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It was exceedingly rare for Jayce to be in the lab earlier than Viktor. It wasn't because Jayce was lazy or not a morning person; quite the opposite, in fact. He was usually bubbly and full of energy at a reasonable hour, and even at unreasonable ones.
Why Viktor was always there before him was simply that Viktor was not a morning person and therefore set multiple alarms to wake himself up early. It seemed to work. It gave him enough time to lounge in bed for several minutes, ignoring the other alarms as they attempted — and usually failed — to rouse him; allowed him to dress properly, get his sugar-loaded tea, and be conscious enough before he started on his work for the day.
It usually meant that Viktor was irritated at 6:30am, alone in the lab, bleary-eyed as he stared at his calculations, his tea often going cold as he forgets it's there. Jayce had gotten used to the cold, dead stares he'd receive from him when he'd bust into the lab all smiles and loud greetings. He knew. He knew that Viktor was not a morning person, but that didn't stop Jayce from being a literal ray of sunshine with his ridiculous blinding smile. He'd even make Viktor another cup of tea when he complained that his had gone cold.
That morning, perhaps only by the grace of sheer luck, Jayce managed to beat Viktor to the lab. He sat anxious in his chair, one ankle over his knee, his other foot tapped repeatedly on the stone floor. On his desk, he had his notebooks and papers scattered around in the organized chaos that his workspace usually was, and next to his hand that twirled his pencil over and over was his morning coffee — black with no sugar or milk.
Jayce glanced along the curved wall of the lab over to Viktor's space. It was clean, the man left practically no identifier that it was his space other than it being tidy. Far different from Jayce's own which was covered in blueprints, small gadgets, and pencil shavings.
However, there was one massive difference about Viktor's desk today. Placed atop it there was a bouquet of mix-matched flowers that made a clash of color, and tucked between some of them was a pink card with hearts all over it. The bouquet itself had a curvy vase with red and pink ribbons tied in a nice bow around the neck. Beside it, there was a red rectangular box of chocolates, wrapped in white ribbon, from a local confectionery shop.
All of which Jayce had picked up bright and early before Viktor got to the lab. Now he had an overwhelming sense of dread, anxiety, and embarrassment as he looked at the ridiculously bright pink and red gift awaiting his partner; it was incredibly obvious that it was for this day to celebrate love. He hadn't thought the decision through and got carried away — as he usually did — with the flowers and candy as he picked them out, imagining how excited Viktor might be when he finds it. Now he had to lie in the humiliating bed that he'd made.
After a moment he slumped onto his desk, face pressed against the cold stone texture that felt rather nice against his warm cheeks.
He felt like a fool.
The door to the lab opened and startled Jayce, the pencil in his hand clattered across the desk as his arm jerked. He quickly turned in his chair to see Viktor just as he stepped into the lab. He looked as sleepy as ever, a steaming cup of likely sugary milk tea in one hand, his crutch tucked under his arm. The metallic clank of his crutch echoed throughout the room and rang loudly in Jayce's ears as if it was the only sound he could hear.
"H-Hey, V. Mornin'," Jayce greeted. He tried to sound natural and nonchalant but his throat felt tight and his heart raced with anxious anticipation. He almost felt lightheaded even.
"Good morning," Viktor replied with his usual tone, giving a glance to Jayce, squinting slightly as it was rare for Jayce to be so deep in his work already. As he entered further, the sight of his workspace was very obvious. It was hard to miss, after all. It was the only bright color in the lab other than when the gemstones were out.
Jayce pretended to be busy with his work as Viktor stepped to his desk. Once he'd stepped in front of the bouquet, Viktor's eyes scanned over the petals. White, burgundy, purple, and pale blue flowers all of which were beautifully arranged, a card tucked between them.
"What is this?" Viktor called out to the only other person in the room, his eyes blinking, then opening on Jayce a few paces to the right.
"Oh that," Jayce tried to sound aloof. "It was here when I got in. Looks like you have a secret admirer." Jayce laughed in possibly the most awkward, unnatural way that he could; it sounded forced.
