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“Seems like a good time to go outside.” You commented, passing by the scientist-engineer as you took note of the changes in the bulb powered by his invention. For whatever reason, it’s light cycled through a variation of colors. It switched anytime Viktor added anything– and he was adding everything in it.
He seemed aghast at the statement. Maybe confused. “Go where, exactly?” His accent was thick, hands working on what was once home to the Hexcore. It was being repurposed to become a source of electricity with Hextech gemstones at the forefront. Busy hands and busy eyes glued to the project, turning his head just enough to the left to show he’d been listening to you. The light turned to a cool shade of violet, before Viktor hurriedly clicked a switch to shut it off.
You saw him stare at a loose nut, tilting his head slightly to the right. You took to the floor, finding a nut wrench that had somehow landed on it. Picking it up, Viktor’s head snapped to you, yelping ‘sorry’ under his breath. “Food. We haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
He brushed his fingertips against your palm grabbing the tool. A thank you left his lips, ever so gentle. He wasn’t a physical person. Compared to Jayce– not by a long shot. Jayce would lean on your shoulder during group conversations or give you a big hug when you seemed down. Viktor, however. When you started, Viktor wouldn’t do as little as look you in the eye. Knowing he’s comfortable enough to brush fingers with you was a wonderful boost to your quality of life. “We could always order. No need to go outside in blazing heat.”
You glanced at the clock, having felt an unmistakeable chill from the cracks of the windows; 4:22pm. “And what… what time would you say that ‘heat’ would end?”
At this point, Viktor realized something was off about the muted yellow spilling from the outside. “What? It’s not that–” he checked the time himself, looked out the windows, removed his safety goggles, then looked out the windows again, squinting. “–there goes lunch.”
He’d shown his playful side before, but the first few months with him really had been rough. Seeing it as a natural state for him around you recently made you a lot happier that it should’ve. ‘Viktor, huh?’ Jayce would tease, seeing you smile from whatever quick remark the inventor spat. “I know a fast food place not too far from here, if you fancy.”
“Eeh, I like it here. And I’d appreciate less moving from place to place.” The kzzt and krck’s of welding material buzzed in your ear.
Understandable, you figured. He had more than enough reason not to want to walk more than necessary. Plus, anything to avoid physical activity. “What do you want for lunch, anyway? Or dinner. Whatever.”
“A pizza, please. And thank you.” He paused, delicately placing a thin screw in place.
“Flavor?”
Sighing, he completely removed the goggles from his person. Done for the day? You didn’t think so, or else he would’ve left. “As long as it has pineapple.”
The pizza was divine. Mushrooms, greens, pineapple (you and Viktor had a talk about that one), and an assortment of meat on top of cheese, it was the best money could buy in Piltover. As far as you were aware, anyway. You sat with Viktor on the counter, only some feet away from his contraption. “Jayce doesn’t come in here much.”
“He’s a councilor. Improving lives on the fronts of science and socio-politics is plenty for one man.”
“Hey, you do a lot for science in this City of Progress.” You shared, mimicking Councilor Medarda.
Viktor chuckled. “It’s progressed, for sure. Other nations called this place the City of Science, City of the Future, City of Progress. But ‘City of Progress’ as a title is pressuring, to say the least. Even…” he motioned with the cut of pizza, a soured expression on his face as he swayed it side to side, “…what’s the best word for it? Ah–”
“Cringe.”
“–pretentious.”
“Pretentious, that’s good too.” You had opened the windows earlier to let slivers of the afternoon air through. It contrasted well to the warmth of the pizza and the smile of the company. A soft glow crowned 3/4s of Viktor’s frame, making him seem near angelic as chortled at your comment.
“Yes, yes, yes. I’m all for sharing your achievements, but…” He sighed, taking a bite of his meal. “Imagine if I’d called myself the ‘Genius of Hextech’.”
“Or if people called Jayce the Man of Progress,” you jabbed, taking a sip of softdrink.
“I’d say there’s a difference, actually. I gave him that title. Don’t apologize, I know how cringe it sounds. It had a– a ring to it.”
You shrugged. “It still does.”
“I did not think he was serious about using it officially.”
“It’s the tagline on all his merch.”
“Ah. Well, it is merchandise, isn’t it?” He followed up with a sound close to disgust, but not quite.
“He is kind of a brand at this point.”
There was an incessant tapping on the floor. A monotonous ring to avoid whatever blip of silence might come up. You couldn’t help it– it’s been a while since you two had a conversation like this. And he seemed relaxed around you. The first time ine a long time. “And why shouldn’t he? Good mind. Good heart. Good face. He’s a good picture for Piltover. Very electric man.”
Electric. Jayce had used that term to describe Councilor Medarda several times, but you never were sure what it meant. About 15 seconds passed after that. Fifteen seconds of pure silence, save your leg. Enough time for you to gather your thoughts of what struck you first in that sentence. “What about you?”
You heard a small squeak leave his lips. Involuntary, you assumed. “…what… about me?”
“To me, you always mean to seem well. You’re more confident in the technology Jayce developed. You’re–” His bright, honey brown eyes shone a captivating yellow studying your face. Tensed jaw muscles slimmed it, accentuating his cheekbones. Lips pouted, one eyebrow arched, wisps of hair bouncing on his forehead. Do you breathe one lung at a time? Breathtaking. Heartstopping. So, so… what’s the word? You swallowed the buildup of saliva in your mouth, observing his gaze on you for longer than you were prepared to handle. Shit, you’ve been quiet for too long. Think of a neutral adjective. “–adorable.”
