Chapter Text
The awakening was slow and lazy. Jayce, still on the threshold between wakefulness and sleep, rubbed his face against the pillow, trying to return to his body. It was then that his nose brushed against Viktor’s hair. He inhaled deeply, causing his mind to go blank of any thoughts that weren’t of the Zaunite.
Then, he sighed with satisfaction. His scent was so pleasant that it made him feel better just by inhaling it. Smiling, he turned his eyes towards the clock, which illuminated with a faint light from the nightstand. An hour had passed since he’d tried to get up, but the Zaunite, half asleep, had clung to him, refusing to let him go. Of course, Jayce couldn’t resist his request. How could he, when Viktor looked so adorable holding onto him and grumbling for him not to leave?
So, he had no choice but to turn around and pull him back into his arms, cuddling him against his chest. He smiled as he saw Viktor’s hand return to a spot where it seemed to find particular comfort. Because, whenever he had the chance, it ended up there naturally, gripping the fabric of Jayce’s shirt just above his heart. Apparently, his heartbeat had a calming effect on his partner.
With his hand, Jayce carefully covered Viktor’s, realizing that the grip was weak: resting, not holding like other nights. It was as if, even asleep, his subconscious had understood that Jayce wasn’t going anywhere, that he didn’t need to do anything to make him stay, except to simply be.
That thought made him smile. Every new facet of Viktor he discovered made him fall deeper in love. He felt overwhelmed with joy, knowing that Viktor felt so safe with him that he could show him that vulnerability he worked so hard to hide from everyone else.
After giving a tender squeeze to the hand of the brilliant genius resting against him, he moved his hand to gently push away some stray locks of hair that covered part of Viktor’s face. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, marking a bright line on the wall far from the bed, allowing him to see without it being bothersome. This way, he could watch him while he was still asleep.
His fingers delicately combed Viktor’s hair back, spreading it over the pillow, away from his skin. This way, he completely uncovered his face, lit by the soft morning light. The young man had a completely relaxed expression. And Jayce could understand why. He had slept better than he had in years, not moving a single inch until he woke up, with Viktor still against his back in the exact position they had fallen asleep in. The calm he felt inside was deep, spreading through every nerve ending and muscle….
He knew Viktor wasn’t holding him because of the cold, it was because he wanted to. He wanted him.
Viktor had kissed him, held him from behind, and kept him throughout the night. His slender fingers had stayed entwined with his on his chest until he turned to wrap him in his arms. When he first woke up, he had felt Viktor’s nose pressed against his back. Adorable, he thought. And now he looked so… soft while sleeping…
And he was convinced the Zaunite felt the same way.
He had to suppress the urge to hug him too tightly because he was so adorable that his brain would short-circuit, like when you see a kitten. But he didn’t want to wake him yet. He wanted to enjoy more of his trust, of how his most vulnerable leg rested comfortably over his own, without tension or pain. He sighed again, savoring every moment. Viktor’s brows had no wrinkle of tension. He made his best attempt not to touch them, but he couldn’t resist placing a tender kiss on his forehead.
Jayce Talis knew he was the luckiest man in the world, because of all the people, he was the only one with that adorable, grumpy genius sleeping peacefully in his arms.
An indefinite amount of time later, Viktor murmured something unintelligible before burying his face in his partner’s armpit, escaping from the light. His hand, the one resting on Jayce’s chest, moved to the side of him farther away, pulling him closer to keep him near.
“Is someone having trouble opening their eyes?” he chuckled softly, kissing his temple. Now that he had (half) woken up, he took the opportunity to give his partner a tight squeeze, because he couldn’t wait any longer to hold him close. “Good morning, Vik. My genius. My boyfriend” he couldn’t help himself.
A soft, sleepy laugh escaped Viktor’s lungs when he heard how happy Jayce sounded saying he was his boyfriend.
“Good morning, J” he murmured, still unable to open his eyes but turning his face toward Jayce as if he were looking at him.
“Did you sleep well?” he whispered against his lips before kissing them gently.
Viktor gave up without hesitation. He sighed softly, completely forgetting the question. His lips calmly followed the slow movement of Jayce’s.
When they separated, Talis stroked his cheek, smiling as he repeated.
“I asked if you slept well…”
“Hmm? Ah, yes, yes…” he replied with a silly grin, his cheeks slightly flushed. This man was going to be his downfall. “Five more minutes, please…” he murmured, burying his face in Jayce’s neck, inhaling his scent deeply. This had become his new favorite perfume. Since Viktor was so good at identifying and remembering scents, he planned to store this one in his memory forever.
“At some point, we’ll have to go downstairs for breakfast, right?” he whispered, tenderly caressing the back of the Zaunite’s neck. Now that he knew the big effect this gesture had on him too, he would never miss an opportunity to do it. He felt satisfied seeing how Viktor simply melted into his arms like a grumpy, sleepy cat.
“At some point” he replied, still hiding in his partner’s neck, planting a lazy kiss there. “But not now.”
* * *
Once they managed to get up —or rather, Jayce convinced Viktor to get up— they went downstairs to have breakfast.
Ximena found them in the kitchen minutes later. Jayce was handing his boyfriend the sugar when she spoke up.
“Good morning, you two” she gave them a motherly smile. “I was thinking… since the celebrations are over, we could make cookies together. If you’d like.”
Talis nodded and turned to Viktor for confirmation. What he saw was even better. A delighted expression lit up his face, silently telling them that he loved the idea.