"I see," was all Viktor said as he rubbed one of the flower petals between two fingers, his golden eyes narrow on it. It was soft and delicate against his touch and felt strangely cool and pleasant. It was then that he turned his focus to the card, plucked it from its place between the flowers, then looked over it. It was gaudy, bright red and pink, covered in hearts. And glitter.
God, he hated glitter. The worse invention he could possibly think of.
He opened the card. Inside there was a short, handwritten note.
'Viktor. I don't know what kind of flowers you like, so I got you several types in different colors.'
Viktor eyed the flowers and noticed that the colors matched his aesthetic, then chortled to himself. He wasn't much of a flower person, but he had to admit that the smell was pleasant. The card continued into some soft praise about his work ethic, his drive, and how he always stands up for what he believes in.
It ended with a, 'Thanks for being great,' and a postscript that said, 'I know you like white chocolate because it's so sweet. Don't eat it all at once!'
Viktor sighed.
'Doesn't he know I can recognize his handwriting...?' he wondered and placed the card back into its little nest between the flowers. He pulled out his chair, sat down. As he opened his notebook, his eyes glanced at the flowers again and a sense of endearment welled in his chest.
"So... Who's it from?" Jayce questioned from the other side of the room. His hand was moving with his pencil on paper, but he wasn't writing anything, just scribbling on the page to seem like he was. His knee bounced anxiously beneath his desk, causing a slight shake to his body.
Viktor opened his mouth and almost — almost — blurted out that he knew it was from Jayce, but he knew how Jayce was and how weird he could get. Besides, it'd be embarrassing to call him out right now after he'd made a big show about how he definitely didn't know who bought the gift. Viktor decided to save the man the crushing weight of humiliation. At least, for now.
"The card wasn't signed," he replied. "Rather messy penmanship, though," he commented with a snide little grin at his lips. He couldn't help it, he had to bruise Jayce's ego just a little.
Jayce felt like he'd been shot.
/
After a few minutes to allow Viktor to enjoy his tea, and moreso for Jayce to calm down and stop panicking over the gift he'd gotten Viktor and to recover from the handwriting joke, Jayce eventually went over to the other with a small chest in his hands. He placed it beside Viktor, who then looked up to him.
"Ready to test the gemstone again?" Jayce asked and Viktor leaned back in his chair, humming as he looked at the chest. "Think it'll work this time without cracking?"
Viktor gave a noncommittal rock of his head, indicating his healthy skepticism.
"We've reviewed the calculations and made adjustments to the shell, ran multiple tests. It should be completely fortified now, there's only one true way to test it now," Viktor replied and took a sip of his tea. "Let's give it a shot."
Jayce smiled and nodded, though a sense of anxiety rose in him. He was always worried that testing the fortification would result in more explosions, but luckily they managed to keep the destruction minimal over the years, even if they had a few close calls.
As Jayce gathered the gem and brought it to the anvil in the center of the lab, Viktor approached with a small hammer.
"What's the hammer for?" Jayce questioned as he positioned the gemstone. Viktor held it up and looked to Jayce, his brows furrowed a bit in confusion.
"To hit it?" he answered as if it was the most obvious conclusion.
"Oh," Jayce made the sound instinctually, a little squeaky as his throat tensed, mouth hanging in that dismayed expression. "Well uh, it's a good thing that I'm great at hammering, so," he spoke awkwardly with a cringe. Viktor's thousand-yard stare followed by a slow blink made Jayce regret his choice of words. Was it hot in here? He felt like his shirt was a little too tight around his throat then, especially with Viktor's expressive eyes on him.
Pushing past the awkward moment, Jayce took the hammer from Viktor and began the experiment. At first, Jayce knelt beside the anvil and gave very gentle taps to the top of the gemstone; it would flicker and hum, then glow brighter at slightly harder taps. Jayce was being cautious — perhaps too cautious.
