Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Alright, what have we got?” Vi asked Ekko as they walked up to the apartment block.

“Threats mostly, but it looked like someone tried to actually kill him today.” Ekko looked up at the sun. He still wasn’t used to such direct sunlight, even months after the peace between Zaun and Piltover had been established, “The threats were sent to a male omega by the name of… Viktor, no last name, and because some of them contained threats against his son, Miro, he called the police. Nothing was done, until today, when someone tried to shoot him as he left the apartment.”

Viktor.

The name rang a bell.

“How many threats has he received?”

“He didn’t say.” Ekko flipped through the notes, before scoffing in disgust, “He’s from Zaun originally… probably why the police didn’t help him when he first called.”

Probably.

Despite the peace, the old prejudices still held strong. Hell, if it weren’t for the Captain of Enforcers dating a Zaunite, they probably wouldn’t have ever been able to sign up and try to change the way everything was run on the inside.

Vi was sure her girlfriend probably wouldn’t appreciate Vi telling her that’s why they could never break up.

They entered the apartment where a thin, practically gaunt looking man was sat at the table, a crutch resting beside him as he patiently spoke to another officer.

“Mister Viktor?” Ekko cut in, not missing how Viktor glanced over at them and instantly looked a little brighter, clearly recognising them as fellow Zaunites.

The white hair and the pink hair was a dead giveaway.

“We’ve got it from here.” Vi stated to the sergeant, “Make sure someone makes moulds of the wall where the bullet entered.”

“…Yes Ma’am.”

Respect would come at some time, Vi was sure.

As the officer left, Vi and Ekko took a seat at the table, seeing a child playing quietly on the sofa.

“My name is Violet, and this is Ekko.” She introduced them, leaving out the titles for the moment, “We’re the ones who are going to be leading the case from now on.”

“Viktor.” The man softly replied, an odd accent in his voice that the pair recognised from the lower end of Zaun, where several immigrant families lived.

“We hear that you’ve received several threats, and that today, those threats were acted on.”

“Hm.” Viktor glanced over at the child, who seemed oblivious to whatever was happening, “I do not mind the threats. They are nothing but empty words, and what can words do to me? The bullet, however, was a surprise.”

“Do you still have those letters?”

Viktor nodded, slowly getting to his feet, grabbing the crutch, and limping over to a nearby desk.

“Mama?” The child looked up at the movement, calming when Viktor muttered something soothing in his native tongue, fetching the notes from the drawer and handing them over to Vi.

It was the usual stuff she’d seen sent to Zauns who had settled in Piltover.

‘Go back to where you came from.’

‘You don’t belong here.’

‘Leave or else.’

And then she saw something very interesting. “What is this note referring to?” She held up the note in question, “He will never take you back?”

Viktor winced a little, hands worrying at the metal of his crutch, “I assume… it’s referring to my ex-husband. He decided that he didn’t want a child and was unwilling to see reason because of it.” he scoffed, “Foolish of these notes to even assume I’d want him back.”

There was a hint of longing in his voice though, his eyes automatically darting over to the toddler.

“You don’t think it’s him sending the notes?”

“Unless he has started referring to himself in the third person, which is possible I suppose, then no.”

Vi caught Ekko’s eye, as her partner nodded minutely.

They needed to speak to the husband.

“We need his name.”

Viktor hesitated for a few moments, before answering. “Jayce… Jayce Talis.”

………………………………………………

“I didn’t know that Councillor Talis used to be married?”

Vi shrugged, “I knew I recognised Viktor’s name somewhere…. He was the co-founder of Hextech, the silent partner behind it all. Him and Jayce were the IT couple in Piltover.” She frowned, “I don’t remember anything about a divorce though? As far as I remember, one day he was there and the next he wasn’t.”

“He just disappeared?”

“… I need to speak to Cait.”

“Now?”

“Not for that!” Vi rolled her eyes, “She’s Talis’s best friend, she’ll know exactly what happened and if he’s been acting oddly recently.”

………………………………………………..

“Why do you need to know about Viktor?” Cait asked, glancing between the both of them, “Why are you digging up the past like this?”

“Why do you say it like that?” Vi leant in a little closer.

“…Viktor died. A few years ago.”

“D-Dead?” Vi glanced at Ekko who looked just as shocked as she felt, “How?”

“There was an accident in the labs…. An explosion. We never found any of his remains.” Cait shook her head, “Jayce was devastated… he’d gone to a Council meeting that day. For months he blamed himself, thinking that if he’d just stayed, then he might have been able to save him.”

“That’s…. impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because we’ve just spoken to Viktor.” Ekko frowned, “And he looked very alive to us.”

“Do you have a photo of him?” Vi asked, when Cait gaped at them both, “Maybe this is a case of an imposter getting caught out and threats being sent to him because of that?”

Cait nodded, clearly hoping that this was the case, reaching into her drawer, pushing aside some documents, before finally happening upon a golden frame with a photo inside. “Jayce gave me this for safe keeping.” She whispered, “I don’t think they were even dating in this photo.”

She handed it over to Vi, he took and examined it.