“Sounds great, Ma” Jayce replied, getting up to give her a good morning hug.
“Yeah… I’d really like that” Viktor added, stirring his coffee. The sound of the spoon against the cup revealed he had put too much sugar in it.
So, by mid-morning, the three of them gathered in the kitchen, ready to make a wonderful dessert. She explained the process step by step, and together, they worked through it, dividing the tasks.
Jayce turned out to be a pro at mixing and kneading with his huge, strong hands, while Viktor meticulously measured the ingredients down to the milligram. Whenever he added too much of something, he grabbed a small spoon and returned tiny amounts to get it just right. Ximena smiled, moving between the two of them.
Unfortunately for Talis, despite his skill with the dough and his precision with tools in the lab, shaping the cookies into round and pretty shapes was clearly not his forte, so he was relegated to cleaning the utensils they’d been using during the process. He pouted but obediently made his way to the sink.
“But that cookie, leave it as it is!” he exclaimed, pointing toward the tray, specifically at one oval-shaped cookie that clearly didn’t match the others.
“Of course, mijo” his mother responded, smiling at Viktor as she gave him a gentle nudge, a knowing gesture.
“I saw that, and it’s not funny” Jayce grumbled, trying to sound angry, but his little laugh gave him away. He sighed and got to his boring task, though his eyes occasionally drifted toward them because the sight was too endearing. Viktor had a soft, relaxed expression. He shaped cookies, alternately glancing at the dough and at his mother, who smiled warmly at him. He usually kept his distance from everyone, but now he was so close to her as they worked… A deep joy settled in Jayce’s heart as he noticed how well they had gotten along from the start. She treated him like a son, and Viktor… the affection he felt for Ximena was evident in his gaze.
“Jayce, the dishes, don’t just let the water run” his mother scolded him with a wry smile.
Caught in the act.
“I was doing that!” he replied, returning to work. Fortunately, now his back was to them, and they could barely see how red his ears had turned. They’d caught him staring at them, probably looking like a lovesick fool while watching his boyfriend with tenderness.
* * *
That day, the three of them had lunch together while the cookies baked and cooled enough to eat without burning themselves. Even though the Talis family’s environment was warm in its bustle, the stillness of sharing a meal only with Ximena was pleasant. Occasionally, Viktor’s foot brushed against his partner’s, and while Ximena brought the tray from the oven, Jayce took his hand and began absentmindedly playing with his fingers.
The shy expression that appeared on the Zaunite’s face didn’t go unnoticed. Jayce knew exactly why. Nothing about this felt the same anymore. That night, something had shifted between them. Now that they both knew that nothing they did was fake, every action —holding hands, the silent support of Jayce’s hand on the Zaunite’s back, or when Viktor leaned toward him to rest his head on his arm— took on much more significance. They both knew that whatever they did was a show of affection, not a facade they put on for others.
Because they loved each other.
Talis smiled at him while stroking the back of Viktor’s hand with his thumb and then carefully let go of it.
“Here you go” Ximena appeared with a large plate on which she had arranged all the cookies. “Though they taste different when they cool, they still have a special touch when hot.”
And she wasn’t lying. Viktor delighted in the cookies. Their texture was unique: crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside.
“It’s a family recipe” the woman explained, happy to see how much he liked them.
Happy, Jayce took the only cookie he had shaped and broke it into three pieces to share with his two favorite people.
* * *
After they finished eating, Jayce went upstairs to pack his suitcase while Viktor napped in what had become his favorite corner of the couch. The Zaunite hadn’t brought many things with him and had finished packing quickly.
He didn’t like goodbyes. They had always meant being left alone, and even though this time he would return with Jayce, he still hated the feeling. It was as if he couldn’t shake the sense that this was a “goodbye” rather than a “see you soon.” For this reason, he had packed as fast as he could, wanting to get the unpleasant moment over with.
“Ma, have you seen Viktor?” he asked once everything was more or less ready. He preferred to pack a day in advance rather than doing it under stress and forgetting half his stuff, like had happened in the past. He often ended up buying a new toothbrush because he would forget it either in the dorm or at home.
“He told me he wanted to go out for a moment and that he’d be back soon. He left with a mysterious air, and I didn’t want to insist. I just lent him my scarf so he wouldn’t have to go up for his own.”
Sometimes during their time at the campus, Viktor would disappear for several hours and then come back. Jayce was convinced he was going somewhere, maybe to grab a snack in Zaun or visit some acquaintance. But he didn’t expect him to do the same thing here.
“What…? Did he go out… alone?” panic flashed briefly across his expression as his gaze shifted to the window. It was snowing more than when they had gone out together days ago.
“Hey… he’ll be fine. He promised me he wouldn’t leave the town” Ximena said in a soothing voice, fully aware of the source of her son’s nervousness. “You took him on a tour, he knows the area.”
“Yeah, but what if he slips on the ice? What if he doesn’t know how to get back here? All the houses in the area look the same.”
“Sweetheart, you know how careful Viktor is. He won’t do anything that could put him in danger” she tried to reassure him, wrapping her arms around him. The signs of anxiety were clear; she just wanted him to feel better. Jayce had always been so protective of her and the people he loved that whenever something could go wrong, his nerves would get the best of him. “He said he wouldn’t be long.”
Her son clung to her as he used to when he was a child and scared during the nights.