Viktor's patience was wearing thin. After nearly 10 minutes of Jayce tapping the gemstone far too gently, Viktor sighed, nearly groaning as he stepped forward. They weren't going to get anywhere without taking a few risks.
"Harder," Viktor commanded.
"Excuse me?" Jayce squeaked and turned his head up to Viktor next to him, eyes wide as if he'd misheard him. Viktor was standing with his arms crossed, a frown and soft furrow of his brow.
"Harder, Jayce!" he reiterated fervently. "I thought you said you were good at the hammering thing?" he challenged with a gesticulation of his hand. "We need to know if the gemstone is resistant to heavy impacts if we ever hope to utilize them, you're being too careful," he explained in a huff as he stepped closer, then swiped the hammer from Jayce.
"Whoa whoa! Viktor, w-wait— Hold on!" was all Jayce got out before Viktor used all the strength in his arm to bring the head of the hammer down onto the gemstone.
There was a burst of light as Jayce shielded his eyes, the sound of magic warped the air on impact, then faint shimmering.
"Jayce, look..." Viktor breathed out in awe.
Jayce opened his eyes and saw Viktor standing beside him, eyes wide as all around him were hundreds — thousands — of small glimmering blue fractals, all that faded off like fireworks after mere seconds. The gemstone was completely intact.
"It worked..." Jayce muttered as he stood up from his kneeled position. The anxiety gave way to the euphoria in his chest and he began to chuckle. It was soft at first purely because of the uncertainty, but then grew louder until a full laugh erupted, relieved from what could have been a near-death experience for both of them. "It worked! We're not dead! Viktor!" he exclaimed, clasping both of Viktor's shoulders from behind and shaking him slightly in his elation.
Viktor chuckled, smiling at how Jayce touched him so familiarly. He picked up the gemstone and rotated his hand at the wrist.
"I think it's time we show the council what we have been working on, hm?" he suggested, eyes snapping to Jayce then.
"Yes, of course!" Jayce wholeheartedly agreed. "Do you think they'll be impressed?"
Vitor chortled.
"Considering they used to explode when lightly tapped? Yes, I think they'll be very impressed. However, we should test it some more." Viktor placed the gem back on the anvil and raised the hammer to Jayce. "Your turn to show off those 'hammering skills' of yours," he teased lightly.
Jayce flushed as he laughed and took the hammer from the other. He would never tire of that passionate gleam in Viktor's eye, and his awkward, stilted, and dry sense of humor. The man truly put his body and soul into his work and was willing to risk everything for progress — to make the world a better place. And he was cute while doing it, which sometimes impeded Jayce's work.
/
After several hours the two had tested the gemstone countless times. Jayce had begun to beat the absolute shit out of the gemstone to push the limits of it, but nary a scratch or dent ever appeared. Viktor took extensive notes on how the gem reacted, wearing goggles to protect from the intense flash of light each impact would cause so he could get more accurate data on it. Eventually, the two went to their desks to continue their individual work on the same project.
When the five-o-clock hour rang across the clocktowers across the city. Viktor glanced outside, the sky was darkening already and there was a light flurry of snow falling. His eyes then went back to the flowers on his desk.
If he wanted to do this, he had to leave soon.
"I'm...heading out early today," Viktor stated as he returned one of the gemstones to its case. Jayce looked at him briefly.
"Huh, that's unlike you. Got a hot date or something?" he teased with a smug grin, screwing a screw into some equipment.
"I have a prior engagement," Viktor replied with an amused huff. If only Jayce knew.
Jayce immediately froze. His mind filled with so many thoughts and questions and his body felt like it was about to boil. Viktor had something else to do? Of course, he was allowed to, Jayce would never say otherwise, but it was so uncharacteristic of Viktor to leave early; it had been years since they first met and Jayce couldn't remember a single time that Viktor left the lab before he did.
"Is it, um... A, uh... A date?" he asked for clarification, his throat dry but he still had to swallow.
"Hm..." he pondered briefly. "Yes, a date. Good evening, Jayce."
And then Viktor was gone.
