clean, along with his space. Ximena was shocked to see his room in such a state. “Uh… goodnight.” He tossed the dirty clothes into the hamper.

“Buenas noches, chicito…” she kissed his cheek, looked him over one last time then left. Jayce sat on his bed and rubbed his face. God this was horrible, he was marrying the man that couldn’t stand to even see his face. He felt so sorry for him, if Jayce had a say in this, he wouldn’t even consider marrying Viktor. Well… not like he wasn’t good looking, because he was, but some people just don’t get along.

He looked up at his suit that hung from a hook on the wall, it was crisp and the colors of his family’s business, white, and red, and gold. His father’s empire, hammer making, never Jayce’s cup of tea but he inherited it. He and his mother, actually.

He remembered seeing the dress they had made for Viktor, how he immediately shut it down and said if he was going through with this he’d at least want a suit. It was kinda funny they’d give him a dress in the first place, Jayce knew he was built a bit feminine, but that didn’t mean he needed a dress.

Well he didn’t like it because it was not only a dress but the same colors of his suit, Jayce could feel the resentment radiating off of him. It made him want to apologize over and over until Viktor annoyingly accepted, but he remained quiet and let Viktor argue with the tailors.

“You’re not getting ready for bed?” His mother was back with a mug in her hand. “It’s late—“

“Sorry, yeah, I’m getting to it.” He stood up again and went to grab his sleeping clothes. “Goodnight, again, I love you.”

“Okay. I love you too…” She closed the door and Jayce got undressed then redressed, he was finally comfy, and ready to sleep. He lay down, sprawled out on his bed, his heart aching when he remembered that someone out there actually despises him. He always tried his best to be good, ever since he was young, he was good, why did Viktor hate him?

He rolled on his side and hugged the extra pillow that he had bought earlier for when Viktor was to move in, but he needed something to hold. He sighed through his nose and looked around the room with his eyebrows furrowed upwards

Tomorrow was going to be a horrible day.

Chapter Text

“Y’know Viktor I don’t think you look so bad.” Sky stood behind Viktor, pushing her glasses up with her middle finger to get a better look. It was ten am by now, the wedding started at eleven, he just now finished getting dressed and ready. His suit fit snuggly around his waist, flared a bit at the bottom of his pants, they were tighter near the top. With his hair combed neatly and his eyeliner on point, Viktor looked handsome. “At least you’ll look good in the pictures?” Sky smiled, she could sense Viktor’s feelings, they had been friends long enough to know that much about each other. “C’mon, it’s not like he’s that much of a prick.” Viktor looked at her in the mirror.

“No, maybe not, but that doesn’t mean I like him.” His chest was heavy with sadness, it made it hard to breathe; the neck tie wasn’t helping. “This is it…” he sighed. “I’m getting married.” He smiled, it looked more like he was baring his teeth. Almost like a scared wolf.

“You’ll be fine, it’s not like he’s expecting you to be his life long lover.” Sky rubbed his back. “And now you won’t be so lonely.” There was a bit of a pause as Viktor thought, he didn’t want to be a drain right now, Sky would feel better if she thought she was making him feel better.

“Sky, I appreciate you trying to brighten my mood, but it’s not going to work.” That wasn’t exactly what he wanted to say, but it came out anyway. His grip tightened on the new cane the tailors gave him, it matched the color scheme, it even had the Talis family business logo, the hammer. The handle was comfortable in his palm at least, much more comfortable than his other one. “The one good thing he’s done is give me the opportunity to help him with hextech, and I don’t even think he’d let me in his *personal* lab. I mean… no scientists would! I wouldn’t let him near mine, or you, no offense, it’s just so… everything in a personal lab is fitted for one person!” Sky crossed her arms, Viktor always got a bit enthusiastic about science. “And the walk from his apartment to the academy is too far for me, and I can’t afford to hitch a ride every time I go there.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “What’s the point…?” Sky started to speak before he could continue.

“This marriage is about the finances that comes with hextech gaining popularity, so think about it vik,” she smiled again. “Why would you be getting paid too if you weren’t working on it?” Viktor sighed, looked down and imagined the floor in front of him wasn’t there.

“Ok, Sky.” He watched to fist his hands in his hair but knew he didn’t have long until the wedding, and messing it up now would only leave him less time to relax in his house. Viktor sat down in his chair, rubbed his chest to try and adjust the binder beneath, then sighed. “What time is it?”

“10:05.” It had only been a few minutes and he was already out of things to say, the next fifty five minutes would be the longest of his life, why couldn’t time just go by faster?

“Damn it…” there was a rapid knock on the door, who else would it be besides the professor, Hiemerdinger. “Come in, professor!” Viktor sat straighter, most of the time he put on a front for him, mostly for his position as his assistant and since he had a big role in the debate for hextech. Still, even now, hextech and magic is a sensitive topic. Hiemerdinger opened the door and came in, his ears twitching and his pace brisk, he was always a bit chipper. “Good morning.” Viktor stood, Heimerdinger was a councilor, after all, he ought to be respectful.

“Viktor! Good morning, and Miss. Young, so good to see you too.” He clasped his tiny hands behind his back. “I just came from Jayce’s house, quite the young man, I’ll let you know.” Under all the fur Viktor could tell he was beaming, which was odd, Heimerdinger was completely against Hextech. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

“Fine, professor.” Viktor sat back down, weak from all the emotions he had coursing through him. “I guess I’m just a bit nervous, it’s my wedding after all.” Heimerdinger wasn’t aware of the deep rooted hatred Viktor had for Jayce, and even if he knew he wouldn’t have any idea why.

“Wonderful!” He exclaimed. “Oh, dear boy, you’re never fully dressed without a smile, now,” Viktor bared his teeth again. “The coach will be here any minute to pick you up, will you be accompanying us, Miss. Young?”

“Yes, I will, councilor.” Viktor was beyond grateful that Sky was coming, at least he would have someone among the sea of random investors and the other councilors. There would probably be a few photos taken of the newlyweds and times that Viktor would have to be around Jayce in general but surely it wouldn’t be for the whole wedding. “I wouldn’t miss Viktor’s wedding for the world.” She somehow always managed to give the best smiles. Heimerdinger’s eyes softened as he looked at the two of them.

“It is always important to have a friend.” He says, Viktor looked up at Sky.

“You’re so right, professor.” Viktor nodded, his throat still burned vaguely from all the strain he had on his voice last night. Viktor didn’t want to be too loud and disturb his neighbors too much. He drank at least three glasses of cold water by now. “When will we be leaving?”

“At 10:20.” That was in less than fifteen minutes now, maybe twelve or eleven. His stomach twisted and danced, a shark ache hit his chest and his heart hurt. He didn’t have a lot of time. All of his belongings were already packed and boxed, he had been up since seven putting everything away.

“Alright, professor,” he tapped his finger on the shift of his cane, his nails clinking on it rhythmically. Heimerdinger wished the two of them a good day and left for his own coach. The insides of Viktor’s eyebrows started to raise upward in that painful way that made his face strain. Sky rubbed his shoulder.

“It’s going to be alright, Viktor.” She’d told him that at least a hundred times in the span of three hours, and all the other times because she lived close and the two got to talk often. Viktor’s breath got ragged and she could tell he was crying. “Viktor…” she hugged him, his cries always sounded like some sort of hurt growl and heaving breaths, it hurt her heart to see her best friend in so much distress.

“Thank you so much, Sky.” His voice sounded like a choked, hurt whimper, now his eyeliner was ruined. Sky reached over to his nightstand and gave him the box of tissues. He wiped his eyes and his cheeks, then blew his nose into a new tissue before tossing the two wet tissues onto the floor, his desk-side trashbin was missing now, he didn’t care anymore about his near space.

“Why’re you crying…?” Viktor rolled his eyes.

“Why do you think I’m crying?” He snatched another tissue and wiped the bottom of his nose, with his snot. “You know why.” He crumpled the wet part of the tissue inside so the parts of it he was holding were all dry.

“Right…” She nodded, Sky knew pretty much everything about Viktor.

“I think I’m done crying.” He looked at Sky’s watch, he had cried for four minutes, he had to get ready again, had to make sure he didn’t look like he was just crying and had to redo his eyeliner. Viktor reached in front of him to grab the eyeliner and put it back on. Once he was done the two friends exited his house and went to the coach waiting outside. Viktor looked back at his house, that was the last time he’d see the small, cheap place, but it meant the world to him. Sky gently touched his elbow to get his focus once more, then smiled at him.

“Hey,” she said softly. “Don’t look like that.” He then realized the frown he had on his sharp face. Sky’s bright personality brought out the good in him, even if it was only a little. “C’mon.” They entered the coach and Viktor leaned back in the seat, his heart pounding wildly and his finger back to its nervous tapping on his cane.

“Good morning.” The driver gave the two a big, bright smile. Viktor said it back in a polite tone, then they were off to the venue.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Jayce was dressed in his fancy suit, looking handsome as ever with Caitlyn trailing by his side, happily carrying the cake box to the table that they designated for it. It was a big cake, but Caitlyn was a strong girl so he didn’t hesitate to let her carry it. “So,” she started as she gently placed the cake box down on the table, Jayce went to open it. “Who’re you marrying again?” She tilted her head and looked up at him. “That real skinny guy with the accent?” Jayce nodded as he carefully got the cake out of the box.

“Yes, his name is Viktor.” He clarified.

“Do you like his voice?” Caitlyn asked as she fixed the side bang on her forehead.

“Uhh…” Jayce looked down at her. “I guess?” He shrugged. “Why?” Caitlyn smiled mischievously.

“Does he talk you through it?” Jayce’s hand flew to his chest, his eyes wide and his cheeks red.

“Absolutely not! And even if he did I would never tell you! You’re… fifteen, that’s completely inappropriate!” Caitlyn frowned. “I’m so sorry, did I scare you? I didn’t mean to raise my voice—“

“You’re such a sissy.” She giggled. “Why do you always jump to apologize?” Jayce rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his waist. “And I’m just fucking with you.”

“You’re too young to talk like that.”

“I am not! Mother says the people in the undercity who’re my age talk like that.”

“Well, you’re not from the undercity, are you?” Caitlyn shook her head. “Right, now cursing is a bad habit, and with you being a councilor’s daughter, you should have more public etiquette.”

“Sure thing.” She crossed her arms. “When are we gonna have this?” She looked at the cake.

“After the ceremony.” Jayce stood back to make sure the cake was centered. He should’ve been going around and talking with the investors but that was boring, and if today was going to suck then he should at least try to have a nice time with Caitlyn. “Which won’t be too long, don’t worry.” He looked down at her.

“Promise?”

“No, I’ve never been to a wedding before.” She sighed loudly.

“So what if it takes forever??”

“Then uh… oops?” He smirked.

“You’re so not funny, just because you’re my friend doesn’t mean I wanna be here.” She looked around. “So where’s Viktor anyway?”

“I’m not sure, but it’s going to start in thirty minutes so he should get here soon, if he’s not here.”

“I’ve never met him.” She set up some plates. “What’s he like?”

“Well I’m sure he’s nice, but he doesn’t like me much.” Jayce sighed. “He kinda… has a staring problem.” He said quietly.

“Maybe because he’s into you?” Jayce tsked.

“No, he’s not, I can tell.” He looked over his shoulder. “It feels like his gaze burns right through me. And… maybe I overheard him talking sh— trash about me.” ‘That was a quick save, Jayce’, he thought to himself.

“Oh,” her brows furrowed. “What did he say?”

“Oh y’know that… I was a cuck.”

“What’s that?”

“Uh…” his voice raised a bit. “Kinda like uh… I guess like pathetic, but don’t call people that because it has another worse meaning and they might think you’re calling them that.”

“Well,” she bit her lip in thought, then smirked evilly. "He's not wrong.”

“Cait! You’re supposed to be on my side!” He chuckled, she always jumped at the opportunity to make fun of him.

“I am! It’s kinda like a harsh truth, because you’re my friend.” She smiled.

“Right, yeah sure.” He looked over his shoulder again and his eyes widened. There Viktor was, walking in with the girl he was talking shit to, she seemed a lot more comfortable here than he did. His eyes looked so dead, his shoulders tense, the two made eye contact and Jayce looked away quickly.

“Hey, it’s that guy.” Caitlyn pointed out. “Hm, yeah, he definitely hates you.” Jayce looked down at her.

“Time and place, Cait.” There was really no way for him to get to her.

“I’m just saying.” She fixed her hair again, but just like she was, her hair stubbornly went back to having one stray cluster separated from the rest of the bang. “Who cares about etiquette? I’m only a child.”

“So you’re both a child and not a child at the same time?” She nodded. “Okay.”

“Oh, my mother is coming…” Caitlyn stood a bit straighter.

“Caitlyn,” councilor Kiramman came over, beautiful for her age and graceful. “I see you’re still bothering Mr. Talis?” She smiled politely. “Come now, Caitlyn, the ceremony is going to begin.” Caitlyn started to follow her mother, but turned around and whispered: “don’t be a cuck out there.”