“I know, Ma… but I’m just so scared something will happen to him…”
“Listen… even though the town isn’t big, we’re not going to go looking for him all of a sudden. It’s better to have someone home to open the door for him, so he doesn’t stay out in the cold waiting, okay?” she replied, gently stroking his back to calm him. With the same maternal affection she always had, she placed a sweet kiss on her son’s temple. “And before you say anything, no, you’re not going out alone. If you want, we can bundle up a bit and step out to the porch. What do you think, darling?
“Y-yeah, that could be good…” he whispered, slowly letting go of his mother. He quickly grabbed his coat. Ximena followed him, taking his hand before opening the door.
The winter air greeted them, making Jayce shiver. The sky was dark, a clear sign that the weather would only get worse. Ximena squeezed her son’s hand as she felt his nervousness, but then the sound of the frozen gate creaking open reached their ears.
The Zaunite appeared, well covered with Ximena’s scarf and an old hat he’d had for a long time. He stepped carefully into the garden, leaning on his cane, knowing that the tile floor could be slippery.
Jayce’s eyes widened in both surprise and relief instantly.
“Vik!” After making sure his mother was safely on the porch, he ran to him with his arms open. Gently, he brushed the snowflakes stuck in his hair and pulled him tightly to his chest.
“Jayce—” Viktor, surprised by the sudden outburst, took a few seconds to remember the source of his partner’s distress. He could barely hug him back since one of his hands was holding his cane and the other was holding something that the athlete hadn’t noticed because he was too focused on making sure his boyfriend was alright.
Jayce had hugged him as soon as he was within reach, so Ximena could only see her son’s broad back and Viktor’s slim arms sticking out from his sides. The hand holding the cane tried to press against Jayce’s back.
“Aww, Viktor” Ximena smiled when she saw what he was holding in his other hand. Clearly, her son had found himself a really adorable boyfriend. Seeing how Viktor tensed slightly from the compliment, she opened the door to the house and, stepping through the threshold, announced “I’ll leave you two alone. Come inside when you’re ready. Don’t stay out in the cold.”
It was then that Jayce realized what his partner was holding.
When they let go of the embrace, Viktor noticed how his partner observed his flushed cheeks while feeling how Jayce’s hand held him firmly, yet delicately at the same time.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to scare you, I just… um…” Recovering his balance thanks to his cane and Jayce’s hand, Viktor handed him a bouquet of flowers he had specially chosen for him. The paper had the logo of a florist from the village center. “I wanted to surprise you, but I don’t know if you like flowers. The… the tulips reminded me of you. They’re… yellow, they look alive, friendly… like you.”
Jayce lowered his gaze to examine the gift, then let out an exclamation, feeling emotional.
“Oh, Vik!!! I love them!” In that moment, his brain short-circuited for a second. Too many feelings at the same time. Viktor had gone out just to buy these for him, thinking they might like them. He wanted to hug him again, cover him in kisses, tell him how special he was… So he framed his face with adoration and, closing the distance between them, claimed his lips so passionately that Viktor felt his lungs running out of air.
Viktor felt his knees trembling as he tried to return the kiss. Leaning his cane on Jayce’s elbow, he anchored himself with his free hand to avoid falling. He noticed how a warmth spread from his chest, climbing up his neck and turning his ears red.
It wasn’t just because of the kiss. It was because he felt exposed. The flowers were a way of expressing to Jayce how special he was to him, how much he loved him when words seemed insufficient. He wanted, even if it was just a small gesture, to have something with him that in no way compared to the wonderful holidays he had spent by his side.
When they finally broke apart, Viktor took a long, shaky breath while Jayce still held him by the cheeks, keeping him close. Viktor closed his eyes, pressing his forehead against Jayce’s, feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, though in the best possible way.
“Thank you, thank you” he said between kisses, caressing every inch of his face, emphasizing those beautiful moles that adorned it. “Thank you so much, really. They’re so beautiful… You’re… oh! How much I love you” His grateful gaze met his beloved’s eyes, then shifted to the bouquet to admire it better.
His fingers delicately ran over the petals as he took the bouquet with his other hand.
“Um…” still stunned by the enthusiastic display of affection, he swallowed hard. It had definitely been well received; he was surprised by how much Jayce liked them. He understood that couples or people who loved each other gave flowers, but in Zaun, they didn’t have that custom, and in Piltover, he’d never bothered to pay attention to it. So, he wasn’t sure if his boyfriend would like them or if for some reason it might feel out of place. Fortunately, Jayce, as usual, dismissed any insecurities related to the gesture. “I saw the shop the day we went for churros…” he explained timidly. “The tulips… they resemble the color of your eyes.”
And he wasn’t lying. The yellow of the flowers was deep, very similar to the amber hue of Jayce’s irises.
“I love them, Vik, really, you’re a gem” Jayce looked so happy that it seemed like he might cry any moment. “No one has ever given me flowers before, and these are so beautiful… thank you” still holding the bouquet, he hugged him again. “I’m going to look up methods to dry one of the tulips and keep it forever.”
The Zaunite smiled.
“I think I know how to do it. You can press them or hang them upside down… If you want, we could do it together.”
It was amazing. Always full of answers. Always ready to make Jayce fall even more in love with him.
“Of course” When Talis went to take his hand, he saw that a bag from the same shop was hanging from his shoulder.
“Oh, what’s this?” he asked curiously, though he already had a good idea of the answer. Because Viktor was just too sweet.
“I thought your mother might like them” he replied, opening the bag timidly. “I noticed she has some pots, and… do you think…?”