The lab felt a little less warm, a little darker. Jayce's shoulders slumped, the screwdriver fell through his fingers, clanked on the table, and he found his head in his hands. There was a twist of pain in his stomach that made him feel sick, his chest felt tight, and his cheeks were hot. Viktor didn't owe him anything, least of all an explanation of a date he had. But...they were friends, right? He could have told him. Did Viktor not trust him enough to share personal things like that?
After a few minutes of self-pity, Jayce looked to Viktor's desk. The flowers were still there but moved up a little so Viktor could work easier throughout the day. That was a small comfort, at least, that Viktor didn't mind them being nearby. Jayce sighed and shook his head, trying to focus on his work again.
A gemstone was sitting on a little platform in front of him, glowing and illuminating his face with its pale blue light. A memory that he hadn't thought about in a while suddenly made itself known — the first time they stabilized it a few years ago. He still couldn't believe that Viktor, the assistant to the dean of the academy of all people, would have such a chaotic side and suggest that they break into Heimerdinger's lab. It made Jayce laugh, smiling at the fond memory.
It truly was a magical night, in more ways than one.
/
The thin layer of snow crunched under Viktor's step, light flakes fell and melted on his hair and coat, but the fresh, crisp air was pleasant and welcome after a long day in the lab. Viktor made his way down through the busy early evening streets of Piltover. He'd bundled up in his peacoat and long scarf to protect his mouth and nose from the cold biting air, and over his shoulder there was a bag, the flap open to allow him access, and he currently had his hand inside of it.
Nestled inside the bag there was a familiar red box of chocolates. Using his slender middle finger and his thumb, he delicately fished around in the box until he could grip a piece of chocolate that quickly began to soften on contact with his warm skin. With a slow movement as to not drop it, he pulled it out and lifted it in front of himself. It was a small square of white chocolate, elegantly stamped with the logo of a well-known confectionery shop in Piltover. Carefully, he placed the chocolate on his slightly protruded tongue, then pulled the candy into his mouth. Immediately it began to melt across his tongue and felt creamy to his senses. It tasted extremely sweet; the saccharine flavor made his cheeks muscles tense but it also made him smile.
Jayce really knew him well. Every piece of chocolate was white, some filled with different kinds of fillers from nougat to caramel, to simply solid chocolate. Viktor had already eaten nearly half the box, snacking on them as he followed his usual route.
Once the chocolate in his mouth was gone, he lifted his hand and gently suckled at his fingers to clean the residue of melted chocolate from his skin. Then, he reached in for another piece.
The sky grew darker and the air colder as he crossed the bridge and headed down into the familiar lanes of the Undercity. He knew the streets well and knew how to traverse them with little to no effort, and knew how to stay out inconspicuous enough to not draw unwanted attention.
Down a small alley that was nearly impossible to find unless you knew about it, there was a shop. It had some wear and tear, but the sign that hung from a pole just above the door was familiar — a simple carving of a big spiral lollipop.
When he pushed the door open, a small bell dinged above him. He smiled as he glanced up at it — he remembered when he used to poke and swipe at it when he was younger; it was dull now, the shine of its gold faded with the years.
"Welcome, welcome! I'll be just a moment!" a loud but soft voice called from the back room. It was also familiar. Viktor stood in the middle of the open shop and looked around. The sweet scent of candy entered his nose and triggered a wave of nostalgia filled his chest. Most things were exactly how he remembered, the different displays, the fading wallpaper, and of course, the owner.
A woman emerged from the back and entered through a set of blue red velvet curtains. She was an older woman with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, but she had a soft, warm face that was comforting — matronly.
"Oh my— Is that... It is! Oh if it isn't Little Viktor!" the woman breathed out with recognition and excitement as she rushed out to get a better look at the young man in front of her. "Although, not so little anymore. Look how you've grown!" she commented and made her way around the desk.
"Ms. Clarabell," Viktor gave a soft head bow, a mildly awkward smile on his lips.
"Oh please, don't be so formal," she scolded gently as she approached.
Viktor gave her an apologetic look, his brows upturned slightly.