“Have a good day as well, Caitlyn.” He made a face and she made one back, then Jayce’s personality deflated and he made his way to the altar where he was to stand, as if this wedding was about love. He looked over the people there, Caitlyn and her mother joining where her father was already sitting. Caitlyn waved and then set her hands down on her lap when her mother gave her a stern look.

Jayce looked down at the aisle as Viktor came out, his free arm linked with the woman from earlier, he saw the loathing in his eyes and Jayce looked down. They did the whole wedding process, Jayce awkwardly kissed Viktor’s cheek, and wanted to curl up as Viktor wiped his cheek. The two of them walked back down the aisle and into the courtyard where the reception would happen.

“Do you want to talk with investors…?” Jayce’s voice cracked and he just about ran away in embarrassment.

“Ok.”

“You don’t want to see your friend first—?”

“I said ok.” Jayce nodded.

“Right, so sorry.” What a cuck he was.

The two of them mingled in the courtyard, Jayce and Viktor took turns talking, he was fascinated by how Viktor could put on a polite face then go back to being sour and cold once the person they were speaking with left. After speaking with ten people, Jayce tried to be nice again. “Are you thirsty?” He asked cautiously.

“No.” Viktor’s cane thudded on the ground harder each time Jayce pissed him off.

“Ok… are you hungry?” Viktor didn’t reply, and Jayce swallowed his the ache in his throat away. “Okay…” he whispered, Viktor’s cane was thudding so loud now. “It’s just that the cake is really good and maybe you’ll like it—“

“No, thank you.” Jayce nodded quickly.

“Mhm, sorry.” Jayce looked down, when he looked up he saw his mother coming over.

“Jayce, there you are.” She smiled kindly at the both of them, he saw Viktor stand taller and look polite again. “You didn’t think to come see me?” Jayce gave an awkward smile, she could tell her son was upset right away.

“Oh you know, mom, lots of investors to speak with.” He glanced over at Viktor. “And uh… well you two have already met.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Talis.” He said, his voice ten times more welcoming.

“Oh, you both look so handsome in your suits.” She looked at the two, probably trying to fix the obvious ruined mood the both of them carried. “These colors really match your eyes.” Viktor seemed subtly surprised.

“Thank you.” Jayce’s mother then told him how proud she was that her baby was all grown up, in Spanish, of course, otherwise he’d be beyond embarrassed. She told him about how proud his father would be, then he asked her to not bring it up, mostly because of his already emotional state.

“Am I interrupting your business time?” She asked, then they both shook their heads. “You’re not done talking to investors?”

“We’ve spoken to enough.” Viktor nodded, then left the two, his mother watched him go.

“Pobrecito…” Ximena clapped her hands together over her chest. “Jayce, what did you do to that boy?”

“Nothing, mom, I don’t know why he doesn’t like me.” He said sadly. “I don’t remember doing anything…” he mumbled. “It’s not like I called him names or gave him nasty looks.”

“I know you didn’t, mijito, it’ll take time for you two to be… nicer with each other.” She rubbed his arm. “Why don’t you go talk with your friend, hm?” Jayce nodded and couldn’t help but noticed how his mother had the same mole on her cheekbone. At least Viktor had some sort of familiar feature.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“Sky,” Viktor sighed with relief. “There you are.” Sky was holding two plates of strawberry shortcake. “That cuck Jayce wouldn’t shut up.” He took the plate and dug in, he hadn’t eaten anything for more than a day. “Thank you.” The two ate. Jayce had tried to start small talk in between conversing with investors, Viktor quickly grew tired of it.

“So,” Sky’s voice was a bit mumbled from the bite in her mouth, but she swallowed before she continued. “What did you think of the ceremony?”

“It was horrible.” He wiped his cheek without thinking. “At least the venue looks nice, and the cake is delicious.” Sky and Viktor talked for a while, then Viktor said he was going to go find the bathroom and asked Sky to make sure the table was still theirs. As he walked, he had time to think to himself. That stupid cuck Jayce Talis… he was somehow everything Viktor wanted to be and nothing he wanted to be like. He scowled under his breath and looked around the inside of the building. There was a… worker? Maybe a worker, she wore a uniform. “Excuse me?”

“Yes?”

“Could you tell me where the bathroom is?” The worker nodded and led him, he had to ask her to slow down because she walked too fast for his limp. She paused in front of the door and gestured him to the ladies bathroom. “Uh…”

“Here you are, anything else I can help you with?” Viktor stared at her momentarily, then sighed and entered. There was no use making a fuss, in the legal documents he was still not Viktor. He entered the bathroom and noticed two pairs of shoes in one of the stalls, and the faint sound of lips smacking and clothes rustling. Viktor paused and cleared his throat, how incredibly awkward. If the two came out and saw him, surely they’d scream, after all he was a grown man was in the ladies’ bathroom, and they would have been caught red handed making out in the bathroom.

Viktor could’ve sworn he’d seen one of the girls before, the dark blue hair and blue eyes so familiar… no, this couldn’t have been the councilor’s daughter. The other girl, with violet hair, was definitely from the undercity. “Shit.” The undercity girl said, then she left through a window.

“Miss. Kiramman?” Viktor questioned, but the girl only blushed and ran out, Viktor knew he was going to be told on. He sighed and did what he had to, washed his hands, and froze when he saw Jayce standing at the door.

“Viktor? What the hell are you doing here?” Jayce stood in front of the girl, she peeked out from beside him.

“What? Is this not the men’s bathroom?” He could probably get away with playing dumb.

“No!”

“Oh, my honest mistake.” He placed a hand over his chest. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, I thought you had somehow mistaken the men’s bathroom for the girl’s.” He looked at the girl. “Who was your friend?”

“What friend?” She blushed, Jayce looked down at her.

“Maybe I was seeing things, you know, I’m still a bit nervous about the wedding.” He bared his teeth, he had to work on his fake smiles.

“Okay, well…” Jayce crossed his arms. “If you’re done, let's get out of the bathroom.” Viktor nodded and grabbed his cane, then they left. That was probably the most interesting thing that had happened to him, other than yesterday, he knew the councilor’s daughter’s secret.

“So sorry about that.” He half mocked Jayce’s tone, just for his own enjoyment.

Chapter Text

“Thank you, Salo,” Med Medarda was at the wedding too, obviously, since she was the first to want hextech to thrive. Dressed in her beautiful white dress, the gold flaked and lined across her body, ringed in her hair and peppering her cheeks, she almost looked like the bride herself. Mel knew she was gorgeous and used that to her advantage. Well her looks and her authority, something about the way she spoke could have anyone bend to her will. Jayce had admired her before, who wouldn’t? He always liked someone that could hold their own, who didn’t need to be told when to speak or when not to, he wanted to be just like Mel. “Mr. Talis and his partner will appreciate your acceptance.” She smiled softly at Salo, he was drinking champagne and looking around judgementally; as he always did. Jayce never understood how someone could be so sour all the time, he was probably worse than Viktor, because at least Viktor knew how to be nice to some people.

“I’m glad I can offer some help.” Salo looked at Jayce as he was approaching, a cocky smile lit up his already pale face. “Mr. Talis! Congratulations on your wedding, I’ll say, the venue is beautiful.” He sipped his champagne. “And I hear your partner is from the undercity! That’ll be good for popularity and support from our less fortunate population.”

“I suppose that could be an outcome.” He stood as straight as his back would go, kept his shoulder broad and his chin held high, he’d seen Mel do it before so it must be important for his image. “And thank you, for coming and for supporting our hextech dream.”

“Just don’t disappoint the council, it would be such a loss to go through all of this just for it to have no profit.” Jayce smiled awkwardly. “I’m sure you two will do just fine, with you being husbands now.”

“Yes, thank you, I’m sure we will not disappoint, councilor.” Jayce just about bowed at the hip, but instead he nodded. That dumb smile was plastered on his face, his eyes worried and pleading, he really needed more councilors on his side. Salo lifted his head and smirked.

“You’re welcome.” He looked around. “And once again, this is a beautiful wedding, I wish all the best to you and Viktor.” Mel smiled as well.

“Jayce? May we have a word?” She looked at Salo briefly before walking off and leading Jayce with her. Jayce nodded once more to Salo before following her, Mel always walked with a confident sway in her hips and her shoulder broad, proud. If Jayce was a councilor, he’d be proud too. After all, he would be, hypothetically, rich, famous, and powerful. “I don’t think I’ve congratulated you yet.” Something about Mel just made him wanna talk to her, tell her everything. Despite her authority, something about her seemed so welcoming. Maybe it was the kind smile on her face…

“There isn’t much to celebrate.” Jayce said unwillingly, sometimes he said things he didn’t want to say, like his mouth and his head were two different souls. “Besides hextech going places, this is uh… miserable.” Mel nodded.

“I’ve heard a few rumors that things aren’t going well with you two.” Jayce already knew who she was talking about, who else would it be? “But I’m sure he’ll come around, Jayce, you don’t seem like a bad guy.” He was somewhat grateful for reassurance from someone other than his mother. He knew his mom wouldn’t lie but she was definitely biased. “And I’m sure he isn’t either.” Jayce sighed.

“Thank you.” He smiled briefly. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Business.” She straightened herself whenever she was going to talk about something important. “I am one of your investors, aren’t I?”

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“No, Pow-Pow, I’m not going to go to Piltover because of a tip.” Vi was squinting into the glass of Vander’s bar, her faint reflection squinting back at her as she tried to clean her face. “I’m going to visit a friend.” Powder tilted her head, Vi didn’t seem like the type to like any Pilties. Her sister was so strong, she always thought no one could sway her.

“You have friends in Piltover? Since when?” Her hands were clasped behind her back, she shuffled on her feet. What was she supposed to tell Vander to cover for Vi being gone? “Why would any of them be your friend?” Vi looked down at Powder.

“I don’t know.” She looked down at her outfit. “Listen, it’s a situation that might be a bit too grown up for you, I don’t think you’ll get it.” Powder furrowed her brows.

“I’m eleven! I’m not that little, Vi,” she whined. “Why can’t you just tell me…?” Vi shook her head and powder sighed. “Y’know, you’re not that grown yourself…” she mumbled.

“I’m grown enough.” Vi took a deep breath and blew the air out quickly, her cheeks puffing up in that childish way that reminded her that no matter how rough and tough her sister was, she was still so young. “Tell Vander I’m going to bring in a score.”

“But you’re not… that’s lying…” she whispered.

“Pow-Pow, when do you not lie?” Vi seemed a bit frustrated.

“We don’t lie to Vander…”

“I’ll bring you something to eat… well some from Mylo and Claggor too but… I’ll bring you something sweet, okay?” Powder instantly shut up and nodded. “Good, now what am I off doing?”

“Bringing in a score.” Vi smiled.

“That’s good.” She gently fixed Powder’s hair. “And while I’m out, how about you make me a glitter bomb? Maybe it’ll work this time?” Powder nodded eagerly now. “What’re you gonna name this one?”

“Mouser!” She said after a moment of thought. “I’ll even draw teeth on him!” Vi chuckled. “It’ll work this time, Vi, I promise!”

“It better work!” She smiled. ”or I’d just be getting you a reward for lying, and that’s not a big accomplishment, especially for you.” Vi tug by need her arm bandages. “Okay, enough chatting, I’ll be back around night.”

“You’re gonna see your friend for that long?” Her eyes widened. “Vi?”

“What’s up?”

“Is it a boyfriend…?” Vi laughed.

“You’re a little off, Pow-Pow.” She patted her head. “I’ll tell you about my friend in the morning. Remember, I’m getting a score, and make me a glitter bomb.”

“Okay, Vi! Have fun…” Vi left the bar, now Powder was left there alone. “Mouser…” she scurried off to the basement, her room was in there, along with all her supplies. Mylo and Claggor were playing cards, bored out of their minds. “Hey!”

“Hey, Powder.” Claggor’s voice had been getting deep lately, his words more sluggish, she didn’t get a lot of sleep, not with Vander making him work all the time. “Where’s Vi?”

Vi didn't tell her to lie to Claggor and Mylo… she thought about it, would they tell Vander? Probably not… she swallowed.

“She’s bringing in a score.” She kept walking, and Mylo sat up.

“What?! Without us?! Is she stupid…? We’re all doing absolutely nothing and she gets to do something interesting??” Powder shrugged.

“I guess.”

“And now Vander’s gonna be on our asses, I can hear him already! ‘How come Vi is the only one that did anything? Why are you all lazy?’ Ugh… it better be something small.” He rested his head on his thumb and forefinger. “This isn't fair…” Powder went to her bed and hopped on it, it wasn’t very soft, but just enough to make her bounce a little, it was always fun. She grabbed a few cups of glitter, got some metal, then got to work. It was nearly noon, she had hours to finish the bomb for when Vi would get back.

She always had her brows furrowed when she worked, no matter how many times she’d catch herself doing it and would fix it, she’d always go back to her concentrated face. She hummed a little tune to herself, Vi used to sing it to her when she was little and couldn’t sleep, then once she was old enough to remember the lyrics, Vi would hum and Powder would sing, they were the perfect pair for each other. Vi said their mother sang it for them, Powder couldn’t remember, she was too little back then.

