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The council was bickering, bringing up topics of peace and war. Jayce wasn’t listening. He flipped a coin between his finger tips, his mind elsewhere. Listening to such painful topics every single day hurt the soul. Sometimes it was just better to zone out and let the children bicker. Jayce didn’t say anything the whole meeting, twiddling his coin and giving Mel glances every so often.
Mel and Jayce were nothing more than friends, just that. Mel got him his spot on the council, he didn’t know if he owed her or if he hated her for it. Being a counselor is no easy job.
Hands started to raise, lights flashing on the council members that voted.
‘Shit.’ thought Jayce as he had no idea what was being voted for. His heart sank as he looked around. As his eyes trailed the circle, he saw Mel’s hand was raised. That was enough. Jayce raised his hand and the proposal was passed.
Councilors started to stand and Jayce let out a breath of relief as the meeting finally came to an end, but that wasn’t the end of Jayce’s already long day. Jayce dragged his feet through the halls, thinking he was finally in the clear to visit his partner.
Jayce’s feet echoed in the halls, a lighter pair of footsteps could be heard with him. Mel followed Jayce out, grabbing his wrist tightly. Jayce jumped slightly, turning around to her.
“Can we talk?”
Jayce looked at Mel, confused before nodding. The hall was empty, the two were alone.
“Jayce, I was speaking to my mother and she said something that I actually believe is a good idea. It would benefit both of us.” Mel spoke with such elegance. Mel’s mother was highly respected, and Jayce saw her mother as someone to take inspiration from.
“Well? What is it?” He spoke, turning his back to the wall, leaning on it slightly as he gave Mel his attention.
“Power works best in pairs. The power of two will always be greater than the power of one. You’re my best friend and I have no interest in anyone else that holds the amount of power you do.”
Jayce wasn’t catching what she was trying to say, that or he wasn’t wanting to comprehend her idea. “Okay..?” He spoke.
Mel sighed, walking up to him. She got closer than Jayce would normally allow. “Powerful couples can influence votes better than one person can. Society holds couples at a higher regard. I was thinking, you and I. We could finally get the changes we’ve been pushing for. The iconic couple of Piltover.”
Mel put her hand up, moving her hand to Jayce’s chest, before contact could be made, Jayce grabbed her wrist.
“No. No way.” His voice was louder, and more stern than before. If looks could kill, Mel would be dead. Mel looked at her wrist that was still in Jayce’s grip.
“Mel…” Jayce hesitated, but he trusted her. Maybe his secret could be known to one other person. “I have someone already. He means a lot to me.” There was no shame in Jayce’s voice, only some nervousness. Jayce would never be ashamed of Viktor, just scared of how the others would react.
Mel froze, pulling her hand back to her side. “He-? Oh..” It didn’t take her long to figure out who the other’s partner was. The same man whos been his partner for years, but now more than just lab partners.
She took a deep breath. “My point stands. We would fake it, get our status, and keep your little secret safe. You wouldn’t want anyone else to know about you and Viktor. Think about it.” She said it with a smile, but there was a threatening feel to her words.
Jayce watched her as she walked away. His heart froze in the bottom of his chest.
---
Viktor sat alone in his lab, looking onward to the Hexcore in front of him. The purple light from the core was the only thing that lit up the room. Purple light reflected off the pale man’s face, almost making him look sicker than he already was. There was a soft creaking of the door as it opened, allowing outside light inside. Viktor knew who it was before they even said anything or made eye contact. The light flicked on, and Viktor flinched slightly as his eyes shifted to the bright light.
Nothing was said right away. Comfortable silence as the door shut and heavy footsteps walked closer to Viktor in the chair. As the steps got closer, a warm embrace grabbed Viktor from behind. Letting out a soft sigh of relaxation, the smaller man leaned back into the warmth of his partner.
“Jayce…” Viktor’s words trailed off his tongue as Jayce’s fingers gently rubbed over the exposed skin of Viktor’s collarbone.
“Hey, my dear.” Jayce’s voice melted Viktor with such ease. The cold man couldn’t help his cheeks to heat up ever so slightly when his lover was around. Jayce kept his partner is his grasp for what he wished was forever. A love that was forbidden from leaving their walls. If the council knew- If Piltover knew…Jayce and Viktor didn’t know what they would do or think, but they wanted to keep the reputation of ‘The Creators of Hextech’. The couple didn’t need extra drama surrounding them. The secret was safe, and it kept their work safe as well.
Hands removed themselves from Viktor, as Jayce walked off to pick up a chair. Viktor, now cold again, watched his partner from afar. Jayce picked up a chair, moving it as close to Viktor’s as possible. After taking a seat, Jayce let his head fall perfectly onto his partner’s bare shoulder. The energy was different. Jayce was always tired after having to deal with being a counselor, but this was different. He seemed defeated.
“What’s wrong?” Viktor asked, moving his arm to wrap around Jayce. He turned his attention away from the Hextech, Jayce being his first priority.
“Mel had a talk with me.” His voice sounded like it was going to break at any given moment.
“What did she want?”
“She said that… Couples have more power then a single person, especially when it comes to the government..” Jayce moved his head deeper into the crevasse of Viktor’s neck, putting his hand gently on the other’s thigh.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Viktor turned his head, looking down at Jayce. Poor boy.
“She wants to fake a relationship with me. She said it would give us power and-” Jayce looked up to Viktor, his jaw clenched and his eyes dull. A mix of anger and frustration. “I told her about us. I- I am scared others will find out if I deny her.”
Viktor perked up as Jayce spoke. His heart was racing and he shot up to his feet, not allowing Jayce as close to him as he was. “You told her?!” He spat out at Jayce “We kept this a secret because of you and you told her?!” He yelled, his accent getting thicker as he was unable to control his anger.
Jayce followed him to his feet, reaching out and grabbing both of Viktor’s hands. Cold and weak, not even trying to hold Jayce’s hands back.
“Please… I am sorry, Viktor. I just- I don’t know what I was thinking, it was a mistake but being mad won’t fix this. Please.” Jayce was basically begging. Viktor just shook his head, taking a seat back down on his chair.
There was silence after that. Jayce still standing, looking at Viktor who wouldn’t make eye contact with the other.
The silence felt like ages before Viktor broke it.
“You should do it. Protect us and… make Piltover better, make the Undercity better.” Viktor still didn’t look up to him. He wasn’t happy about this but… what else could they do?
Jayce just nodded, taking a seat next to Viktor once again. He took his partner’s hand, bringing the cold hand to his lips and kissing his knuckles.
“I wish you were a girl…” Jayce whispered, looking at his lover. A small tear ran down Viktor’s cheek, and Jayce wiped it away.
“It would be easier..”