The man who everyone knew as the ‘Man of Progress’ had never looked happier, mouth open in a laugh as a shorter, much skinnier man laughed along with him, bracing himself against Councillor Talis as he did so.

“Yeah... it’s definitely him.” Ekko muttered, looking over the photo, “He said...he said that Talis knew he was pregnant and got rid of him because of that?”

“Pregnant?” Cait lowered herself back into her chair, looking shell-shocked, “No we-we would have known. Jayce would have known. He- he wanted so desperately for him and Viktor to have a child.” She shook her head, “No... we would have known.”

Vi looked at the picture again. Trying to conjure up the image of the child in her mind. Whilst the toddler did mostly favour Viktor, she could also see a little bit of Talis in him.

“I don’t know what’s going on.” She whispered, “But there’s something... off about all this.”

“Jayce- “

“- Don’t tell him anything.” Vi sighed, “Someone told him that Viktor was dead, and someone told Viktor that Jayce never wanted to see him or his unborn child again... and it was probably the same person. Who told Jayce about the explosion?”

“… Councillor Medarda.”

Shit.

Things just got a whole lot more difficult.

Chapter Text

Jayce had always considered himself to be an early riser, often waking up just as the sun started to rise.

When waking up next to Viktor, he loved to soak up the sight of his love sleeping. The way his pale skin practically glowed in the early morning light; messy brown hair sprawled out on the pillow. Yes, the omega may have hogged most the bed with his limbs equally as sprawled out, but Jayce didn’t mind almost falling out of bed when he got to wake up to this sight.

… When he used to wake up to that sight.

Waking up alone was nothing to look forwards to though.

Not in the slightest.

Wearily, he got up and started his day.

Every day, it was harder and harder to do this.

He headed over to the kitchen, brewing himself some coffee and making a cup of sweet milk at the same time, like he always did. He then moved over to the table by the window, the sweet milk sitting untouched opposite him as he sipped at the coffee, staring out at the passing world.

Rio would inevitably try and claw at his ankles then for his food.

Once upon a time, he hated this cat.

Now, it was his last tie to Viktor that he had, unable to get rid of the cat even when the blasted creature scratched and bit at his ankles.

He checked his messages, grimacing when he saw another message from Councillor Medarda.

She had been pushing for him to get married and mated again, and he was sure that she was hinting that it would be her. Having two Alphas in a relationship wasn’t that unusual, not anymore, but that really wasn’t where his interests lay.

Besides, he knew he would never love anyone as much as he’d loved Viktor and that was that.

He wouldn’t mate and marry someone he didn’t love.

Sighing, he finished his coffee and practiced his Councillor smile in the reflection of the window.

Show time.

On the opposite side table, the sweet milk sat untouched, as it had nearly every morning for over three years.

…………………………….

“It’s… about Viktor.”

Jayce dropped his fourth cup of coffee of the day to the ground, dark liquid spilling all over the floor, the ceramic breaking into uncountable pieces.

“Viktor?” He whispered in a shuddering breath, before trying to regain his composure. He turned, not wanting Cait or the ither two officers behind her to see the look on his face, so close to tears, and yet not because he felt like he had completely cried himself out. “Why… why this be about Viktor?”

“We’re…reinvestigating the explosion.” Cait explained, glancing back at the pink haired woman behind her, “We think… it might have been foul play.”

Jayce’s heart sunk to his stomach.

……………………………………..

Viktor tried not to groan when he heard Miro calling for him from his bedroom, wearily getting out of bed, wincing as the cold seemed to sink right into his bones, limping out of the room and seeing Ekko looking at his son’s bedroom in concern.

“Is he- “

“- Bad dream.” Viktor explained, “He gets them occasionally.” He frowned, “Are you sure you don’t want me to get you a blanket of some sort?”

“Nah.” Ekko waved his hand in dismissal, “I wouldn’t be much of a guard if I feel asleep in the middle of protecting you.”

“Right… of course.” Viktor nodded, heading into Miro’s room to try and soothe him. When it became clear that a simple lullaby wasn’t going to work, he gently led Miro into the kitchen, where Ekko was already boiling the kettle.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.” Ekko smiled at them, “Happy to help.”

“You have done that in so many ways already.” Viktor chuckled, “But I appreciate it.”

His attention went back to Miro as the toddler whined, prompting him to carry him as best he could, as he sat at the kitchen table. Softly, he ran a finger down the bridge of his son’s nose, waiting until he settle a little before humming a familiar song from long ago.

It was Miro’s favourite song, even though it wasn’t Viktor who was meant to be singing it to him

Even now, he could hear Jayce singing it when Viktor woke up from a nightmare. He could still remember the feel of his husband’s hand on his jaw, thumbs wiping away the tears streaming down his face when he struggled to breath.

“That’s lovely.”

Startled out of his thoughts, Viktor looked over at Ekko, a little embarrassed to remember that they weren’t alone.

“Apologies.” He muttered, “I didn’t mean to- “

“- No, no, it’s okay.” Ekko rubbed the back of his hair a little nervously, “It’s just… nice to see that you care about him. You know what it’s like for kids in Zaun… parents working long hours just to put food on the table. I can’t remember the last time my mother even touched me before she passed.”