“My friend across the river…” she sang under her breath, she hadn’t heard it in years, Vi didn’t sing for her so much anymore, only once a month depending on if she was scared at night or not. She hummed the rest, that’s all she could remember.

Then Powder thought about Vi’s friend across the river, literally. Her friend must be really important if she was willing to go all that way just to see them. The only friend she’d do that far for was Ekko, he was her best friend. Mylo and claggor didn’t really count as friends because they were more like her brothers, and well… Now that she thought about it, he was her only friend.

“Powder?” Vander stood at the door. “What’re you working on there?” She smiled and looked down at the bomb ingredients.

“Mouser! It’s for Vi!” Vander nodded and chuckled. “She asked me to make one for her.”

“And why would Vi need one? I thought he was your special move.” She giggled, then quieted.

“Well he never works… Well actually he did once but it was no use, it didn’t do any good and no one else saw.” She shrugged. “So Vi wants me to make her a working one so she can see for herself!” For a child living in a dangerous environment, born and raised in poverty, Powder still somehow managed to be so cheerful and positive. “You think it’ll work this time?”

“Sure I think so, you’re a little genius, Powder.” He carefully sat on the other side of her bed so he wouldn’t move or spill all the glitter. “And maybe when you’re older you’ll be strong like your sister.”

“Maybe.” Powder wiped her nose and got pink glitter all over herself. “And maybe Vi will be strong like you, so when you’re old and weak someone will take your spot.”

“Can I tell you a secret, Powder?” She nodded. “I will never get old.” She giggled.

“Yes you will! Then what are you now?”

“I’d say I’m in my prime.” He sighed. “Speaking of Vi, where’d she go?”

“To bring in a score.” She said without having to think. “She told me before she left.” The confusion in his eyes left.

“Oh… and she didn’t bring you all?” Powder shook her head.

“Nope, maybe it’s extra dangerous…” she fake pondered. “She didn’t say much.”

“Maybe I should go look for her—“

“No!” Powder’s heart sank when Vander looked back at her, his eyebrows raised. “I mean… if someone’s gonna get hurt it should only be one of us, right? What’s the use if we have two people to worry about?”

“Are you covering for Vi’s lie?” …

“What? No…” there went her cover. “She just said… she was bringing food from Piltover…”

“Oh.” He nodded. “She’s going to Piltover?” Powder nodded. “Well that explains a lot more.”

“How does it explain a lot more?”

“I just noticed she’s a bit more eager to rob folks up there, causing mischief… she used to hate traveling all that way, but now she’s going off on her own?” Vander shook his head. “I think you know more, Powder.” She swallowed.

“Well…” she chewed the inside of her lips. “She might have mentioned a friend…” Vander chuckled, he loved how Powder could fold under zero pressure.

“I figured.” He sighed. “Teenagers, they always want to do something rebellious, even if I really don’t care about it. I just don’t want her to get in trouble up there.”

“So then why was she so worried about you finding out?” He shrugged. “Vander?” He hummed and looked at her. “I think she had a girlfriend…” she whispered, as if anyone was listening, he could hear Mylo and Claggor arguing over their card game, not like they would hear the conversation at all.

“A girlfriend?” He said after a minute-long pause. “In Piltover?” Powder nodded.

“I asked if she had a boyfriend but she said I was a little off and she didn’t deny it so I’m just thinking.”

“That’s why you’re so smart.” She smiled. “But a Piltie? Really? God, that’s a new one…” he rubbed his beard. “As far as I was aware, she hated all of them…”

“I mean I used to not like Ekko but now I like him.”

“You like that boy?” Powder’s eyes widened.

“Not like that!” Her cheeks were red. “Obviously not like that! He’s… annoying…”

“So both my girls have relationship drama?” Powder grumbled. “You’re too young for all that mess, Powder, save that for when you two are older.”

“I just told you it’s not like that, why would I ever like him like that?? He doesn’t do anything fun…”

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you, but I can assure the day will come when you realize he’s not too bad looking.” He laughed at Powder’s discomfort.

“You’re so not funny.”

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“It was so boring.” Caitlyn sat on the toilet seat while Vi stood in front of her, her feet were starting to ache from the small heel and tight fitting shoe, Vi understood, and it wasn’t like she was actually using the toilet. “We had to sit there for the whole time and just… clap at the end, I mean, clap for what? They don’t even love each other, let alone like each other.” She looked up at Vi. “Can you believe the stuff we rich people do?” She chuckled.

“Oh I can believe it, you’re weird.” Caitlyn gasped.

“Violet! I am not weird!” The two girls giggled, one in a slightly held back way and the other just trying to be a bit quiet. Caitlyn had gotten better and learned how to laugh genuinely again, all her life she had to do that rich people chuckle, but not around Vi, she liked that about her.

“You totally are!” She shoved Caitlyn’s shoulder, making her laugh more.

“Don’t push me!” The two played around for a while before settling down, Vi had to keep it together, she was crushing hard on this girl. She thought about it, why would this girl from Piltover keep her over and let her visit if she wasn’t into her back? She had her hopes so high up.

“It’s my birthday next week.” Caitlyn mentioned, Vi’s brows raised, so she was turning fifteen? She didn’t think Caitlyn was that young…

“Happy birthday.” Vi smiled. “Early birthday.”

“I can’t believe I’m gonna be sixteen, it sounds like such a grown age…” oh, so Vi was younger, by a whole year too. Caitlyn looked so young, it must be all the pampering and good food that kept her features soft. Vi was a fighter after all, the bags under her eyes from all the nights up and the creases on her face from all the scowls. “You never said how old you were.” Caitlyn sat up.

“Sixteen.”

“Really?? Wow, I guessed that.” She smiled. “I feel so young compared to you.” She chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah…”

“Yeah…” the two looked around, all there was around them was the bathroom stall walls. “So… you got a boyfriend?” Caitlyn held back a little smile and shook her head. “Why not? You’re… pretty.” Bold move, Vi.

“Thanks, I just get awkward around boys.”

“The same way you get awkward around me?” They were quiet for a while.

Vi didn’t really know how it happened, but somehow they ended up kissing, just innocently, the most they did was take each other's lip between theirs, in that overlapping kind of way. Neither of them know how to French kiss, and Vi’s breath probably tasted like morning breath and fish, so they were doing just fine together like this. Caitlyn had stood up to kiss her, she was a bit taller without her shoes on, but with them on, Vi had to awkwardly tilt her head up. They didn’t know what to do with their hands, they lay limp at their sides, awkward and aching to do something to ease the discomfort. Vi pulled back, her face red and her heart hammering.

“You’re not too bad at that.” She was shocked she even said such a thing. “I mean… your lips are soft.”

“And yours are chapped.” Her face burned more than it was already burning. “Here.” She held out a lip balm, Vi had only ever used chapstick a handful of times in her life. Caitlyn gathered some on her finger and gently applied it to her own lips.

“What’s that gonna do”? She leaned in and kissed her, Caitlyn read that in one of the romance novels her friend snuck her since her mother believed that reading informational books were far more beneficial to her.

Then someone cleared their throat, they had been caught. Vi was the first to come out, it was the groom Caitlyn had told her about. “Shit.” Vi looked back at Caitlyn.

“Go to my room.” She whispered before Vi went out the window.

“Miss. Kiramman?” Why was there a man in the girl’s restroom?

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“That was so awkward.” Vi was washed up and in a new set of clothes Caitlyn let her store there for whenever Vi came to shower. Caitlyn was dressed in a comfort pair of pajamas, Vi had pajamas, but they were just Vander’s big hand-me-downs. Caitlyn’s were silk and dark purple, it really suited her. “Who was that guy and why was he in there?”

“I told you that was the groom,” she sat down on her bed, she had a pretty good view of the city, and in the distance the bridge leading to the undercity. “I don’t know why he was in there.” The two girls looked out the window. “What’s it like over there?” Vi sighed.

“It’s… kinda liberating.” Vi started. “I don’t have to worry so much over there, I mean, there’s enforcers but then again, crime happens more often and I don’t have to worry about being apprehended so quickly.” Caitlyn knew Vi had to steal just to have enough food for her family, things were different in the undercity, she knew that. “I mean a few years ago I did something up here and had to be out in seconds.”

“What did you do?”

“I stole some valuable stuff, or at least they looked valuable.” There was an explosion in the distance, on the other side of the bridge, in the undercity.

“Woah! What happened?!” Caitlyn stood up, Vi stood beside her, did a bomb go off?

“Oh my god…” It wasn’t too far from where Vander’s bar was. “What are those colors, Caitlyn?” Vi moved closer and squinted.

“Purple.” Vi sighed with relief, it couldn’t have been Powder’s bombs, she only used pink and blue.

“Oh, I got a bit scared…”

“Why?” Caitlyn could hardly tear her eyes from the explosion.

“I thought it was my sister’s bombs.”

“Right… right, your sister makes bombs…” She nodded. “But like… you said her bombs are pink and blue, and those are purple so…” Vi’s heart dropped. Powder might’ve set off those, it was a big explosion, Vander never let her out by herself. Her breathing started to pick up. “Violet?”

“Oh my god…” She opened the window and turned back to Caitlyn. “I have to see my sister.” She scaled down the roof and never ran so fast in her life. She ran faster than she had to the bridge when she was looking for her mom all those years ago, she ran faster than the time someone was chasing her with a knife, she ran faster than she did from the enforcers. But it wasn’t fast enough, especially with all the time she spent lingering in Caitlyn’s room, not knowing that purple comes from the colors of Powder’s bombs. If she died before she got there, she would never forgive herself.

She ran across the bridge, her throat burning, she could hear her inhales, they sounded as badly as they hurt, but she knew her family might be hurt more than her dry esophagus.

There were enforcers there already, grabbing some of the passing civilians and telling them to stay back from their official business, Vi steeled her shoulders and ran between two of them, passing rubble and glass, slipping once and cutting her hand, but she got right back up again.

“POWDER??!!!” She screamed, out of breath and panicking. “POW-POW!!” She cupped her hands around her mouth and looked left and right. The enforcers were coming up behind her. “Please! My sister might be in here—!”

“We need you to leave the area, NOW!” The man grabbed her by the elbow.

“My sister—“

“If she’s here, we will find her.” One of them dragged her off as she panted, her head spinning and her body trembling. Vi was so strong, but she would be nothing without her family. The chill of the night breeze didn’t help, it only encouraged the goose flesh to harden more than it already had.

She looked around and saw a body in a stretcher, his body broken and crumbled in a way no joint should be bent. His face was broken, but not enough for her not to recognize him. “Mylo…?” She walked over and felt her stomach bubble and whine. Her eyes burned just from the sight and the tears welling up. “Oh my god—“ her voice cracked in a way that made her sound like just a little girl again. Her brother’s face was split open, his once so expressive and familiar face now permanently obscured, she’d never see that boy the same way again. “Mylo…” she dropped to her knees and grabbed his shattered hand, clinging to the small hope that somewhere in this strange new body, the boy she grew up with was still alive. She felt a bone shift beneath her palm and she began to wail, a painful and body wracking wail, like a newborn first exposed to the cold. All the air was sucked from her lungs and thrown into the wind, then she drew a loud breath after becoming lightheaded from her sobs and screamed again. Her eyes were shut tight in her anguish, how could she see him like this again? One of his eyes was missing, the eyes she would stare into during poker, in staring contests or in those silent moments when the enforcers were passing by.

A blanket covered the horror of his body and she weakly tried to stand to go after the people who took him away, she kept shrieking, no girl her age, or any age should have to see her brother like that. “Claggor…” she wheezed out with the last bit of breath left in this turn of having air in her lungs. She looked around, the world was spinning and moving too fast, her whole body felt warm with panic. “H-help…” she turned to the first person she saw. “H-ha-ha-have you seen…” her hands were violently trampling. “Ha—“

“Everyone’s dead, honey, it’s horrible.” Everyone. Vi stared at the woman in front of her, surely not everyone. “The two boys, the dozens of men, the girl…” Vi screamed the last bit of her voice out, the woman gently took her hands to try and comfort her. Were they all like Mylo? Did they all die in that horrific way? Vi didn’t know what to begin to think, she didn’t at all consider where she might go to live, who would feed her, who would look after her? Who was going to make her laugh and make her feel so wanted and so needed? All she knew was that everyone was dead. Her father was dead, her brothers were dead, her sister…

“No…” she sobbed, her voice high in pitch and like a girl’s once more. “No…” her teeth clenched and her mouth twisted with pain. “Powder…” she looked at the rubble, the faint glitter on every other stone. Mouser had worked for her, in her last moments, Powder had made her sister proud for the last time.

Chapter Text

The ride to Jayce’s apartment was shit. Viktor’s leg was throbbing from all the walking he had to do in the venue, his mouth was dry and all he wanted to do was shower. Jayce sat beside him, tall and prim, his suit still in mint condition, his hair still neat and his gaze out the window beside him. He could see his thumbs twiddling together, he’s nervous, Viktor could tell. He looked down at his hands, so big and strong, he knew Jayce worked in his forge sometimes, it made sense that he’d have a powerful grip. Viktor looked down at his own hands, slim and pale, they’d probably break if he tried to do Jayce’s work.