Oh Gods. Oh, Gods. You mentally gave yourself a smackdown. “It’s hard to believe you aren’t at least the ‘Best Man of Progress’.”
Though his reaction was minimal, his blushing was difficult to hide when it was so pointed out by the sunlight. “I didn’t want to be a symbol. I wanted to be an inventor. I wanted to make improvements to everyday life. Photoshoots, campaigning, public relations? Seems glamorized.”
“Sounds tiring too. I hope Jayce is okay.”
“I worry about him. Him and his Councilor girlfriend. The situations they must have been pushed to mediate. For an entire city! I know Councilor Medard– Mel. Mel has long been running a Councilor, but I worry Jayce is letting her methods corrupt his own. How he thinks now sometimes worries me. He even talks like her every now and then.” He took another pizza square, looking at it much too melancholic. “Or maybe this was the real Jayce all along. Maybe I didn’t know him as well as I’d like to think I did.”
You thought about it for a bit. The silence sounded less irritating as your nerves calmed, relieved he didn’t think much of your comment. “You know I’m also his assistant by contract, right?”
“I trust you,” he remarked. “You’re not just me and Jayce’s assistant. You’ve seen mine and his worst days and treated us with the same amount of respect you would any Councilor, any citizen, or anyone from the Undercity any day. You know what I need and I don’t even say a word! You’re an assistant, sure, but a good one. And I trust a good assistant I would any other friend.”
You nearly choked on your pizza, eyeing him in surprise. “Wow! Um, I– not to be rude, but I didn’t think you thought that much of me. Or at all!”
’Cause I think of you waaay more than I should. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re nice. You’re smart. симпатичны. Who wouldn’t trust you?”
Huh. It was rare for Viktor to use Russian around you, if at all. With the context of when he said it, you could only hope it was something nice. Still, the compliment rang in your ears as an echo.
And for a moment, when you looked up at his face, the world spun slowly. Turning at every heave of your chest. His eyes met yours, his mouth full of pizza. His reaction seemed more concerned of his appearance when he quickly averted his gaze, covering his mouth to chew his food quickly.
He swallowed his lunch with a groan, hand on his chest. You knew, at that single moment, what Jayce meant about someone being ‘electric’. And by the gods above, if his bashful glance wasn’t enough to want to pull him by the neck and kiss him.
Before you knew it, you’d moved closer and closer to his face, mere inches separating the two of you. It didn’t surprise you when he backed away. It didn’t surprise you to feel hands on your shoulders, pressing to push you. It didn’t even surprise you the shock on his face, near disgusted at the prospect of being close to you.
But it surprised you when he moved his hands from his shoulders to your cheeks, shaky. When, worried he’s forcing the interaction, began to pull away when you pulled him back, your hands on his wrists. When he connected his forehead to yours, sighing deeply, closing his eyes. When he apologized. “I… I don’t… I can’t…”
You moved your hands to the sides of his head. “You don’t–.”
His hands were uncontrollable. “I want to, Y/N. Please. I just don’t want…” His voice cracked, almost sobbing. It didn’t take a Hextech Researcher to figure out what he’d say. Another Sky.
“Hey,” you cooed, ruffling his hair, “it’s okay. You don’t have to. It’s okay.”
“I’m not ready.”
“It’s okay.”
“I’ll take a while.”
“Absolutely no problem.”
“You make me feel light. In a good way. You make me… happy.”
“Me too.”
“I’d like to be closer to you, please. Ph–” He stumbled on his words. It didn’t come naturally for him to demand such intimacy. Then again, this was easy to gage from just what you knew about him. “Physically. Please.”
“I would love that. Very much.”
His arms wrapped around your neck, eager to hold you. You took the initiative, letting him nuzzle just below your neck. As he laid there, relieved, you hoped he hadn’t noted the superhuman speed your heart was running at.
He laid there for a good couple minutes, satisfied. And so were you. Never in a million years did you think you’d get this to happen. With his emotional distance. With your self-doubt. In the laboratory, of all places. Oh, what Jayce would tell you.
“This is nice.” He commented, eyes closed.
“We should do this more often.”
“Maybe, Y/N. When we have the time.” He directed your arms to wrap around his waist.
“Good to know you like this”
His face quickly contorted, stiffening. “Is this too much? Are you enjoying this? How are you feeling?”
“Viktor, I’m alright, alright?” You scolded. “I expect you to tell me as well. I’m ready for whatever you are.”
He thought about this. He thought more and… it seemed he liked the conclusion he arrived to. He snuggled closer, squeaking a sound of comfort on the way.
Someone knocked on the door. Three courteous knocks, evenly spaced. Jayce Talis. “Viktor? Y/N? You guys– uh, busy?”
Viktor jerked backwards, surprised by the noise. The force knocked you along with him. Off balance, the two of you caused quite a ruckus as you nearly toppled on top of your co-worker. Thinking quickly, you used your hands and knees to avoid colliding with the already frail man. You were about to face Viktor, relieved, when the doors to the lab opened.
“Are you guys okay in there? It’s getting pretty– OHHH-- OH, I’M SORRY, I’LL JUST–”
“JAYCE!” You scampered. Suddenly, your defense position seemed more... compromising. “IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! JAYCE? JAYCE TALIS, YOU COME BACK HERE!”
“I’M GOOD, REALLY. I’LL COME BACK LATER. HAVE FUN, YOU TWO! STAY SAFE! KNEW YOU HAD IT IN YOU, Y/N!”