"I haven't seen you in years. You've gotten so tall and handsome," she complimented. Viktor could tell that she was resisting the urge to pinch his cheeks like she used to and he was grateful for that. "I remember it like it was yesterday, you used to come in here with your parents to get sweets. So what brings you back here, dearie?"
"Ah, I'm..." Viktor stammered. His golden eyes slid to the corners of his eyes, appearing sheepish. "I'm here to, um— To buy a gift."
"A gift?" Ms. Clarabell parroted with an intrigued lilt as she leaned back on her heel, scanning the man's shy body language as she twirled a lock of her curly hair. "On Lover's Day? Whoever for?" her tone was implicative, and so was the eyebrow that cocked and wiggled at him.
Viktor's cheeks went warm.
"A friend," he answered vaguely.
"Just a friend?" Ms. Clarabell, pressed him a little, leaning in as she watched the red on his cheek glow brighter. "Oh sweetie, I'm just teasing. Ah, to be young and in love~" she spoke in a melodramatic, envious tone as she moved back around the counter, extending her arms with an equally theatrical flare.
Viktor sighed out a hot breath, closing his eyes as he gathered his strength and thoughts. He stepped up to one of the displays along the wall. It was filled with dozens of donuts, then in the display next to it there were lines of brightly decorated cakes, and next to that were cookies.
"So what are you looking for, hm? Something sweet, savory?" Ms. Clarabell asked, sitting at her register and watching Viktor look over the many snacks on display.
"Hm... He doesn't like sweet things very much..." Viktor muttered mostly to himself a finger at his chin as he thought. Ms. Clarabell perked up now that she finally got some information about Viktor's object of affection.
"Doesn't have a sweet tooth, this mystery man of yours?" she cooed and leaned onto the counter. Viktor realized he'd let some details slip and he turned his back to her.
"No... Coffee black, kind of person. Thinks I take my tea too sweet," Viktor commented.
"You always did like your sweets," Ms. Clarabell chuckled and Viktor smiled softly. It was oddly nice to be so remembered by this woman; he spent so many days in this shop sometimes just walking through the store, watching the workers make chocolate in the back because Ms. Clarabell would let him.
An idea then popped into Viktor's head.
"Actually, do you...have any coffee fudge?" he inquired, turning back to the other with a hopeful expression. Ms. Clarabell perked up from her position at the register.
"There should be a fresh batch done soon, if you don't mind waiting for a bit?" she offered with a soft smile.
Viktor returned the smile.
"I would like that very much."
/
It had been roughly 2 hours since Viktor left the lab. The dark winter clouds had gotten darker and the lights of Piltover were flickering on brighter. Viktor returned to the academy just as most everyone else was finishing up for the evening, a few giving him nods of recognition and some curious look as to why Viktor wasn't still in the lab.
"Jayce?" Viktor called upon returning to the lab, but there was no answer.
"You're looking for Jayce?" one of the assistants pipped up. Viktor looked at them. "He left about 15 minutes ago. Strange, I thought he went to find you. He seemed a bit...odd."
"Odd? How so?" Viktor questioned.
"I don't know... He just seemed glum, melancholy," they shrugged.
Viktor worried his lip and sighed. He thanked the assistant and then headed back into the hall.
Jayce was fairly easy to read and Viktor had an idea of what was wrong but he didn't think the man would be that bothered by a silly joke. Was it really what was causing him to mope? Viktor joking about having a date? God Jayce was ridiculous, Viktor never even alluded to being interested in anyone. Except for Jayce, that is, but he guessed that Jayce didn't realize that.
In reality, Jayce thought it was just wishful thinking that Viktor would be interested in him.
/
Viktor climbed higher in the academy. There was a spot that Jayce frequented when he was overwhelmed or felt hopeless; Viktor would often find him there and sit with him. Viktor stepped through a door that was partially ajar and stepped out onto one of the many rooftops of the academy. Due to the season and time of day, it was rather chilly being so high up.