“Hmm…” Jayce hummed as he stared out the window in the direction of the bridge. Nothing exciting ever happened on that side of the river, Viktor wasn’t bothered to lean closer to Jayce just to see what happened. It was probably something stupid anyway, he thought to himself. Viktor tapped his cane, making that clinking noise since it always managed to calm him down somehow. “How sad…” Jayce whispered, so he must be one of those Pilties who pitied the people of the undercity, just great. There went another thing Viktor could despise him for…

Out of the corner of his eye, Viktor saw a faint purple smoke in the sky, he looked over and caught a glimpse of the smoke rising and the building collapsing, but it was too quick for him to really process. He looked back ahead of him and kept his tapping. “Did you see that?” Does this guy ever shut up?

“See what? The smoke?” Viktor tried not to grumble, he was a grown mature man, not a bratty teenager. “I saw, briefly.” Jayce twisted at the waist to get another look. “What’s wrong with it?”

“The whole building blew up.” Jayce bit his pink lip. “It was like a warehouse or something.” Viktor frowned, that’s where the children would play, or at least when he was a kid. He never went inside, nobody wanted to play with a crippled girl. “Those poor workers…”

“No one works there, it’s been abandoned for years.” Viktor spoke softly, then scratched his eyebrow. “Kids play there.” He didn’t have to look over to tell Jayce’s expression lit up with worry. “But it’s late so I don't think there would’ve been a lot—“

“That’s horrible!” Jayce whispered, his eyes wide and shiny in the moonlight. God, why did he have to be such an empath? “It’s such a cold night too… they must be freezing and afraid, if they’re alive…” Viktor looked at him, why was he so concerned about the temperature?

“Yeah, uh… but I’m sure they’re okay.” Jayce looked at him, then leaned over to the driver and Viktor nearly groaned as he asked to go over there. The driver reluctantly nodded and turned the coach around. Viktor just wanted to shower and cry himself to sleep. “What are you doing?”

“Viktor, what if they’re in trouble?” His voice hardened. “I don’t wanna go home to my comfortable house when people’s children just died.” He waved his hand around as he spoke, Viktor noticed he did that whenever he got passionate. “Do you even have a heart…?” Jayce whispered.

“Excuse me?”

“Forget it.” This was the first time he’s seen Jayce as something other than a pathetic man. He might’ve been a bit beyond annoyed but that was admirable. “My mam— mom put some blankets in the back in case it got too cold in here.” he cleared his throat.

“How kind.” Viktor said sarcastically, well it was kind but he wasn’t going to be genuine about it. “And you’re going to give them to people?”

“Of course I will.” The coach vibrated with the force of Jayce’s bouncing leg. He wasn’t even from the undercity, why would he care so much? Most people from Piltover saw the undercity’s residents as brutes or as inferiors, and now Jayce was sacrificing his own time for something he wasn’t even sure of. “Is there traffic, what’s the hold up?” Jayce leaned forward.

“Some little… someone ran in front of my coach.” The driver composed themselves. Viktor saw a whir of dark violet run past them, Apparently, someone else had the same idea. “If I hit them I would’ve been out of a job for sure.” Jayce urged them to keep going, he was practically itching to be there.

It took them a few minutes, but they had successfully crossed the bridge and gone down the right road to get to the warehouse. It was right near the water. Jayce grabbed the blankets and got out the coach, Viktor followed after a while.

All he could hear was this distant wailing, he looked around and saw blood and rubble, Jayce was right, children had died here. His heart felt like something poked it, he took a deep breath and grimaced at the strong smell of blood. He found a way there wasn’t riddled with stones and followed after Jayce, he was going in the direction of the shrieking. He saw a boy being carried away in a stretcher, his clothes torn open and his soft stomach peppered with rocks and metal. He had to have been fifteen, he had goggles on his face, they were broken into his skull from the pressure of the explosion, or maybe the ceiling fell on his face. Viktor tore his gaze away, his stomach churning and his head starting to hurt. This was the harsh reality of the undercity, how unsafe it was, how much death happened daily, Viktor had seen all the same things in his time of living here.

He saw Jayce walking in front of him, maybe a dozen feet away, his eyes set on a young girl weeping on her knees, she held herself, shivering violently and drooling on the floor in her anguish, he could hear her ragged breathing from where he was. A woman stood in front of her, awkwardly just watching, Jayce looked down at her with his gentle, warm eyes and asked her to give him some space. “Here,” he heard, clearer the closer he got. “You must be freezing.” She must be more than that, he thought to himself. That was a bit mean, but he was already having a horrible well… month, he couldn’t expect an angel to be narrating his thoughts. He watched Jayce wrap the blanket over her shoulders and gently rub them, poor girl…

Wait a damn minute.

This was the girl in the bathroom, Viktor knew her, well, he didn’t know her but he had seen her. He came closer and stood behind Jayce, his lip quivered for a moment, but he was quiet, letting her cry and grieve; Viktor could only assume she knew some of the people in the building.

“Powder…” her voice was so gone it was only a whisper now, Jayce frowned deeply.

“Who’s that?” His voice was so soft now, almost as warm and soft as the blanket over her shoulders. “Is she in there…?” The girl nodded and wiped her face with the blanket. “We have to find her then—“

“Everyone’s dead.” Jayce paused as he was halfway through standing, then he slowly came back down. “All of them…” she gasped and heaved, Jayce squeezed her shoulder a little, then stayed quietly.

“I saw a boy with goggles…” Viktor piped up, then he wished he hadn’t when she looked up at him with the most horrified eyes. “Um… he’s passed on, so…” she took deep breaths for a moment before breaking down and sobbing quietly, her mouth was open for a scream that was too weak to come out. Jayce looked up at him, exasperated. Why would Viktor make it worse when she was obviously so distressed already?

“It’s going to be alright…” Jayce helped her stand. “Do you have someplace to go?” Viktor could tell Jayce was itching to hold her tight in his arms but didn’t want to overwhelm her. “Family? Friends…?” She didn’t reply in any way, just sobbed silently and trembled. “God, you’re freezing…” he took the blanket from Viktor and wrapped her once more.

“Jayce?” Viktor spoke softly. “If she has nowhere to go, what are we going to do?” He gave him a look like the answer was obvious.

“We can’t just leave her here alone.” He looked back down at the girl. “You have a family?” She shook her head. “Anyone you can go to?” She shook her head again. “Do you wanna come stay with us until we find a home for you?” She nodded and Jayce led her to the coach. Viktor couldn’t protest, he was sour today but he wasn’t a monster, this poor girl, who had to be around Caitlyn’s age just saw people she knew die.

“Do we have enough room?” Viktor let the driver help him into the coach, they all squeezed together snuggly in the back, the girl leaned closer to Jayce a bit, her eyes wide with horror still. “I mean in your apartment?”

“We’ll make room.” He had a determined look in his eyes, his brows furrowed with his will. “We’re going to work something out for you.”

The girl, Violet, often woke up in the middle of the night, screaming, terrified of her imaginations and her memories. Other times she’d wake up paralyzed, Viktor could feel her body jerk and her breath hold, she was only 15. Every morning was a struggle, she hardly spoke, her voice was damaged so badly she couldn’t speak above a whisper and would rub her throat like it’d help. Oftentimes when they all went to the market and Violet would find something blue, she’d just stare. Viktor didn’t know why she did it, but she stared— with a gaze so intense one would think she was trying to make the blue thing light up with life. Sometimes she’d stare at a roll of bandages and hold it gently in her hand, but not in the way one might test the texture, more like in a gentle, caressing way. Sometimes she’d see a pair of goggles and look into the lenses, almost like someone’s eyes were on the other side, staring back. Jayce let her, he understood grief to some extent, Viktor knew his father passed away some years ago when he was still a little boy, Viktor knew grief himself. There was never someone in particular, he mostly grieved himself. The struggle of growing up in poverty and suffering from the limp in his leg, the way people gave him looks like they were allowed to pity him the same way he pitied himself. The way people would look at him funny when he entered the bathroom stall instead of using the urinal, the way people offered to grab something for him when he could do it himself.

“What’re looking at today, Violet?” Jayce would always ask her something like that at the market, she’d never reply, she’d just put it down, if she was holding it, and would walk away. Viktor only came with them to buy himself a few things, he’d usually stay quiet and watch the two pick out a few things while he tried to coax out a few words from her.

“This is a nice shirt.” Viktor finally spoke up, he and Violet were quiet, he could tell their indifferences were getting to Jayce, he must’ve been thinking they both hated him or something. “Do you think it fits you, Violet?” She looked at him before looking at the shirt, it was a beautiful shade of purple. Her eyes softened and she approached it. “You need some new clothes anyway.”

“Powder…” she croaked, her voice not yet better. She gently touched the shirt, her gaze suddenly sharpening, honing onto the shirt.

“Well actually it’s lavender.” Jayce piped up behind her.

Viktor closed his eyes and sighed, as if the statement wasn’t stupid enough… it was Jayce cuck Talis who said it, and Viktor still hadn’t warmed up to him. “I think she knows that.” His attempt to mask the hostility in his tone was feeble, but what matters is that he tried.

“Oh… well I was just saying…” he says after chewing his lips. “I know she’s not dumb, if that’s what you thought I thought.”

Viktor didn’t reply, as usual. He turned back to Violet, her eyes still glued to the shirt.

“So? Do you want this one?” His tone was neutral, he didn’t baby her like Jayce did, if babying was talking softly and carefully, he didn’t do that. The kids in the undercity were tough, they weren’t like a topsider’s child. They don’t get to have a childhood, all they know is hardships.

“Ok.” Viktor nodded and took the shirt from the rack and Jayce paid, she insisted on carrying it, she managed to look away, but he could see her grip on it was strong and shaky.

Sometimes, the Kiramman's daughter would come over and cheer her up a bit, they two got along perfectly, well Viktor knew why. What an odd pair, a councilor’s daughter and an orphaned undercity girl, but they were like two peas in a pod. Caitlyn would come with a plate of something sweet, like cake, and Violet would let her talk for hours about her day. They didn’t leave the bedroom, well Jayce’s bedroom but for now it was Viktor’s and Violet’s, he slept on the couch.

“Since when were they friends?” Jayce mumbled to himself, he was sitting on the couch with a book about science on his lap as Caitlyn came in one day, Viktor didn’t want to reply, he thought since she was his friend she’d tell him herself.

“She’s good for Violet.” Despite everything, Viktor couldn’t deny the fact he cared deeply for the girl. He understood her to some extent, they grew up in the same streets, watched everyone die around themselves on those same roads, he could almost see himself in her. “She’s finally smiling a little.” Jayce nodded. “Maybe we can get her out of the apartment, have her do something fun.” Viktor was making himself sweet milk in the kitchen, he made it whenever he wasn’t feeling well, which was often.

“Yeah, that’d be nice…” Jayce glanced over at Viktor, his lips still fidgeting and his eyebrows tilted upwards a little. “Viktor?”

“What?”

“Are you okay with having her here?”

“Yes.” He turned back around to lean against the counter and face Jayce. “We’re doing the right thing for this girl.”

“But would you prefer it if she wasn’t here?”

“Ehh… it’s a bit of work, yes.” He tilted his head a little. “And I suppose it would be nice if she found someplace to go.”

“Okay… I was just making sure because you seem kinda pissed off all the time.”

“Yeah, I wonder why.” He whispered.

“What?” Jayce’s eyes softened with that weird puppy dog look he always had.

“Nothing.” He sipped his drink, let it swirl in his mouth and swallowed. His tongue was starting to get numb to the flavor, like one of his only sources of comfort was now not good enough, it had to be sweeter.

“Oh…” he turned back to his book. “Sorry.” His shoulder slowly caved in, his brows reaching for each other tightly and his throat starting to ache.

“I’ll be in the lab.” The lab was in the corner of the other room with a big chalkboard, where Viktor would calculate the most complex equations and theorize for hours. This was his other way to comfort himself, even if it made him want to pull his hair out and yell, but he enjoyed the satisfaction of figuring out something that stumped him or getting one of his projects to work.

“Mr. Talis?” Caitlyn said behind him, he didn’t turn around, he wasn’t Mr. Talis…

Right, he was Mr. Talis now, by that marriage last week. Viktor turned around, the two girls stood there, Violet looked a little brighter, that was decent progress considering how fresh the trauma still was. He sipped his sweet milk and rubbed his temple. “Yes?” He looked between the two girls.

“I’d like to take Vi to the shooting range, may we go?” She smiled, pleasantly and in a way that made him want to say yes.

“Who’s idea was it?” Caitlyn tilted her head and the stubborn strand of hair fell in her face, she tucked it behind her ear.

“Mine.” She kept her confusion hidden pretty well, but Viktor could just tell. “Why?”

“No reason, but don’t be there by yourselves.” He turned back to his work, sipped the sweet milk again and nearly puked. “Ask if Jayce wants to go.”