“Of course she’s going to love them” Jayce interrupted, peeking inside to see the contents: a pot of Pansies. Their petals were a color that combined so well with the tone of the house’s facade. Talis smiled, trying not to pounce on him again. “And even more so knowing they come from you. She loves flowers, and she loves you. Almost as much as I do.”
When they came back inside the house, Jayce hurried to put his flowers in water to make them last longer. He took the opportunity to excitedly show them to his mother, telling her that Viktor was waiting for her in the hall.
While he waited, the Zaunite couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. He had felt so lucky to have spent holidays like the ones he had, that he didn’t want to leave without first doing something for Jayce’s mother. Of course, a simple pot couldn’t compare to the love she had shown him from the very start, but he didn’t know what else to do to tell her that he cared for her, that he felt fortunate to have enjoyed her company. That he would miss her and hoped to see her again soon.
When she saw them, Ximena made a sound of excitement. Under different circumstances, she would have hugged him and covered him with kisses, but she didn’t want to overwhelm poor Viktor. He looked so shy with the plant extended toward her…
“I don't know how to thank you, ma’am —I mean— just thank you!” Why did he say that!? “For everything. I've felt really at home here.”
“Thank you so much, sweetheart. You’re a gem” she gave him a soft hug, rubbing his back briefly. “I’m going to put the pot in the kitchen, that way whenever I see it, I’ll remember you.”
Jayce observed the exchange from where he stood. It was surprising how sweet and shy Viktor could be. He adored this new side of him and didn’t want to stop discovering new things about him. When he had addressed his mother using the formal “ma’am” before correcting himself, speaking with that strong accent that betrayed how nervous he was, Jayce had to repress his urge to hug him until some bone cracked. The Zaunite’s ears were still red, and he didn’t want to overwhelm him.
* * *
When Ximena entered the kitchen, she found Jayce and Viktor having breakfast at the counter. Jayce’s flowers were still as perfect as the day before, and the potted plant she had gifted him rested next to the window, receiving the scant morning light.
The Zaunite was chewing on a toast with jam, still looking half-asleep as he sat on a stool, while her son stood beside him, nibbling on a cookie, his other hand tenderly caressing his partner’s back.
Jayce looked truly radiant. He was so happy. And how could he not be? When he had opened his eyes that morning, the first thing he saw was Viktor’s smile. Apparently, he had been awake for an indefinite amount of time, and had been playing with what would be Talis’ bangs if he had longer hair. When he realized he was being watched, he blushed and quickly turned his gaze and hand away.
What did Jayce do about it?
He made Viktor blush even more. He simply leaned towards him, closing the distance with a kiss full of tenderness, gently taking his hand to guide it back to the spot he had been caressing.
“Good morning, guys” the woman smiled, walking over to them. Her son hugged her, and Viktor turned to greet her, receiving a maternal kiss on the forehead.
Although he liked it, every time the woman showed him affection, he was caught off guard. Or perhaps it was that his guard would unexpectedly drop when she came close, which left him feeling disoriented. As usual, he responded with a shy gesture and a light blush on his cheeks.
“Good morning, Ma. Did you sleep well?” he asked with a radiant smile. After hugging her, he returned to Viktor, as if he couldn’t conceive of being apart from him for too long.
“Yes. It was a peaceful night. How about you two? You both look rested.”
“We slept well” Jayce nodded, rubbing the Zaunite’s back. It was impossible to sleep badly when Viktor was in his arms.
“Yes, luckily Jayce hardly snored” Viktor glanced at him sideways, a smirk on his face.
“Hey!” Jayce laughed.
“You’re lucky you didn’t meet him when he was a sleepwalker, son.”
Son.
The woman smiled. She just wanted to tease her boy a little.
“When he was little, he would get up and walk around the house. One day, he went down to the kitchen and asked for a plate of lentils. I gave him a glass of warm water, but it worked for him! And the next day, he didn’t remember anything! When I asked him, he looked at me like I was crazy.”
“Maaa!”
Viktor laughed.
“How adorable, my little one…” Ximena commented. “I need to run some errands, but later, I can tell you a few stories from when Jayce was little.”
“I’d love that.”
“Can you stop talking about me like I’m not here?” Jayce grumbled.
Viktor shook his head in amusement, wrapping his arm around whatever part of Jayce’s back he could reach and giving him playful pats.
“What time does your train leave?” he asked a moment later. “I want to be here to say goodbye to both of you.”
The Zaunite’s shoulders sank slightly at the question, reminded of the return trip. The holidays had flown by, just like the doughnuts Viktor had brought when they first arrived, as soon as they were in the hands of the Talis family.
“At five. We’ll have dinner as soon as we arrive on campus” her son replied.
“Good, that gives us time to lunch peacefully. Don’t forget to call me when you get home, okay?”
“Of course.”
Thinking about returning to campus stirred a mix of emotions in Viktor. On one hand, there was disappointment, because it meant leaving this behind for at least a while. Christmas had passed too quickly, and he would’ve loved to stay a few more days. With him and his family.
On the other hand, there was anticipation. His heart fluttered thinking about the new normal they were going to live.
Together.
Technically, they had been roommates since Jayce started university. It had been a fortunate coincidence since Viktor had been looking for a roommate now that he had been granted a scholarship and could stay at the Academy rather than living off Heimmerdinger’s charity —to whom he would always be grateful, of course.
But now, their situation had changed! They were going to return to campus together! As a couple!