As he thought, Jayce was sitting near the edge, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, gazing out over the city in that dramatic, moody way he was so good at. Viktor approached, his presence revealed by the clanking of his crutch and leg brace.
"I thought I might find you here," Viktor started as he saddled up beside Jayce, looking over Piltover as well, then down to the other man. Jayce gave him a brief look, surprised at first to see him, but then went right back to moping.
"What are you doing here? I thought you had a date?" Jayce questioned with disdain apparent in his voice.
With a dramatic eye roll and audible sigh, Viktor bonked Jayce in the back of his head with a small box.
"Hey! What the hell, V!?" Jayce questioned, rubbing his head. It was then that he realized that Viktor was holding the box out for him to take, those golden eyes sincere as they stared at him. Jayce blinked a few times.
"What is this?" Jayce asked as he took the box with one hand. It was a simple white box, a dark blue ribbon tied around it, but nothing too fancy or elegant, nor any discerning markings or logos. As he looked over the box curiously, Viktor lowered himself using his crutch and sat beside him, leaning his arms across the handle part way up the pole.
"Just open it," Viktor commanded, though his tone was soft, even if demanding.
Jayce pursed his lips indignantly but did as he was told. He pulled on the ribbon to loosen it, then placed it in his pocket so it wouldn't fly away on the wind, then opened the lid of the box. Inside there was a rectangular piece of candy about the length of his hand from wrist to fingertip, brown in color, and instantly he was hit with a whiff of coffee scent.
"It's fudge," Viktor chimed in. "Coffee fudge, to be exact."
"I don't recognize the packaging..."
"A Piltie wouldn't. It's from the Undercity," Viktor told him with a sly grin tugging at his lips. He pointed with the end of his crutch out over the city where the bright golds and whites became dark and muted across the bridge.
Jayce perked up and looked at Viktor.
"Wait... Is that where you went today? You went down there?" he asked.
"Don't sound so shocked. I'm from there, remember?" Viktor cocked a brow at him. Jayce chuckled.
"Yeah, I remember. So... It's Undercity candy, then?" he inquired almost skeptically. Viktor hummed in affirmation.
"There is a candy shop my parents used to take me to as a child," he began, settling forward, using his crutch as a rest. "My father would put me on his shoulders and my mother would let me pick a handful of candy, whatever I wanted," Viktor told, his lips in a perpetual, contented smile as he recalled the memory.
As he spoke, his words fade out and Jayce was completely enthralled by him. From the moment he started to speak, Jayce watched him and was invested in this small snippet of his partner's childhood. Even though he'd missed some parts of the story as he gazed at him, he felt...happy. The lights of the academy cast a soft glow over Viktor's pale skin and made his eyes sparkle a brighter gold than usual. The story was sweet, but the vision of Viktor before him was sweeter and more beautiful than anything he'd ever seen before and made Jayce's heart race in his chest.
He wanted to kiss him.
"Anyway. Best candy in the city," Viktor finished and gave a side-eye to Jayce, who he noticed was staring at him in awe. Jayce laughed again.
"You'll have to take me some time," he said and Viktor watched him curiously before smiling softly.
"I suppose I do," he agreed. "Besides, it is much better than the overpriced chocolate you got me," he jabbed playfully.
Jayce felt his heart skip a beat, and then another.
"W-Wait..." he stammered and lifted a hand almost defensively in front of himself. "You knew? That it was from me?"
Viktor's eyes softened into a look of endeared pity. It was cute how Jayce thought he'd been so clever only to have been found out immediately.
"You have very distinct handwriting, Jayce," he pointed out. "Have you forgotten who proofreads your notes so you don't overclock any of our equipment?"
"Hey... That happened once," Jayce defended himself weakly. He felt quite attacked from many angles now, but the smile on Viktor's lips was pleasant to see.
"Because I check your notes now," Viktor added teasingly. Jayce groaned in shame and buried his face into his hands, his cheeks red and hot, even his ears were burning.