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Jayce didn’t understand why Viktor still hated him. He’d done everything his mother said to do, he gave Viktor space, let him sleep on the bed, bought him the groceries he wanted, and he wasn’t being a jerk… unlike someone. He watched Caitlyn show Violet how to hold the rifle, how her hand covered hers in such a gentle manner.

He flinched as the gunshot fired, this was so draining. Everyone knew the feeling of having someone that didn’t like them, but did they have to be married to that person? Did that have to see the hate in their eyes every morning until evening, and even in their dreams they couldn’t escape that gaze. He knew what that was like because now that was his life, and for what? Finances? Jayce never wanted to be poor more in his life. He didn’t care at what cost it came with, he just wanted to feel appreciated again. He wanted to wake up in the morning and feel good about himself, and now he was wishing Caitlyn never invited him to a place with guns.

Despite his size and his strength, Jayce never dealt with his feelings and mental health well, he hated that past about himself. Maybe Viktor was right when he called him pathetic?

“Jayce? Helloooo…?” Caitlyn was waving at him. “You don’t want to try?”

“No, I don’t want to try.” He rubbed the side of his face with his hand. “I’m just the chaperone.” He mumbled. He was more lost in his thoughts than someone who was supposed to be supervising these teenage girls with dangerous weapons, what a chaperone he was. “So uh… you two knock yourselves out.” A cold breeze blew past them and Jayce clutched his hands, his fingers always got chilly easily, or maybe he was just paranoid?

“But what if you need to learn how to shoot? What if there’s an intrusion?” She smiled.

“Why are you so desperate to make me do this?” He stood up.

“So we can laugh at how bad you are.” It’s just a joke, Talis, don’t let your feelings be hurt by a sixteen year old’s joke.

“Right.” He swallowed hard, then he aimed and missed terribly. All he heard was Viktor laughing at the fact he was a small, weak, pathetic little shit rather than his best friend teasing him. “I have to use the bathroom.” He heard them mocking him, did they notice his big baby tears? How he was a pitiful excuse for a grown man? Everyone looked down at him, everyone babied him and he just wanted to make his family proud.

“Always…” he growled. “Laughing at me.” His teeth were cleaned. “Mocking and laughing at me.” He paced in the bathroom, his fists clenched. What would Viktor say if he saw him here? That he had no control over his emotions and was immature. He paused abruptly and thought about it, yeah, Viktor would say that, he’d probably say he looked stupid doing it too.

He looked in the mirror and fixed his hair, rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms and was ready to go back out there with Caitlyn and Violet.

He stood there, awkward and out of place, friends with teenage girls and his own mother, living and a husband that despised him and slowly having his mental health deteriorating, Jayce’s life was going perfectly so far.

Chapter Text

On the walk back to the apartment, Jayce felt just as down as he did an hour ago, he felt unwanted; he never wanted to drink more in his life. Caitlyn was talking Violet’s ear off, but she said she didn’t mind it because it gave her something else to think about.

“How about you two go back to my apartment? I have to go check on my mom.” He said, cutting into Caitlyn’s detailed explanation about her studies. “You’ll be fine by yourselves?” Caitlyn nodded and Violet stood quietly.

“Yes, it’s not too far of a walk from here.” Jayce nodded and wished them a safe trip back to the apartment, then he started to walk. He walked and walked for as long as he could, debating on letting his legs give out when a coach came speeding by, wondering how a child might be in twenty years from now, if he had stumbled by a future celebrity or if they were to die the next day, Jayce was never usually this somber.

The bridge. It was so long, and the other side of it was so eerie; he stopped there, he knew he wasn’t going to see his mother, he just wanted to walk, but going to the undercity? Jayce’s eyebrows slowly started to raise with interest and worry, he looked over his shoulder, then crossed the bridge.

He didn’t want to think about what he would do if there had not been a river below him, so instead he thought about what he might do in the Undercity. What was there to do? Maybe he’d check out the shops, see what was selling, if there was something he could buy for his work. Viktor might appreciate some new materials, maybe then he’d ease up a little. Yeah, good plan, Jayce.

He was definitely out of place, it’s not like the people were dirty, they just weren’t as cleaned up and presentable. The deeper in Jayce went, the more noticeable he became, and with all those eyes on him, judging him, it made him want to drink more. His shoulders caved in, his itch to start apologizing on behalf of the people in Piltover that oppressed them only grew stronger. He spotted a bar in the distance and his pace suddenly doubled down and he was nearly running. He opened the doors to the sight of purple smoke and thugs, some of them turned to him.

He swallowed, wide eyed and stiff, then maneuvered his way through the crowd of gaffawing and drowsy people to get to the bar table itself. Once he got there he was sandwiched between two big guys.

“What’s someone like you doing here?” The man on his right asked, he was tall, intimidating, his fashion wild but surprisingly put together. Jayce looked up at the man, his heart was hammering.

“Um… I’m going to drink.” He said nervously, the man blew a cloud of smoke into the air and his nose started to burn.

“You?? Drink??” The man chuckled. “I thought all you topsiders were the same! All prim and proper…” the man took another drag.

“I was having a bad day.” Jayce started. “I just need to take my mind off things.” He was surprised this guy wasn’t going to call him out and have the whole bar against him, at least one thing was going right.

“Hey!” The man called to the bartender, then Jayce looked up in shock as he ordered and paid for two drinks. The man looked down at him and smirked. “My pleasure.” He held out his glass of… what the fuck? Jayce picked up this weird oily looking blue slop, then clinked the glasses together before they downed a couple of gulps. His mouth twisted into something between a grimace and a frown, the man laughed at his expression. “It’s pretty bad, huh?”

“Yeah!” He said over the music. “What is this?”

“Alcohol with a pinch of shimmer, the strong stuff!” The man finished the rest of his glass like it was nothing. “This’ll really take your mind off of things.” Jayce looked down at the glass. Shimmer, he had heard of it, heard of how it turned people into wild animals. “Don’t worry, it’ll only make you high.” Jayce looked up again. “You should see the look on your face.”

“Oh! Uh… shimmer, huh?” Jayce swallowed a bit more and nearly puked. “Cool.” He smiled tightly. “Do you have this often?”

“Only when I really wanna get drunk.” The man leaned closer. “What’s your name, cutie?” Jayce’s heart jumped and his face went hot, cutie?

“Jayce.” His voice was higher in pitch, this conversation took a little turn. “What’s yours?” Jayce had somehow now just noticed his jaw was made of gold.

“Finn.” He said, his voice some sort of mix between smooth and loud, jayce sorta liked it. “It’s nice to meet you, Jayce.” He leaned a bit closer.

“Nice to meet you too…” Jayce stammered. “You’re the first person that’s been nice to me in a week…” he sipped his drink again, he was nearly done now, and he didn’t drink often, he was already tipsy.

“And why would someone be mean to you?” He tilted his head, like he was surprised someone like Jayce was picked on. “You’re pretty cute.”

“Yeah, my… roommate really hates me, it was kinda getting to my head.”

“Your roommate, oh…” he nods. “Sounds like a real dilemma.” Jayce slid his drink over to the man, he didn’t think he could finish it without gagging. “Thanks.” He swallowed the rest. “Did you do something to your roommate?”

“No! I have been nothing but kind and all I get back is… nothing!” Jayce was getting worked up and frustrated, it was making his eyes water. “I’m just so tired of not being wanted.” Finn leaned to match Jayce’s level.

“Well… I know someone who wants you.” Jayce looked over at him.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

For the first time in a while, Jayce felt good about himself. As the cold metal scraped down his body, he felt cherished, he hadn’t felt this good since before he had met Viktor. His shirt fell to the ground and he felt handsome, his pants started to become undone and he smiled. Finally, Jayce smiled like he meant it.

“You have so much tension in you…” Finn stood fully, Jayce blinked and suddenly he was in Finn’s house, shivering with warmth and drunk in love. “I can fix that…” he whispered, Jayce nodded without a second thought. If this was going to finally relieve him, he was willing to do it.

He was laid down tenderly, with gentle hands, Finn admired the body Jayce was slowly beginning to hate. His eyes closed and his heart began to race, he choked a little while Finn’s hands found a spot that caused a full body reaction. Jayce looked down, the man above him was smirking, somehow, the scar on his cheek moving in a way that disgusted him. He both wanted to do this but would rather run and scream. His head throbbed, and his body trembled with fear and need. Jayce sat up quickly when this intrusion of his comfort actually felt good; his breath started to have a mind of its own.

“What’s wrong, Jayce.” Finn had that look in his eyes, mocking.

“Nothing's wrong…” his voice was breathy, his eyes wide with horror, Viktor was here, Viktor was in every person’s eyes. “I’m just… nervous.” More like afraid, Jayce, what are you talking about?

“Relax… I’m not going to hurt you.” Finn got the rest of his clothes off and now Jayce wanted to clam up, where did all that confidence go? What happened to him finally being content with himself? Was it the tone in his voice? The way his gaze kept shifting between loving and that same hate that Viktor had permanently printed in his eyes. “I’m only going to make you feel good.” Jayce prayed that it was a promise.

“Please…” Finn might’ve misinterpreted his plea, because suddenly he was flipped on his stomach and invaded in a way that made his eyes tear up. His body tensed and his breathing quickened, he looked over his shoulder in anguish, he only wanted to feel good. All he ever wanted was to feel good.

“You’ll get used to it.” The condescending way he spoke only made it worse. “Don’t cry, Jayce, I’m helping you.” Jayce flinched as his hand came crashing down beside his head to stable himself. “Are you cryin’?” He asked as he came in deeper, making his lower half feel like he was being split. “What did I just tell you?”

“I-I’m not crying…” his voice broke and he looked up, afraid. “Just… use me like you like me…” and in the most monotone way, Finn replied:

“I love you.”

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Jayce lay on Finn’s chest, his cheek in his palm, his eyes soft and pleading for just a drop of affection. Finn looked down at him, his eyes half closed, his thumb gently rubbing his cheekbone in that way that made him want to stay here forever. His head tilted into his hand, desperately seeking more attention, more affection, desperate for his love.

“Did you mean it…?” Jayce’s voice was so tender.

“Mean what?” Finn petted his hair.

“That you loved me.” He didn’t see the confusion on Finn’s face, his brain so fogged up he didn’t register the long pause.

“Of course I meant it.”

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Viktor’s sweet milk really did end up being too much for him, he threw up a few minutes after everyone left. Well he had been feeling a little sick all morning but that drink that was too sweet really pushed all that puke out. Being home alone made him feel a bit better, now that Jayce was gone and he didn’t have to stare in jealousy.

He was cleaning up the bedroom when he found the picture of Jayce and his mother. He looked maybe thirteen, with the biggest, dumbest smile on his face, his eyes gleaming with joy. His mother looked like a model— with her hair teased and long, curling down her shoulders and making her look gorgeous. He wondered what his father looked like, maybe he looked a bit more after him, there was nothing beautiful about Jayce Talis.

Viktor sat down on the bed, so much had happened in a month. The decision on the marriage, how the council said it was the best option, the man he slept with, the hatred that bubbled in his chest, then taking in Violet, then moving in together, Viktor was so tired. There was not so much he could take, and he thought staying up all night working on hextech theories was a lot.

“Mr. Talis?” How had Caitlyn gotten inside without him opening the door? “Jayce said he was going to his mother’s house.” Viktor turned to face her, the two girls stood there hand in hand, he could see how tight Violet was holding hers. “Just thought you should know.”

“Okay…” Viktor blinked so his eyes would open wider and stop seeming dead. “Is that all…?”

“My father said Violet can stay over for the night if it’s alright by you two.”

“We’re not her legal guardians we’re just…” he looked between the two. “Just…” he sighed. “Knock yourselves out.” He honestly didn’t care what they did, they were teenagers, every teenager wants to experience a bit of grownup lifestyle… and well he didn’t see Violet doing anything of the sort in the state she was in now so he didn’t really worry. “Let your parents know Jayce and I are grateful, okay?”

“I will, Mr. Talis, thank you, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Hours passed and Viktor was still home alone, it was almost evening now, all he had done was theorize and dread having to lift the heavy boxes because his breasts were hurting, he must be getting his period soon, those were the worst weeks.

And where was Jayce? Was he going to spend the night with his mother? Was he going to be bored and lonely all night?

He was exhausted, he had been all day, and doing all that work wasn’t helping. He stretched out his leg, it was achy and stiff, like most days but especially bad today. He half wished Jayce would come home to help him get water, despite everything— or the lack of— Viktor did to him, Jayce would still be willing to help. There was at least one good thing there…

He had just sat down but was really thirsty, so he pushed himself off the bed and slowly trudged to the kitchen, his cane weakly gripped in his exhausted palm and his sore foot slowly dragging along below him. He grabbed a glass and filled it with water before nearly groaning as he chugged it down. He wiped his mouth with the back of his palm and filled it a bit for later, then he finally undressed and got into bed.