Jayce was absolutely elated. Between study sessions and classes, maybe they could nap together, or go for walks, or… or have a date! The way his heart fluttered at the thought was ridiculous.
"Aw, you two look so good together… I’d say even better than when you arrived. Call it a mother’s intuition.”
The couple exchanged a knowing glance.
“Must be…”
The woman smiled. Viktor’s calmness, his slow demeanor, was in stark contrast to her son’s: pure energy, a man who couldn’t sit still. Both so different, yet they created a perfectly balanced combination. She had never seen her son so radiant with anyone. He radiated joy with every movement.
As had become customary, Ximena served Viktor an extra bowl of soup. Since it was their last meal with them, she had prepared their favorite dishes as a farewell gesture. The woman watched tenderly as they enjoyed what she had cooked.
They talked about various topics, such as the return to university, one of Ximena’s friends, or the lab internships. Every now and then, Jayce would timidly take Viktor’s hand under the table. It felt natural, but at the same time, he felt a little nervous remembering that they weren’t pretending…
Viktor glanced at him sideways and smiled shyly, returning the gesture with a gentle squeeze of his fingers.
And Jayce couldn’t stop smiling. Just the way Viktor looked at his mother made him feel warm inside. He genuinely seemed happy to share spaces with her, to be a part of the family.
Once they finished eating, they practically forced Viktor to sit by the fire while they cleaned the table. During those weeks, it had become clear that the Talis family’s policy regarding guests was strict. No cleaning up the table.
Afterward, Jayce approached him with the knitted blanket Viktor had come to love so much.
“I’m going to take a shower before the trip. I’ll be back in a bit, okay?” he gave Viktor a smile as he covered his legs with the blanket. Taking advantage of the proximity, he placed a shy kiss on his cheek near the mole under his eye, while his hand gently caressed the other half of his face.
The tenderness of the gesture made Viktor blush slightly. And of course, now he was smiling like a lovestruck teenager.
“Aw…” Ximena’s unmistakable voice rang out, unable to contain herself, causing Viktor’s ears to turn crimson. He was still getting used to Jayce’s constant affection. He didn’t have complaints, but doing it with his mother watching made him feel… exposed.
“Ma!” he complained, crouching down to use the back of the couch as a shield from his mother’s eyes. “I’ll be right back, okay?” He kissed Viktor’s hand.
“I’ll be waiting here.” he whispered, his eyes lingering on the place where Jayce's lips had been
Soon after Jayce left, his mother took a seat on the opposite side of the couch where Viktor was resting. She wanted to be close but not make him feel invaded.
“Would you like some tea, maybe some hot chocolate?” she asked kindly.
There were few moments when they were alone, so the Zaunite had no idea where the conversation was headed. He had been so focused on pretending to be the perfect boyfriend while trying not to let the act consume him, that he barely had time to explore how he truly felt about Ximena, and how calm she made him feel despite how little they knew each other.
“No, thank you. I’m still savoring the food. It was delicious, I must say” He turned his face to give her a warm smile.
“Thank you. I love cooking for my family. It’s one of the many ways I express my affection.”
“Oh” he nodded.
That made sense now. How she had fought to make dinners during the holidays, but also the nights when Jayce would cook for the two of them or buy him a surprise dessert for a snack.
And Viktor had no idea how to express that affection. Or did he?
He was learning.
“Well… I… I think it’s a beautiful way to show it” he finally responded.
“Did you feel comfortable here? With us?”
“What?—Yes!” The answer came perhaps a bit too quickly. His eyes widened slightly, accompanied by his raised eyebrows, surprised by the question.
The woman had assumed that Viktor would never say that he hadn’t been content, but the way he spoke without even thinking of a response made it clear that he was being completely sincere. He didn’t even bother to hide his feelings.
“It’s been…” His hand toyed with the edge of the blanket. He needed to tell her. He didn’t want to leave without telling Ximena how he felt, although whatever he said wouldn’t fully express just how much all of this had meant to him. “It’s been the best Christmas I can remember. The food was amazing, and… and… the sweaters! I plan on wearing mine every time I’m cold, and… the company. I’ve really enjoyed every moment with all of you. And you made me feel so welcome…” he didn’t know how to say that her presence felt so natural to him.
The woman smiled, stepping closer to him to reach out and gently squeeze his shoulder.
“Thank you for—” The emotion formed a lump in his throat, but he wouldn’t leave without saying what had touched his heart the most. Viktor shifted his gaze to the blanket because he felt that if she looked at Ximena, he wouldn’t be able to finish the sentence. “For making me feel like… part of the family.”
“Oh, you’re already part of the family, mijo” She gave him that motherly smile that radiated warmth.
“Maybe…” he began, making eye contact with her again. “Could I hug you, maybe?” he whispered, as if that request might make her disappear, sounding like it was hard for him to articulate the words.
“Of course, dear!”
The woman opened her arms, and Viktor automatically sank into them. It was different from hugging Jayce, restorative in its own way. The Zaunite buried his face in Ximena’s shoulder, squeezing her perhaps a little too tightly against him.
“Thank you” he murmured against her sweater, his voice higher with emotion.
“You can ask me for a hug anytime you want” Her hand gently stroked his back, while the other returned the hug with the same intensity. “Then I’ll give you my number, so you can call me whenever you want. How does that sound?”
“Sounds great…”
She didn’t let go until Viktor loosened his arms first. When they separated, she affectionately stroked his cheek, appreciating how his eyes were a little teary.