"This is so embarrassing. I really thought— I didn't— Ah, dammit..." he stammered, accepted defeat, and then chortled at himself, looking up to the pale blue sky. "I guess you're right. It was pretty obvious, huh?"
"Mm. Exceedingly obvious," Viktor poked.
"Ow. Give me a break here..."
Viktor went quiet then, his lips parted slightly as he breathed out, then inhaled. His heart rate began to increase as he contemplated his words.
"You...could have told me that it was from you," he spoke softly, his head dipping toward Jayce just a little then, his eyes hooded.
"Heh, then it wouldn't be a secret admirer, would it?" Jayce retorted and scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Why does it have to be secret?" Viktor asked sincerely.
Jayce froze completely still. Viktor's words rang in his head, repeating and repeating; the math part of his brain tried to figure out the meaning and solution. As he realized that Viktor was saying he didn't have to keep his feelings secret, he looked to his partner, who had been staring at him with those beautiful golden eyes of his, demanding his attention and answer. Possibly even demanding other things as well.
"God, V... Don't look at me like that, it makes me all..." Jayce muttered, covering his reddened face with one hand. Viktor could burn a hole through the back of his skull with that gaze of his and the man damn well knew it.
"Serves you right for writing such a sappy card," Viktor teased. Jayce chortled in his embarrassment, but at least Viktor didn't think it was weird.
"You don't really think my handwriting is messy, do you?" Jayce asked with a dejected whine. Viktor cocked a brow at him.
"No. Your penmanship is actually rather nice," he replied. Jayce seemed to accept that answer and smiled happily to himself; he turned his face as if that stopped Viktor from seeing it.
The two shared silence for a minute or two, appreciating the city before them.
"Thank you. For the chocolate, and the note," Viktor said.
Jayce could hear a bit of the shyness in Viktor's voice and it made him smile. He wasn't, however, expecting to then feel Viktor's pinky finger prod at his hand. Looking down, he saw Viktor's hand beside his on the rooftop, his pinky outstretched and touching the edge of his hand. Viktor was reaching out to him, even if it was in a small way, it meant a lot. With a smile, Jayce shimmied his hand over and then linked his pinky with Viktor's. The action made Viktor purse his lips, the warmth from the small touch made his heart race.
"I uh... I meant it, y'know? All of it. You really are amazing," Jayce admitted genuinely and rubbed at his neck, looking away from the other in his own bit of bashfulness.
The silence once again made Jayce feel like he'd said something strange, but then he felt a soft thud on his arm. Viktor had bumped his forehead to Jayce's arm; he felt surprised and shy from Jayce's words and didn't know how to properly show affection.
Jayce didn't say anything about it; he figured Viktor was shy about it and in all honesty, so was he. He did, however, want to make a bolder statement. Carefully, he shifted his hand and locked his with Viktor's, their fingers intertwining. The warmth of Jayce's palm washed over Viktor's and soothed his skin.
"Your hand is really cold," Jayce commented and lifted Viktor's hand to his lips, giving his fingers a few soft kisses. The expression on Viktor's face was wide and curious, watching, cheeks red from blood flow and the cold.
"You should warm me up, then," Viktor replied in a matter-of-fact mumble, which caught Jayce off guard.
Was...Viktor flirting with him? His words almost had an air of seduction to them. That thought made Jayce extremely giddy and a bit nervous even.
Deciding to make another move, Jayce looped his arm around Viktor's waist and pulled him closer. Viktor was stiff at first, but he melted into it as it felt similar to all the other times Jayce hugged him, except Jayce's fingers that lightly gripped at his hip were much more prominent in his senses than it had ever been before, and it gave him an odd but pleasant tingle at the base of his spine.
"You know this means I'm getting you more gifts now," Jayce warned playfully. Viktor chuckled in disbelief although he knew Jayce was completely serious.
"That's fine with me," Viktor said and leaned into Jayce's body more. "Just...next time, pick a card without glitter, please," Viktor pleaded.
Jayce chuckled and rested his head on top of Viktor's, both watching in contentment out over the city.
"You got it."