After a few minutes of thinking about his miserable life, Viktor finally closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“Miss. Violet! It’s a pleasure to have you over.” Mrs. Kiramman seemed so strict in the posters, but up close in her face, she seemed like any other mother. “Caitlyn has told us a lot about you.” Cait looked so much like her mom, she was nearly a doppelgänger. “I hear you like boxing.” She smiled. “Such an interesting hobby.”

“Hobby, yeah…” Vi’s voice was still coming back, but she was making good progress now with all the water she had been drinking. “Thank you.”

“Do you girls want some tea?” Cait nodded and looked over at Vi.

“I’ve never had any.”

“It’ll help soothe your throat, I’m sure it’s still sore.” Cait took Vi’s hand again and they went to the grand kitchen, it was as big as her ‘house’ back in the undercity. Cait grabbed two of those fancy tea cups that she only thought existed in the princess stories she used to read to…

Powder. Vi stared at the cups.

“This is my favorite drink. My mother used to make it for me whenever I was crying when I was little. It’s really sweet too, I hope you like sweets.” She smiled. “Do you like sweets, Vi?” She nodded. “Good! Maybe we can have some biscuits with ours, have you ever had those?”

“Like bread?” She asked, but her stare stayed glued to the cups.

“Yes, like bread, but they’re delicious.” Cait went over to the pantry and pulled out a plate of biscuits. “How about we have some while we wait for the water to boil?” The girls took some biscuits and began to eat, this was the best thing Vi had ever eaten. “See?” Cait leaned a bit to catch Vi’s gaze, she smiled brightly and Vi couldn’t help but smile back a little too. “I told you it’s good.”

“It is.”

“Yes, it is.” Vi ate a couple more while Cait poured the water into the two cups, they already had the little bags in them, ready to add flavor to the drink. “So you’ve really never had tea?” They waited for the bag to start working. “What did you drink when you were sad then?”

“Juice.”

“Really?” Cait raised her eyebrows like that was something outlandish, well to her, maybe, all she’s ever known her whole life was the comet of riches.”What flavor was it? I’ve had apple juice before, they served it at my elementary school one time! It was alright, not my cup of tea.” She giggled at her own joke, Vi could tell she was only being so cheerful to try and spread her attitude to Vi. “Maybe I could ask if we can get some? Do you think that will make you feel better?”

“Maybe.”

“‘Maybe’ is better than no, so we can try.” Cait kept talking to her all night about her life and her suggestions and what they might do all night be, by unspoken law, you’re not allowed to sleep early at a sleepover. Vi was fine with that, the only sleepovers she did was whenever Powder would ask to have to sleep in the same bed because she was scared…

Powder.

Caitlyn’s hair was just another shade of blue. As they lay there in bed, Cait was now just sleepily mumbling, Vi just wanted to snuggle closer and feel like she was with her sister again.

“Goodnight…” Vi whispered, then Caitlyn’s mumbled sentence slowly died away.

“Goodnight, Vi.” She rolled on her side and kissed Vi’s cheek, then lay back down on her back. Vi’s heart jumped at the action, there was still someone good left in her life, and for as long as she could remember, she’d remember Caitlyn Kiramman.

Chapter Text

“Good morning.” Finn smirked as Jayce groaned because of the pain of his hangover. Jayce squinted up, there he stood, the man that tore the dignity from him, yet somehow he had done it in the most loving way. Jayce smiled back, weak and in pain but so in love. “You slept like a baby.” Finn helped him sit up and his head swirled as if dancing, Jayce held it in his hands and closed his eyes. “Don’t worry, you’ll vomit and feel better.”

“Everything hurts.”

“I love you.”

Jayce looked up into his eyes once more, the unasked for reassurance making his heart flutter and his stomach jump, Jayce was so confused on why Finn made him feel this way if he only met him last night. Why would Finn say that?

“You do?” Finn nodded, Jayce couldn’t find the lie in his eyes, or maybe he was so out of it he just couldn’t see the truth. “Why?” He ran his hand through his hair, blinking before he could notice how Finn looked away to smirk.

“I just know I do.” He leaned closer. “I mean look at you, you’re glowing.”

“Glowing with a hangover?” Finn chuckled.

“Yeah.” Jayce’s eyes wanted to widen in shock, but they wouldn’t lift from all the pain they had to endure in his head. “You’re so perfect.” Finn leaned in to kiss his neck and the vomit rose in his throat. Jayce’s hand slapped over his mouth and he stumbled off the bed. “Bathroom’s in there.” Jayce dropped to his knees and vomited, the smell hit his nose and he gagged again. He panted briefly and wiped the corners of his mouth, then he flushed the toilet and stood back up. Finn stood at the doorway, tall and warm, Jayce wanted to melt in his arms and forget all about his, as if lately, problems.

“My head is gonna burst…” He smushed his cheek on Finn’s neck, finally, he felt cared for. Despite his size, Jayce only wanted to be held like he was small. “Why did I drink…?” His voice was a bit muffled and he could feel his warm breath bouncing off of Finn’s skin, his nose scrunched at the smell.

“I dunno, why did you?” Jayce was still naked, in nothing but the simple wedding ring he had started to wear since last week. Look like a couple, people like him were fetishized, he just had to think of all the publicity he’d get if he was holding hands with his husband in public. He looked at his hand, long and slim but still so firm with all the years of work in his forge, the golden ring on his finger, golden like his eyes, that had become so sad and tired in just one agonizing week. Sometimes Jayce wondered what the point was, if his eyes were the way into his soul, then it was so obvious to tell his soul was exhausted. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, his soul stared back at him, sparkling with the dying light of hope, clinging to some will to keep living. It held onto Caitlyn, it held onto his mother, and in this moment, it was clinging to Finn. “Something on your mind? Maybe a special someone?” Finn looked down at his ring, their combined stared making the ring feel hot like it was fresh out of a fiery oven. Jayce hid his hand in shame. “Mm, I see…” Finn smirked. “A certain someone is not satisfying you so you came crawling to Zaun looking for someone who will?”

“I’m not a cheater…” Jayce said softly. “I’d never hurt someone like that.”

“Then why are you here?”

“He doesn’t love me, and I don’t love him, what’s the point?” The dying light let out a rattling breath. “He hates me.”

“Why does it matter so much to you if you don’t love him?”

“Because… I haven’t done anything! He just hates me! It’s making me hate myself…” he could hardly believe he was venting to the man he hooked up with last night, but Finn didn’t really seem like a one time kind of guy, he was holding him, listening and replying. “I just wanted to feel good about myself.”

“You should feel good about yourself, you’ve got an ass to die for.” That wasn’t exactly the reassurance he wanted to hear, but it was something. “I could fuck you for hours…” his voice was hot in his ear, moist and building up something wet like sweat or mildew.

“Oh… thank you, Finn.” Jayce swallowed. “Thats good to know…”

“So fucking tight—“

“Is that short for Finneas?” Finn stared at him, expecting him to reply with some horny remark about his body back.

“Uh… yeah, sure, it is.” He nods. “So smart.” He led Jayce back to bed. “Anyways,” Jayce sat down and closed his eyes. “You got someplace to be? Or you wanna crash another night?”

“I should probably go home, but… I really enjoyed what I can remember from last night.” Jayce stood up straight. “Thank you for that.”

“Any time.” Finn seemed almost eager for the next time, Jayce wasn’t planning on a next time but wasn’t opposed to it. “You can come crawling back here and I’d be ready…”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jayce pressed a damp kiss to his shoulder, in gratitude and fear, Finn looked like the type that could snap him if he had to. “And uh… thank you, again, it took my mind off of everything.” What a lie, he was thinking of Viktor the whole time, even when his body started to quiver and his mind ‘blank’, all he could see was Viktor. “Maybe I’ll come back.”

“Maybe?” Finn’s hands found his waist again, firm and eager. “I don’t wanna hear maybe, I wanna hear that you will be back.”

“Are you still drunk?” Jayce let out a breathy, nervous chuckle. "Did you have an early morning drink?”

“No, I’m just trying to brighten your morning.” Finn pressed the cold metal of his jaw against Jayce’s neck and he shivered, what a lovely way to start the morning.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Viktor had been standing at the door to the Kiramman’s mansion for the past what? Hour? He kept his weight on one foot, had tried to keep his head held up higher than usual, tried to keep his back straightened, but the longer he waited the worse his presentable posture became. He knocked again, his knuckle rapping painfully on the hard, extravagant wood. He looked up, the house just kept getting taller and taller the more he gazed. He would kill to live in a place like this, alone though, he’d love out without Jayce, definitely. Having a night without him was heavenly, maybe he had gone to his mother to cry about how HIS life sucked. As if Jayce didn’t have everything Viktor dreamt of, what was there to be so depressed about?

He had a mother that loved him dearly, friends that he was so obviously comfortable around, he had…

He was a man. Born and raised, known as one.

“Mr. Talis?” Mel Medarda answered the door, surprisingly. Was she maybe visiting the Kirammans— probably the councilor. “Are you here for Violet?” Viktor nodded then realized he should reply verbally.

“Yes, councilor, am I too early? Are the girls still asleep?” Mel looked behind her, then turned back to Viktor. “Should I return later?”

“Why don’t you come inside? We’re having some of Caitlyn’s tea, it’s wonderful.” The door opened wider for him, he came in without hesitation, it was an honor to be inside a house so grand. “The girls are still in Caitlyn’s room, probably asleep, Cassandra said they were up all night. You know how teenagers are, they’re so energetic at night.”

“I’m sure, do you know how Violet is feeling? I mean… has she been as energetic as Ms. Kiramman?” Viktor was scared to refer to Caitlyn by her first name, he had to have some respect for the councilor’s daughter. “Any progress would mean the world to my husband and me.”

“I’m not certain, I only just arrived a while ago.” Councilor Kiramman was sitting on a plush chair, a cup of tea in her hand, he wondered how she managed to look so beautiful at her age and at this time in the morning. Viktor wouldn’t be surprised if he looked like a scraggly rat right now.

“Mr. Talis! Good morning.” She smiled and stood to greet him, this was the woman he had only heard about, for years too, it was so odd to finally meet her. “Caitlyn and Violet haven’t come down yet so we’re catching up, would you like some?” He was almost shocked that the councilor was so inviting, maybe because she knew Jayce and assumed she could be comfortable around him as well.

“Here,” Mel handed him a cup, Viktor nodded, a small, nervous smile lighting up his dark, pale face. Viktor somehow always managed to look a little upset, it had started since the night he slept with that married man. “Help yourself, there’s plenty.” He poured himself a drink and sipped it, it was sweet and warm, like something floral and sugary. Mel turned back to Cassandra. “So,” she began. “The people of the undercity,” Viktor’s interest peaked. “Do you really believe that more enforcers will fix this?”

“Of course I do, people fear authority.” Her posture was abnormally straight, it always scared him. “An incident like last week’s is enough proof to back this up.”

“The explosion?” Viktor asked, the two councilors turned to him, surprised he spoke up. His face lit up with fire and he sipped his drink again. “Violet knows about that.”

“I figured she would, it’s her hometown this happened in. Did she say any details about the incident?” Cassandra turned to him, and to his surprise, she seemed to treat him as an equal. “Does she know any information? Because as of now, the explosion seems almost intentional.”

“Oh… well yes, she’s mentioned her sister a few times.” Viktor cupped his cup of tea in his hands, warming their cold nerves. “Her sister made bombs.” Mel and Cassandra exchanged glances.

“She told you this?” Mel’s eyebrows were raised a bit, she was intrigued. Viktor only ever saw Mel as a stoical, cunning, and confident woman, he was shocked she was anything other than those traits. “How old was she?”

“I’m not certain, but she said she was younger.” He thought. “Maybe Caitlyn knows, they’re very close.” Cassandra swallowed her drink and Viktor realized he was close to slipping up and exposing their relationship.

“A young girl creating bombs.” Cassandra shook her head. “A child,” she emphasized. “Creating lethal weapons— this is exactly why I need more enforcers patrolling the streets!” She put her cup down on the table. “This is no way a child should have to live, as a… weapon’s inventor, the children of the undercity deserve a childhood like that of our top side children.”

“I agree completely,” Viktor started respectfully. “And… I’m very aware that my voice isn’t nearly as influential as yours, but as someone who grew up there, flooding the streets with enforcers will only make things worse.” He loved how Mel subtly leaned in the direction of whoever was speaking, it almost made him forget he was a crippled immigrant. “Growing up I feared anyone in uniform, our parents warned us to stop playing in the street when they passed by. I haven’t been to the undercity in years but I have no doubt in my mind that this fear still lingers in the children’s minds— even now.” He turned to Cassandra. “If you truly want to do well by these children, you first must improve their environment.” The two of them began to think, Viktor was almost shocked they actually listened to him. He prayed in his heart that it wasn’t because of his marriage with Jayce, but because they valued his opinion as much as they valued their own.

Caitlyn came walking down the stairs, in her nightgown and her hair still up in a little ponytail, she looked well rested, well, she was rich and probably had a five star bed to sleep on. She greeted her mother first before smiling broadly at Mel and waving timidly at Viktor, things were still a bit awkward since the wedding day. She took a moment to think, her eyes lifting in the air to ponder. “Violet is still asleep.” Her voice was still a bit groggy from sleep. “Does she have to leave already?” Caitlyn whined a little, Viktor could only guess why she wanted her to stay. Cassandra spoke up to correct her behavior.