“Thank you, really. You’re… you’re an amazing family. You, Jayce… everyone” he replied, his voice low from the emotion.
Ximena didn’t pull away completely. She stayed close, as he seemed comfortable this way.
“You’re lucky to be with Jayce… you know? And I don’t say that because he’s my son. Although sometimes he can be… a mess, he has such a big heart, he loves helping others. He’s a good guy. He’s thoughtful. He always respects those around him.”
Viktor nodded, lowering his gaze to where his hands rested on the knitted blanket. Of course he was lucky. Jayce Talis, out of everyone, had chosen him, despite… everything. He still couldn’t believe it, still trying to understand why Jayce wanted to be with him.
He tried not to think about how he didn’t feel worthy of it.
But Ximena wasn’t referring to that at all. On the contrary, it was her next words that really reached Viktor’s soul.
“But oh, Jayce is so lucky to have you…” Her gaze turned compassionate as she thought about her son. “That huge heart of his… When he started university and moved away from home, I was so scared that the wrong person would break it…” she paused for a moment, searching for the right words. “He’s trusting, he only sees the good in people, which makes it easy for others to take advantage of him.”
Viktor raised his eyebrows. He had never thought about that, but now certain things from their time together made sense in his mind, like that group activity that mysteriously ended up with Jayce doing it alone because apparently all of his colleagues were busy.
“But I know he’s safe with you” she continued, “because you’re so sweet, it’s clear you’re a good man, and I’m glad to see my son chose well in who he could trust and place his faith in” Ximena took his hand with affection. “You’re lucky to have each other, because people like you two are not easy to find.”
Viktor nodded, feeling a warm pressure building in his chest, making his eyes tingle. Ximena not only didn’t think Viktor owed anything to her son, but that Jayce was lucky to be with him. Of course, he would never use his boyfriend’s kindness for his own benefit.
“I promise I’ll do everything I can to make him happy” he whispered. Though his voice was low, the way he pronounced each syllable made it clear he was absolutely serious.
“I know, dear. You already do” she gave him a soft smile as she squeezed his shoulder again. A few seconds later, when the conversation clearly had ended, she asked “Would you like to see some family memories?”
“I’d love to.”
* * *
Jayce came downstairs, drying his hair with a towel, distracted. He was about to call them when he heard voices and laughter coming from the living room. He approached quietly, not wanting to interrupt the conversation. And the sight was worth it. Talis felt like his heart was going to explode.
On the sofa, he saw his two favorite people chatting happily. They were both sharing the knitted blanket his grandmother had made, and Ximena was showing Viktor some family photos. The Zaunite was holding the album, flipping through the pages slowly, listening to the stories she told him. He listened with the enthusiasm of a child, pointing out details in the pictures and smiling. A lot. Ximena had her arm around his shoulders. And Viktor looked so comfortable by her side…
The Zaunite journeyed through his boyfriend’s family history. He could see how much Jayce’s father resembled him: stocky, with those amber eyes, while he had also inherited his mother’s smile and strong hair. He could see the sled he had told him about, his first pet, some rocks and minerals from when he started collecting them, a picture of him dressed as a wizard, or the family photos they took every year for Christmas, all with the date written below.
“This one is from when Jayce found a little bird on the street. He brought it running home and put it in a shoebox, and days later, he released it because it had regained its strength. He cried a lot because he was going to miss it, but he knew it was the right thing to do.”
“Aw…” Viktor smiled. Of course Jayce would heal a little bird and get emotional about releasing it.
“Isn’t it just… so adorable, my little one…?”
Her little one. The Zaunite smiled.
They spoke of him with such tenderness that Jayce accidentally dropped the towel from his hands, making a soft noise that caused both of them to turn toward him.
“Hey…” he greeted shyly, blushing to his ears for being caught in the act. He just wanted to keep enjoying that scene: his boyfriend so happy with his beloved mother.
“Come, son, we’re looking at some photos.”
It wasn’t like the movies. There were no embarrassing photos, only beautiful memories captured on paper to be remembered forever. Viktor thought that he would have liked to have something like that about himself, to remember what his parents’ faces looked like, or see his own face when he was a child. He couldn’t change that, but maybe he could start something similar with Jayce, who sat down beside his mother.
“That was at the science fair at school!” he exclaimed, pointing to one where he was wearing a medal. He looked so proud.
“And this one from when you graduated” she pointed to another one where she and her son were together. Jayce was all dressed up and combed. “You looked so handsome…”
“I still do” he laughed, making Viktor shake his head. Then, Ximena turned to the next page, then the next, until reaching the last one before the blank section that would eventually be filled with more memories.
“And this is the most recent one, the updated family photo. And yours.”
Jayce looked at Viktor, who had his eyes fixed on the images, shining with an emotion he couldn’t contain. In one, the whole Talis family was together, along with Viktor, and in the other, they were alone in front of the tree, with Jayce showing that huge smile and Viktor with a smaller, shyer, but sincere one.
It was in his memory album. He was officially part of the family.
* * *
Ximena approached them as Jayce tenderly adjusted Viktor’s jacket. She was carrying two cloth bags —one for Jayce, one for Viktor— overflowing with disposable metal tupperware.
“Ma! Don’t you think you went a bit overboard? We look like street vendors” he laughed, loading the bag onto his suitcase. They had put Viktor’s potted plant in a box along with Jayce’s tulips to ensure no plant would be harmed on the trip.
