Chapter Text
Chapter 1
The moment he felt cold, soft lips against his forehead was the moment he realized how much he craved physical touch. Whatever he had in his life now was more than enough but this was the moment he realized he wanted more. Other boys around him had started being interested in girls around the age of 16 but he never dared to. Everyone back home was repulsed by the underdeveloped cripple, why would he scare the girls further. This feeling of some unexplainable force making his heart beat like it's about to jump out of his chest was familiar to him in theory. But now it was actually happening to him.
"Vik, you're burning up," Y/N concluded as she pulled away, still way closer than would be deemed appropriate in a professional setting. Not like he minded.
Most likely the fact that Viktor, as it turns out, had a fever made him feel in a way he would never allow himself if not for the fog in his mind.
But for now, all he cared about was the woman next to him and her soft skin. She was close enough for him to smell her scent - it was a mix of the smell of powder and sweet sweat. In any other scenario, he wouldn't be turned on by sweat but now it was like some animalistic side had awoken in him whose sole instinct and purpose were to bury his nose in Y/N’s hair. He fought this sensibly awful sensation but still couldn't help to breathe in each time she leaned closer.
It was his body trying to fight off the creeping illness, he told himself.
He could feel the world around him become blurry. The whole world but Y/N. At that moment she looked like an angel straight from the heavens in this cold, cruel world. At this moment he felt more loved than he ever had been.
Of course, it wasn't anything but his delusions, Viktor told himself. But still, in the situation he was in, he allowed himself to savor the feeling.
He was in no condition to protest, after all.
"Please sit down, rest a bit, " a voice like a melody to his ears indulged him even further. Viktor was barely able to make out the individual words, being too preoccupied with trying to stay awake, but the sound of the voice felt soothing nonetheless, "I'll walk you home. You shouldn't stay here"
He'd love that.
No, there's no way.
"Ah," Viktor pushed out a chuckle, he couldn't possibly allow his feelings to get in the way of this woman's life and plans. Y/N always appeared to be busy around the university, volunteering and never refusing some dull-witted student help, "please don't worry about me, Y/N. I simply must have once again stayed awake for too long. I'll sleep in the dormitory for a few hours and be back on my feet in no time."
Were those tears forming in YN's E/C orbs?
"NO," the woman now seemed genuinely upset, "Stop this. I understand that you don't want me around but please let me walk you home. Please go home Viktor."
Y/N's hands were shaking.
The room fell silent.
After a minute of tranquility, Y/N finally spoke up, "I know I've overstepped some boundaries. I'm sorry. I just really care for you and can't stand seeing you like this and-"
The scientist needed a minute to process Y/N's words. As he finally realized what did she mean, he immediately interrupted the woman in a calm voice, "I enjoy having you around. Probably way more than I should, Y/N. You have not overstepped anything."
"No." , now was YN's turn to interrupt. This was uncharacteristic for her, thought Viktor.
"You don't understand me, Viktor."
She took a step back and only now did the man realize how small the gap between them had been all this time.
"I love you Viktor."
Not in a million years had he imagined hearing those words referring to him. At this point, the adrenaline rush pulsing through his veins was the only thing keeping him from falling unconscious on the spot.
Of course, he had feelings for Y/N. But he hadn't even stopped for a second to think that something could actually happen. Viktor wasn't a stupid man, he was a scientist after all. But Y/N falling for him was just impossible. Everyone liked Y/N. Most students, including Jayce, had a crush on the woman. She was beauty, grace and intelligence personified.
And should have nothing to do with a cripple from nowhere such as himself.
It only now hit Viktor how long he must have stood in silence, trying to contemplate what Y/N had just said, leaving her words hanging in the air. Only now he noticed the sorrow in her eyes, it was heartbreaking to see her like this. Especially if Viktor knew it was his fault.
Love was a strong word.
But of course, he loved her too.
"YN, I…"
Before Viktor got to finish, he felt his vision slowly drifting away from him, the room getting smaller and smaller, disappearing in a flood of darkness. Upon realizing what was happening, he immediately tried to reach for the table to support himself on but his hand was numb, not responding to his brain’s impulses.
A piercing, anguished scream was the last thing the scientist heard before his consciousness drifted away.