“If Mr. Talis needs her back home, you shouldn’t complain to him.” She said softly, in a teaching tone rather than a disciplinary way. “Violet has been here for more than long enough, you’ve had hours to play with her.”

“I don’t mind.” Viktor watched Caitlyn’s eyes light up. “I’m sure Violet wouldn’t mind keeping you company, if that’s alright with the councilor?”

“Mother…” she whispered eagerly. “May Violet stay for a while longer?” She was practically bouncing on her feet.

Cassandra took a deep breath before sighing and nodding. “Yes, she may.” Caitlyn grabbed some biscuits and hurried back upstairs, chirping to herself about all the things they could do. Viktor wondered how someone could manage to be so happy so frequently.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“Violet,” Cait opened the door to her room, excited that she got to spend more time with her. She was still asleep, she hardly slept earlier anyway, she kept waking up and muttering about powder. Maybe powder was some kind of candy in the undercity? Cait remembered her mentioning her comfort drink was juice, maybe she liked sweets? She set the biscuits down and went to get dressed, she slipped on a comfortable dress and sat down to brush out her hair.

“Powder…” Vi croaked, Cait turned around to greet her. “Hm…? Oh…”

“Good morning! I hope you got some rest.” She smiled, excited to tell her she would spend more time over. “Did you have scary dreams? I hate those. One time I had one about a big war happening and for some reason I couldn’t aim my rifle.” Vi nodded and sat up.

“Cool.”

“No, it wasn’t very cool…” she mumbled, her brows furrowing. “In fact it was a bit scary.” Vi looked at her for a moment, then sighed.

“Yeah I know I was just…” that was the longest Caitlyn had heard her speak in a while, she smiled at Vi, glad that she was feeling better, even if it was just a little. “Whatever.”

“Okay! Biscuits.” Cait hopped onto the bed beside her, carefully handling the plate and placing it on her lap. “Usually I eat something nicer for breakfast but who eats formally on sleepovers??” She looked to Vi for an answer but she just stared. “I wish we could’ve done something like the other topside girls do, do you think you enjoy stuff like that? Sometimes you remind me of… what’s the word…? Whatever,” Cait had only started to say whatever since hanging out with Vi. “I’m sure you know what I mean, my brain is always foggy in the morning.”

“Are you sure it isn’t always foggy?” Caitlyn laughed, not really because of her bad joke, but because she had it in her to joke already, even after her family died and she saw their bodies. Violet had told her about how she saw her brother, Caitlyn could hardly believe that someone’s body could get in a state like that. “Wasn’t that funny…”

“Of course it was! Violet, you're very funny, you should be a comic!” Vi raised an eyebrow. “Yes! I’d go to all of your shows and laugh the loudest, don’t you think that’d be great?”

“Sure.”

“Right, of course it would.” She bit into her biscuit.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Jayce got back to the house, his eyes heavy and his body aching, everything down there felt dry and raw, he had no idea how to fix that. The walk all the way back was absolute hell, his legs were tired now, more tired than it would’ve been had he not been pounded into a mattress just ten hours ago. “Viktor…?” He called, afraid, he didn’t want to look at that man. He never wanted to see him again in fact, life would’ve been so much easier if they had never met. Everything would be perfect if Heimerdinger hadn’t suggested Viktor join in on the Hextech project. He wiped his eyes and sighed as there was no reply, maybe he was still asleep?

“Jayce!!” Ximena smiled brightly at him and he jumped, why was she in his house?? “How is my mijito?” She hugged him, just that act alone made the burn in his throat intensify. “No one answered so I let myself in.”

“Mom, you can’t just come in here, I’m not the only one that lives here now.” He explained, still shifting uncomfortably on his feet and fidgeting. “What if Viktor had come in and you’re just here?”

“Ay no, Jayce, Viktor likes me.” She waved her hand around, dismissing his concern. “Speaking of, how are things with him? Good? Have you been taking my advice?” His lip quivered and her eyes softened. “What’s the matter…?”

“Everything!” Her eyes widened, she hadn’t seen Jayce like this since his friends all betrayed him because of his naivety, when he came home, crying and scratching at himself, cursing himself for being so pathetic. “E-everyone… makes fun of me!” He choked and it broke her heart. “I hear the things Viktor says about me, I see the look on Caitlyn’s face when she makes fun of me…”

“Caitlyn doesn’t hate you, mijito, she was just teasing—“

“I just want someone to love me…” his teeth clenched and he sobbed— she didn’t expect him to break down so quickly, but she was his mother after all, and he told her everything, even all the embarrassing things and about his dating life. “I just want someone who doesn’t call me names…”

“Jayce,” she held his face. “I would never hurt you that way, remember what I told you? if no one likes you, I’ll always love you, you’re my son, how could I not?” He choked on a painful sob and let her hold him. “Oh my baby…” she rubbed his back. “I know you don’t handle being bullied well… but you’re so strong, Jayce, I know you can power through this.”

“I can’t…” he said quietly, she replies firmly: “yes, you can.” No matter how big he got, in her eyes, he would never be more than her little son. “You are my flesh, and I believe that part of my soul is in there too. No matter where you are, know I am here…” she rubbed above his heart. “Always.” He placed his hand over hers. “Just as I carry a part of you in my heart too.” She wiped the snot and tears from his face.

“I love you, mami…” suddenly, both Jayce and Ximena felt like they were twenty years younger.

Chapter Text

After their brief conversation, Viktor promised to return to the Kiramman’s house in a couple of hours, he wished Mel and Cassandra a fine rest of the day, then sighed before going on the long walk back to the apartment. It wasn’t that he hated walking, he had gotten used to it from his twenty four years of living, but he was going home to Jayce. He tried to ignore how he felt for a day, but he couldn’t. He felt so immature for it, he was a grown adult hating another for something that was not his fault. Every aspect about Jayce enraged him, how could someone so idiotic have everything he ever wanted. Jayce may be intelligent, but with that intelligence, he could do nothing but—

Viktor tripped, his nose crunching against the concrete, he fell too quickly for his hands to catch him. He looked like an idiot, like a crippled weakling who couldn’t help himself. He looked around, his nose bleeding, his eyes stinging with pain. Was this his punishment for all the treatment he put Jayce through? He couldn’t cry, not with all these people slowing down to pity him. Swallowing, Viktor started to push himself up, watching the ground as a puddle of blood began to spread.

“Viktor?” He wanted to faceplant right back into the ground at the sound of Jayce’s voice. Why was he here anyways? “Oh my god are you alright??” Jayce helped him up and he wanted to shake his hands off him. “That was a hard fall.” His eyes scanned his face rapidly. “Can you hear me?? Are your ears ringing? Oh my goodness you’re so red I hope you didn’t hurt your whole face—“

“I’m fine!” Viktor snapped, his voice on the verge of breaking as he burst in tears. Jayce paused and looked down at him, he looked, somehow, equally as mortified. Viktor met his eyes and Jayce looked away, ashamed. A small crowd gathered, the couple had become mini celebrities because of the whole council being on them and with how revolutionary Hextech was proving to be. Jayce looked around and quickly scooped up Viktor’s cane, he took his hand and planted it firmly to the handle.

“C’mon.” Jayce murmurs, leading him by his elbow to a more secluded area. Viktor’s nose was throbbing and slowly becoming numb, no doubt it was broken. Viktor’s fingers gingerly pressed against the blood coating his upper lip then cringed as he saw how much there was. “I’m sorry for overwhelming you, I really didn’t mean to.” How could Jayce manage to be so kind to him after everything?

“You didn’t overwhelm me, my nose just hurts…” he was blinking hard, he wasn’t going to give Jayce the satisfaction of seeing him cry, he wasn’t going to look like a sensitive little girl in front of the man he so desperately wanted to be. “Thank you.” He grumbled.

“Let me see…” Jayce peered at his nose, squinting and frowning. “It’s not… horrible…” his fingers twitched as if to touch his nose. “There’s a hospital not too far that can get it fixed, I’ll walk with you—“

“I can walk by myself.” Viktor started, Jayce stood still for a moment before trailing behind.

“I would hate to let you go alone and have you risk the chance of falling again.” Viktor rolled his eyes.

“I’m not going to fall again, I’m not… weak.” He spat the word, he had heard it his whole life— heard it so many times it wasn’t even a word to him anymore, instead, it was what he was designed as.

“And I’m not saying you are, Viktor, I’m just worried.” Viktor wanted to suck his teeth and turn around to give him a piece of his mind, but instead replied: “YOU’RE worried about me? Please…” he whispered. “Okay, what do you want from me?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you must want something! I… I know I’m not the kindest to you, and no one has ever been kind to me for no reason, so what do you want?” Jayce stared at him. “What??”

“I just… I don’t know, I just am.” How fucking pathetic, he couldn’t even answer like the man he was.

“Do you wanna get laid or something??” Jayce’s eyes widened and his hand jumped as if to cover his chest, but it remained at his side. “Don’t act surprised…”

“That’s not it at all, Viktor! I just want us to be normal!” His hands started waving about. “I want to be able to come into my house and not dread it!”

“Okay fine I’ll be nicer.” Viktor kept walking.

“Will you just grow up!?” He shouted, Viktor paused once more and turned around. Jayce looked just as shocked.

“Excuse me?” Jayce swallowed then stood taller, like he had just accomplished something great.

“Yeah… yeah I said *will you grow up*.” He emphasized.

“Oh I’m plenty grown, you’re the one who needs to stop being such a pussy! This is the first time I’ve seen you even raise your voice! And to me?! What happened to—“ his nose throbbed and tears stung his eyes. “Being nice? Yeah, you’re definitely not getting that ‘normal’ you want so desperately..” Viktor did want to try to be nicer, it wasn’t like he enjoyed living with someone he hated.

“Oh so all my efforts down the drain over one bit of my frustration?” His eyebrows perked up, his voice wavering a bit so Viktor could tell his throat was starting to ache. “Are you just looking for a new excuse to degrade me every day?!”

“I agreed to be civil, you started this.” Jayce looked livid, it almost made the ache in his nose feel better seeing Jayce so worked up.

“So it’s always my fault?!!” His voice grew louder, they were still in public, in the morning, the streets were busy and they were bound to be noticed. “Viktor I’ve been more than patient just tell me what I did wrong!” He pleaded, why was this affecting his emotional stability so much?

“Oh I dunno…” he began, he wanted to tell him everything that he was doing wrong, to make Jayce more frustrated so his ego might be satisfied… the little devil on his shoulder pushed the words out. “I would tell you, but I don’t think you’re man enough to hear it.” Jayce’s shoulders slumped.

“Man enough to hear it?” He seemed a bit confused.

“Yes, I don’t think you are.”

“Like you’re any better.” The hair on the back of Viktor’s neck rose up. “You aren’t even a man yourself!”

…

“… I’m going to see the doctor now.” Viktor didn’t stop when Jayce tried to tell him to turn back around, instead, despite the screaming in his joints, Viktor pressed on faster. Now he really wanted to sob, of all the soft spots in his skull, Jayce had found the softest part and had punched it with his mighty arm. Once he was in a more secluded area, the painful breathing began, then the sobs that sounded like chalkboard. What a sight he was, his nose crooked, blood starting to flake and dry on his upper lip, he was sobbing with his mouth twisted into an aching way. He limped and trembled, he almost looked like one of those addicts in the undercity, roaming the streets and begging desperately for more. He found someplace he could compose himself, an alleyway, then he wiped at his face with his sleeve. What a mess, ugly and filthy, now he was sweaty from the efforts of his walk and the morning sun down his back. Viktor never wanted to be back under the married man, to have his mind taken off of things, even if it was just for a few minutes.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Jayce had only wanted to come see Caitlyn after his emotional breakdown, to try and help himself feel better with the only other person that could help him and ended up making it worse. Why was Viktor so upset all of a sudden? Jayce knew they were both far from being as mature as they should’ve been, but Viktor’s reaction really shocked him. He never saw Viktor doing anything but loath and sulk, he had never seen the man so clearly upset. Had Viktor been bullied too? Jayce didn’t want to be a prick but he could already see a few reasons why… was him picking on Jayce a way for him to feel better about his past? Jayce stood there in the middle of the street, still not too far from the Kiramman’s house.

He turned back around, guilty that he had ruined any change of making his life any better. He already wanted to go back to Finn, he already was planning on all the things he’d say, all the tears he might have to hold back. In his mind, Finn was holding him, listening and nodding along as Jayce recounted how badly he had skewered up in just a few hours. The walk to the Kiramman’s was already painful enough, now with their arguement— which was one of the only times they had ever talked— he already felt as pathetic as he had a day or two ago.

He walked into the house as he normally did, mostly because he had been around so often and because Caitlyn reassured him that he was practically family by now. He had known her since her embarrassing preteen years, she was his brother in a sense.