“Not at all. You need to be well-fed, and what better than mom’s food?”
“Of course there’s nothing better” he responded, hugging her tightly. As they separated, she cupped her son’s cheeks and placed a kiss on his forehead.
“Have a safe trip, I’ll be here waiting for you the next time you can come by.”
Then, turning to Viktor, she hugged him while whispering:
“I’ve packed you an extra tupper of soup” she smiled, looking at the extra luggage bag resting on top of his suitcase.
“And what about meee?” Jayce whined comically.
“Don’t be dramatic, I put an extra steak for you” she laughed, hugging her son.
They were about to leave, but Viktor stopped. He seemed like he wanted to say something.
Jayce was aware that talking about his feelings wasn’t Viktor’s strong suit. But the way he looked at his mother already said a lot. He was about to ask if he needed anything when Viktor dropped his suitcase, letting it rest on the porch.
He walked over to Jayce’s mother and… hugged her. Tightly.
“Thank you so much for everything —he whispered, squeezing her between his arms.
He was generally distrustful of strangers. He had been that way with Jayce at first, though little by little he had started trusting him without even realizing it. The same had happened with his family. The grandmother had made him feel like a beloved grandson. He would wear the extravagant sweater she made whenever he wanted to remember her or relive something from that vacation.
And Ximena had treated him like her own son. She had kissed him every morning. She had hugged him and made him feel at home like never before.
“Oh, my boy…” she whispered as she wrapped him in a warm hug. Jayce would have gotten a little jealous if it weren’t for how sweet the scene was. That image would stay in his memory forever. “You have my number” she said against his hair, “you can call or text me anytime. And our home is now yours as well. When you come back, you’ll be welcomed.”
When you come back. That’s because she hoped Viktor would.
“Thank you” he whispered into her shoulder. “I will.”
“How do you have her number? I’m starting to think you prefer her” Jayce joked, giving his boyfriend a kiss on the cheek. Then, he gave his mother a final hug before grabbing the luggage and starting to walk to the station.
Jayce was smiling, juggling the box of plants he insisted on carrying, and the suitcase with the bag of food on top. Clearly, something had happened in their chat on the couch that he didn’t know about, but he was happy to know that Viktor had gotten along so well with his mom that she had even given him her number.
* * *
The return trip was peaceful. It was relaxing to watch the landscape pass by the window as if it were a movie. Occasionally, Jayce would comment on something or take Viktor’s hand. He would respond with a gentle squeeze or by caressing the back of Jayce’s hand with his thumb. Or both.
The gesture had already become natural for them. Jayce’s hand, always warmer than Viktor’s, enveloped it effortlessly, holding it gently. Sometimes, Viktor would rest his cheek on Jayce’s arm, lifting his gaze to see how Jayce smiled happily at the gesture.
The conversation was light, much more relaxed than on the way there, given that they had shed all the concern about pretending. Now, they just wanted to get home and curl up together after a long trip. At some point, Viktor mentioned that he was looking forward to placing the plant somewhere visible to receive sunlight, and Jayce said they should make room in the fridge and freezer to put all the food his mom had packed for them. He also showed him that he had kept the petal from one of the tulips in his phone case, to always remind him whenever he saw it. Viktor stretched out to give him a tender kiss on the cheek in response, and Jayce reciprocated, letting his fingers slide to the back of the Zaunite’s neck to keep him there while he turned to give him a kiss on the lips.
What mattered most was that they were happy, and they didn’t need words to understand that. They talked about the future, about how they wouldn’t hide their relationship, but neither would they overdo the public displays of affection. Viktor mentioned he wanted to show Jayce that place in Zaun where he kept his plants when he was a kid, and Jayce wanted to take him to his favorite café, one he always went to alone when he wanted to enjoy a quiet afternoon.
Eventually, since the trip was long, each of them focused on an activity: Viktor read a book, only letting go of his boyfriend’s hand to turn the page, while Jayce looked out the window, occasionally pointing something out to the other to see.
It was Viktor who fell asleep this time. At first, it would have seemed like he was still awake, since he remained elegant and upright, but his eyes were closed and he didn’t react when Jayce kissed his cheek. The athlete smiled. Only Viktor could look that good while sleeping. Carefully, he guided the genius’s head to his shoulder. In response, the Zaunite wrapped his arm around Jayce’s and sighed, relaxing against him.
* * *
“Home sweet home.” Jayce sighed as he pulled up the blinds.
It was a common expression, but this time it felt profound to Viktor, like a shift in how he felt the place.
The small dorm apartment smelled musty from being closed up for the weeks during the holidays. But over that stale air, the scent of the fabric softener Ximena used started to dominate, mixed with the scent of the Talis’ home that the couple had brought back on their clothes. The clothes they were wearing, and those peeking out of the open luggage on the beds.
Meanwhile, Jayce sat on his bed, watching Viktor’s hands as he carefully held the potted plant he had given him, resting it on his thighs. The ribbon hadn’t been taken off yet, it would probably stay there, adorning the pot.
“It’ll appreciate having been taken out from under my bed, although it spent a few days hidden in my mom’s room so it wouldn’t stay too long without light” he said, as Viktor approached where he was sitting.
“And this is a good spot” he replied, solemnly placing the pot. His hand brushed, perhaps on purpose, Jayce’s fingers. “It gets the perfect light next to the window.”
Before stepping back, he leaned in shyly to place a kiss on his partner’s cheek.