He went upstairs to her bedroom and knocked, surely they’d be awake by now. He knocked on the door before entering, Vi was sitting on the bed as Caitlyn was getting dressed in some of her dresses, asking her what she thought about them or if she wanted to try some of them on. “Oh, hi Jayce!” She smiled, Jayce gave her a tight smile back before finding a chair to sit on. “What’re you doing here?”

“Just uh…” he looked around. “Stopping by.” He looked at the two of them, did Violet spend the night? Her hair was messier than usual and she looked tired. “Did you guys sleep well?”

“For the most part; we stayed up late.” That explained the dark eyes and lazy movements. “So what did you do at your mom’s?”

“What do you mean— ohhh…” right, his excuse to wander off was him going to his mom’s house. “We just talked about some stuff, I spent the night too.” He knew he messed up when Violet looked a bit suspicious, she never looked like anything, it must've been obvious he lied.

“Okay Jayce what did you really do?” Caitlyn wasn’t even trying to be subtle about his night. “Is it bad…?” She was practically bouncing eagerly. “And did you lie to us?” Her tone deflated. “C’mon Jayce you know I wouldn’t snitch on you.” Her arms crossed. “Just say what happened I wanna know!” Jayce was tempted to tell her the truth, but having Caitlyn, who in her eyes was still a little girl, know about his hookup felt a bit odd.

“I went to get drunk with an old friend.” Violet and Caitlyn exchanged. “What?”

“Well if it’s as simple as that then why would you need to lie?” She looked so proud of herself for figuring that out.

“C’mon Cait…” Jayce groaned, his face dropping into his hands. “Can’t you give me a break…?”

“Ohhhhh what did you do with your friend?” He thought about how to word it nicely for her. After a minute, he lifted his head.

“So I did get drunk… with… a stranger,” Caitlyn had her fingers over his mouth, she was in such a good mood today. “And uh… okay we might’ve gone back to his place, so…” his voice trailed off near the end and his face felt hot. This might’ve been easier to say had Viktor now scolded him in public about his masculinity. Sometimes he wondered if Viktor was one of those guys who listened to obnoxious male podcasters, maybe that was why he was so irked that Jayce was a bit sensitive to things?

“You had a one night stand…?” She seemed so shocked, he couldn’t blame her, it was pretty out of character for him. “But you’re married!” She whispered-shouted.

“Yeah well I don’t know if you’ve noticed but my marriage is not going very well.” He explained, exasperated. Cait nodded and stayed a bit quiet. “In fact, Viktor and I were just arguing.”

“He just left my house a few minutes ago…” She added, Jayce figured— Viktor had come out from the gates to the front of the house when he saw him on the ground. “What did you guys argue about?” Her head tilted, he noticed Violet trying to listen but also trying to stay out of the conversation.

“About each other.” Jayce didn’t know how else to phrase it, that’s all it was, really. “I’m not very proud of the fact I engaged in it, it was kinda… something’s you’d hear teenagers argue about.”

“What did you guys say?”

“Well he called me a pussy and we had a little back and forth about who’s manlier.” Violet and Cait looked at each other, their eyebrows raised with that ‘really??’ look. Jayce was a bit embarrassed.

“Thats gotta be the dumbest thing I’ve heard all day.” Violet nodded, he knew it was bad when she was responding.

“Well he got really offended when I said he wasn’t a man as if he wasn’t just saying the same to me.” He paused as Caitlyn looked a bit shocked. “What?”

“You think like… he’s projecting onto you?” She asked cautiously.

“I was just thinking that, actually. I know I shouldn’t take how he acts personally but it’s kinda hard.”

“Is it so hard to not have a normal conversation…?” They both looked at Violet, surprised by her verbal response. “I mean, you’d think grown men could handle things better.”

“I’m trying…” sometimes Violet thought Jayce acted like a teenage girl, like somehow, in his youth, something stopped him from getting to his full potential. Or maybe it was because his only friend was a teenage girl? She wasn’t trying to be mean, Violet wasn’t as violent as some people made her out to be, in fact, under all those rough patches, she was the sweetest person ever. “I mean… we almost did, but I messed it up.”

“Typical…” Caitlyn whispered.

“I heard that!” He didn’t sound angry at least. “Violet, can’t you say some nice things about me to him?”

“Don’t involve me.”

“Okay…” He quickly moved on from her, he was scared of accidentally triggering some sort of memory and sending her down the spiral she was finally crawling out of. “Moving on from that—“

“What do you mean moving on?? Jayce you can’t just say all this and not say the whole story.” Caitlyn sat down and got comfortable, then Jayce started everything. He started at the beginning, when Hiemerdinger introduced the two, things weren’t so hard back then. Back then, they only worked on equations and theories together, then compared them. Jayce wasn’t sure what he did wrong, but one evening Viktor came in and didn’t even look at him. He remembered trying to ask what was wrong, but Viktor only gave the short reply: ‘it’s nothing’. He kept rubbing his chest, so back then, Jayce thought maybe he was sick, maybe he had chest pains? Viktor looked at him and told him—

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“God, do you ever just mind your business?” Jayce’s eyes widened with shock, this was new. He looked back down at his paper, hurt. He hated when people raised their voices at him, it reminded him of highschool. “Just focus on the theories.” Viktor began to scribble and Jayce watched him for a moment.

“I’m sorry…” he murmured, the candy in his pocket started to feel heavy. He wanted to get them something small for the tiny celebration of Viktor finally figuring out how to stabilize the crystal. After a minute of his stillness, he dug into his pocket and held the candy in his palm. “Here.” He said cautiously. “It’s chocolate.”

“I don’t like chocolate.” Viktor didn’t even look, Jayce nodded and put the candy down.

“would you just take it anyway?” His voice was already small and weak, something about the situation just gave off the idea that he should be quieter.

“Fine.” Viktor took it and put it in his pocket, Jayce had only wanted a lighthearted moment between them to take a break and enjoy the fruits of their labor. He didn’t want to seem sensitive and hurt, or that he was trying to guilt trip him, Viktor already seemed to be in a sour mood. After that, he didn’t say much, the next day was the same, the day after too, then it started to get worse. Viktor didn’t just seem upset, he seemed annoyed the second he saw Jayce. Maybe he wasn’t overreacting? Maybe Viktor really did start to hate something about him? He made sure to shower before they met, brushed his teeth twice, didn’t put on too much cologne and made sure his look was professional, but that wasn't it, because Viktor only made the tension worse. Jayce knew it was bad when he came out of the lab for water and heard him talking to his friend.

“Don’t get me started on that cuck, Jayce…” his mind went blank, why would he say that? Jayce hadn’t done anything wrong, not that he could think of. “I’ve never met someone so infuriating…”

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

“Well I don’t know either.” Was that really all Cait had to say?

“Gee thanks…” Jayce’s mood was soured now after recounting the beginning of their randomly generated tension, or at least that’s how he saw it. “Why won’t he just tell me so I could try to fix it and make our lives easier?”

“I can ask him.” Violet said softly, then Jayce’s eye lit up with an idea.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Vi hadn’t really said anything to Viktor since the night they met, when he brought up Claggor. Otherwise, they really both were quiet. Sometimes the house felt abandoned, just for her to get up to use the restroom and she’d find Viktor reading a hook silently by the window. It was almost scary how quiet he could be.

After a few more hours with Cait, Jayce walked her home quietly. She was more than grateful that he took her in, gave her a comfortable enough house to sleep in and a place closer to the one person she trusted, but she did wish that the people in their house weren’t constantly at each other’s throats. Jayce let her inside the house, Viktor wasn’t home, but some older woman was in there. She looked like a sweet enough lady, and she knew Jayce, this must be his mother.

“And who’s this?” She smiled, staring right at her. “Mijo, did you two already adopt?” Jayce was locking the door behind them as she asked her questions, he looked over his shoulder to answer.

“No, we’re just taking care of her for now.” Jayce stood beside her. “Violet, this is my mom.” He wasn’t as loud and carefree as he was at the Kiramman’s house.

“You can call me Ximena,” she smiled. “Your name is Violet?” She nodded. “Oh what a beautiful name for a beautiful girl!” Vi didn’t want to be overwhelmed by her loving attitude, she almost wanted to stay by her side all day. She didn’t really have a problem being surrounded by a bunch of guys all day, but sometimes being with someone who could substitute as a mother was the better option. “Violet… that’s a beautiful color too, is this why you were named that?” She smoothed out her wild hair and Vi nodded. “Isn’t that precious…?”

“Thanks…” she whispered, awkward but so tempted to give the older woman a hug.

“You’re welcome.” She turned to Jayce. “I was looking in your fridge for something to prepare lunch with and there isn’t much.”

“Yeah, we kinda just eat everything and once it’s all gone we restock it.” His mom shook her head. “What? It’s a good way to keep it from piling up.”

“Well I don’t think it’s a good idea when you have a growing girl living with you.” Bi noticed the metal fingers and wondered how she had lost her real ones. That must’ve hurt if it had been an accident, Vi couldn’t even imagine how much she’d panic if her fingers were to be cut off.

“Vi doesn’t mind, right?” Sometimes Jayce would try to include her, only when he was joking though, she understood why, she didn’t like to think about the reason though. “Kids from the undercity are pretty tough.”

“Kids, mijo, undercity or not, she’s a kid.” This was the first time she didn’t want to argue about how grown up she was, maybe she’d finally get to eat all the fancy top side food she’d heard so much about. “Do I have to do everything for you?”

“No! It’s my first time raising a kid, don’t expect me to know everything.” That was reassuring, definitely.

After an hour the door opened and Viktor stood there, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Jayce and a big bandage over his nose. “What happened to your nose?” Ximena asked from where she stood in the kitchen.

“I fell.” He said, sitting down to get his shoes off and to get into his slippers. “My nose broke.” He sounded a bit nasally, and his eyes looked a little puffy. Cait had told her that he stopped by the Kiramman’s house to pick her up but left shortly before Jayce came in, he must’ve broken it on his way out.

“Pobrecito…” she whispered. “Do you need any pain killers?”

“No, thank you, the doctors already gave me some.” By the look in his eyes, Vi could tell he wouldn’t mind taking a handful more. Everyone in this house, besides Jayce’s mom, was a little depressed. That would be a good reason for the constant silence, her depression brought along episodes of silence, so maybe theirs did too?

“That’s good…” she had just finished preparing a simple meal for lunch when he came in, perfect timing. “Here, have some, you’ll feel better.”

“Thank you.” He took a plate and faced the opposite direction of where Jayce was sitting with a magazine, an empty plate in front of him. His mother’s cooking was pretty good, she couldn’t blame him for stuffing it down so quickly. Or maybe he was hungry after his adventure from last night with the guy he hooked up with, that also made sense.

Vi wanted to shove herself in the middle of the conflict, but figured that Viktor might not want to talk right now after coming home to the guy he had just argued with, and because of his broken nose. She also had to think of a few things to say, like about how Jayce didn’t mean it and that it’s normal to be frustrated but not normal to hold grudges for something that wasn’t very obvious— maybe he’d like her because they were both from the undercity? She zoned out in thought for so long she didn’t notice that his mother had left and that there was rare chatter coming from the other room, who else would it be besides Viktor and Jayce? Were they back at it after an argument less than three hours ago? She got up and made her way to the sound of the chatter, opened the door to see Mylo bickering about how Claggor had cheated in their card game. “Mylo…” her eyes widened.

“You’re finally here, can you tell Claggor to stop cheating?” He looked at her like nothing had happened, like she hadn’t held his shattered hand just a week ago. “C’mon Vi!”

“I didn’t cheat, don’t be a sore loser.” Claggor sounded just as sluggish as he always did, with his deep voice and laid back posture. “You get like this every time you lose.” Vi looked between the two of them, her heart started to thud.

“Where’s Powder?” She started to look around nervously. “Have you seen her?”

“Who knows where she’s at, she’s probably off jinxing something, like she usual is…”

“Powder!” Vi started to move around the house, she dropped to her knees and peered under furniture, opened doors violently and craned her neck around every corner so hard it started to ache. She was at the last door, her heart still hammering. She opened it and saw her baby sister, hunched over a chair and clutching her face. “Oh, Powder…” her voice softened, she knew her sister made it out of the explosion alive, she knew she’d come back to find her. “I tried to find you, I really did—“ Powder turned around to face her, blood trickling down her face— broken and shattered in the same way Mylo’s was.

“It’s all your fault!” Her little sister shouted, Vi took a step back. “You told me to make that bomb!”

“Powder, I never meant that…” she closed her eyes but Powder still found her in the darkness. “I would’ve never told you to make something dangerous—“

“It’s all your fault!!” Her voice echoed in her mind, ricocheting off the walls of her skull until it started to hurt.

“Violet?” That wasn’t Powder’s voice, she wanted to chase it, try to get out of whatever nightmare this was. “What are you doing, are you alright?”

“It’s my fault…” she sobbed, opening her eyes to see Viktor standing there where powder was, a tissue to his face and his nose bleeding.

“What is?”

“The explosion…” it was only when Vi was starting to enjoy her life that she wanted to end it.