Jayce’s response? His face flushed a lovely shade of crimson at the unexpected gesture.
Viktor took the pot in his hands, and before turning back to the shelf, he gave him a soft smile, aware that his own cheeks had also flushed. He carefully placed it on the shelf as if it were a priceless laboratory instrument. Once he was sure it was in the perfect position, he returned to the bed where Jayce had laid down.
Still smiling, he placed his cane somewhere he could easily reach and crawled to where his partner was. He rubbed his nose against Jayce’s before letting himself fall on him like a kitten that had found a warm place to snuggle.
With him by his side, the once-too-small apartment now felt like their own sanctuary. A shared space that was just theirs.
Jayce wrapped him in an embrace, pulling him tightly against his chest. Oh, it felt so good being like this with Viktor… His chest rose and fell slowly, feeling the pleasant weight of his partner on his ribs.
“You’re crumpling my bed” he said just to tease him, trying not to give in to the anticipation of what their lives would be like now that they were together, and not just simple roommates. Jayce was kind, enthusiastic, sensitive, and sometimes too messy, but he couldn’t imagine anyone better to share his life with. His home was right there, in his arms. Being the source of his smiles and that adorable blush that appeared when he was unexpectedly affectionate.
“Well, today I plan to sleep here. I’m just slowly stealing your spot so you get used to it” he replied with a soft laugh. His hand gently caressed Viktor’s cheek, playing with a rebellious strand of hair before tucking it behind his ear. He kissed one of his moles with a mixture of gratitude and wonder, wondering how he could be so lucky to have such an amazing genius looking at him like he was the most precious treasure in the universe.
“Oh, I was counting on it. Even if you didn’t want to, you wouldn’t be able to get me off you, no matter how hard you tried” A joy-filled expression that couldn’t be contained appeared on his face as he said this. Then, he pointed toward the shelf and asked. “What do you think of here?”
“It’s perfect” he whispered against his temple before placing another kiss “Plus, it looks like it gets plenty of light.”
They both settled between the cushions, facing the window. Viktor smiled, snuggling in the arms of the man he loved so much. The sunset light poured through the window, filling the atmosphere with warmth. The air was filled with dust particles from the room’s reorganization. Now those little specks shone in the air like tiny fireflies.
Jayce slid his fingers through Viktor’s hair to reach his neck, then pulled him close. Viktor smiled against his lips. He closed his eyes to focus all his senses on the man who had completely stolen his heart. He sighed with satisfaction, savoring that unique taste on his tongue that only belonged to him, and how the scent of Jayce filled his lungs. It was so pleasant he could stay like this forever. His hand absent-mindedly caressed the other’s cheek, letting his fingertips feel the roughness of the stubble that was starting to grow.
Once they separated —slowly, as if their lips still wanted to stay together—, Viktor didn’t let him move too far away. With the same delicacy he had just used to caress him, he kept him close to press their foreheads together in that intimate gesture they had made their own.
“We need to call your mom…” he whispered a moment later, his voice a little hoarse. At that moment, Jayce’s hand, warm and huge, began to travel up and down his right leg. First down, then up, sometimes stopping and just resting with the palm extended against his thigh. Viktor couldn’t help but be deeply moved by this gesture. Also, Jayce’s warmth helped his muscles relax.
“True, we need to let her know we’ve arrived” he nodded. Fortunately, Viktor was always on top of things. The last thing they wanted was to make his mom worry.
“Do you mind if I make the call?” he asked, stretching his arm to reach his phone. The rest of his body stayed anchored in place.
“Of course” he smiled against his forehead. Then he planted a kiss there. "She’ll be so happy to hear from you.”
The Zaunite smiled, settling into his arms. He dialed the number and waited for her to pick up.
“Viktor, dear?” they heard on the other end, as if wanting to make sure it was really him since it was the first time she had received a call from him.
“It’s me” he replied. Then, he handed the phone to his boyfriend. “And Jayce is here with me.”
“Hi, Ma!” he exclaimed happily. His arms pulled Viktor closer, positioning him against his chest in the perfect spot for his leg.
“Just wanted to let you know we arrived safely. We’re at the apartment.”
“That’s great, guys! Make sure to rest after the long trip. And eat well! You’ve got plenty of tupperware” her voice sounded cheerful.
“Yes, we also put the food in the freezer and fridge” Talis added.
The Zaunite laughed and kept the conversation light with her. Once it was over, he hung up the phone and snuggled back into Jayce’s arms, completely relaxing. At that moment, he realized he had stopped being a wanderer, always drifting without direction, always getting up alone and moving forward. Now, he had arrived at a safe place, warm arms that welcomed him.
His home.
Their eyes met, finding in each other’s gaze an absolute trust and affection, somehow showing that their souls were beating in sync. They both pressed their foreheads together naturally, as if gravity itself was pulling them to stay that way. Like a seal of the affection they felt for each other.
Jayce looked at him with a calm smile, knowing that everything he had longed for was right there, beside him. In his arms. One of his hands had slipped under Viktor’s sweater and was caressing his back without making distinctions between scars or bones. His touch loved every vertebra, every inch of skin it could reach. The other hand remained gently massaging his partner’s leg. He felt deeply happy seeing how his boyfriend relaxed on him, with his eyelids closed and that soft sigh that escaped his lips expressing the pure happiness he felt.
They still had a lot to learn about each other, but they knew, with absolute certainty, that every step on the journey would be taken together. Because above all, nothing —no force or universe— could ever tear them apart.