“Mine were much the same.” Viktor glanced down at Miro, seeing that he was well and truly asleep, “Worse considering I was a cripple and couldn’t be put to work in the same way like some children could. They cared, but they didn’t know how to show it a lot of the time. In the end, I was raised by a scientist who pushed me to attend the Academy.”

“…Where you met Councillor Talis.”

“Yes… where I met Jayce.” He felt like his chest was tight, “I should get Miro back to bed.” He whispered, “Thank you for… well, everything.”

“No worries.”

…

Viktor was not about to admit that he was hiding in Miro’s room, feeling a little raw with the course that they were heading down.

He could still remember finding out that he was pregnant.

He’d gone for a quick visit to Singed’s, knowing that occasionally, the man needed a little but of human contact to stop himself from going completely over the edge. Jayce had been in meetings almost every day that week, and honestly, Viktor was feeling more than a little lonely.

He remembered Singed’s eyes scanning over him, before the beta dragged him to Silco’s, asking the mobster omega for a pregnancy test.

Singed was honestly lucky that Silco didn’t kill him, but one was handed over and Viktor was pushed into the bathroom.

He’d been so happy. So delighted to be starting a family with Jayce… And then he received the note from Jayce, saying that he wanted nothing more to do with them.

Bad memories

Nothing but bad memories.

Chapter Text

“We’re doing a handwriting analysis for the notes.” Vi stated, as she entered the room, “I don’t think he’s responsible for the notes, but we need to compare the handwriting samples with something. Asking him for a sample will only raise his suspicions about you being in the city.”

“And you think that I have something with my ex’s handwriting.” Viktor hummed thoughtfully, “I might have something.”

He limped over to a nearby cupboard, opening it up and pulling out a box as he searched through some papers. In the meantime, Vi looked over at Miro, who was playing some sort of game with Ekko, the pair just about managing to communicate.

Personally, she couldn’t see a lot of Talis in him.

His hair was the same dark shade, and his skin was definitely closer to the Councillor’s than it was to Viktor’s paleness. However, that was about where the similarities ended. The rest was all Viktor, including the slight golden tinge to his eyes, the birthmark on his chin… and the dodgy leg.

“Here.”

She was handed a piece of paper, frowning when she saw an official council letter.

“The other side.”

She turned it over, seeing a different handwriting and this was definitely not an official government.

“Councillor Medarda sent us that when we were first setting Hextech up.” Viktor explained, “Reading between the lines, I think she wanted us to be grateful enough to offer her favours when needed, but Jayce was just so caught up in the excitement of our idea working, that he started using this letter as a doodle sheet.” Long fingers pointed at the tiny scribbles in the corner of the page, “We were working together for a few months when he wrote this letter.”

Vi’s eyes scanned over it.

‘Viktor,

I don’t know if I’ll ever give you this to read, but I’m writing it anyway.

I don’t know why.

I don’t even know where to start, it’s all so confusing. I’ve been thinking a lot lately… about us and what we are. I thought writing down my thoughts would help me understand them, but at the moment, it’s really not. If anything, I seem to be rambling and making things worse. I can’t think about you during the day, when we’re meant to be working, because when I do, my mind spirals out of control, and I feel like I’m going to fall apart.

I don’t remember when I fell in love with you, but I don’t remember a time when I haven’t loved you. I just didn’t always know that’s what it was, but I knew that I felt differently towards you than anyone else I’ve ever met.

You didn’t treat me like I was crazy.

You listened to me.

You made me feel like I mattered, that my ideas mattered. I treasure the moments we spend together and look forward to seeing you every morning.

I didn’t know what this feeling was.

I’d never felt this way before, at least that I can remember.

I feel drawn to you, I want to spend time with you, I want to talk with you.

I want to love you.

The thought used to terrify me, so I pushed it out of my mind. I buried my love for you and tried to pretend that it didn’t exist, because I didn’t want to ruin what we had. But no matter what, I couldn’t forget it. Once I knew that it was love, it all made sense. For a while, I have hoped that you loved me too or that I could muster up the courage to tell you face to face, especially when you’re so oblivious to the little gifts that I give you!

I couldn’t do this to your face, so hopefully someday, I'll have the courage to give this to you.

Hopefully, you feel the same.

Jayce

“It’s lovely.” Vi whispered.

“Hmm.” Viktor chuckled, “He had so many friends at the Academy, a lot of them omegas, and yet, he chose me.”

Vi was silent, hearing Ekko thank Viktor for the handwriting sample, before she shakily gave him her own thanks, before leaving.

They had Jayce’s handwriting sample.

And Councillor Medarda’s as well.

………………………………

“Do you… mind if I ask you a question?”

Jayce looked up, seeing the pink-haired officer, Vi, staring at him. He tried to give her a reassuring smile, not wanting to paint the cold, unfeeling picture that he knew a lot of Councillors like to paint of themselves.

“We’ve conducted a lot of interviews…” She began, “… with people who were around at the time.”

“Oh?”

“… Many of them seemed surprised that you chose Viktor. Why?”

Jayce scoffed, “Because they all turned from me when I was going through a hard time, whereas Viktor forced me to stop wallowing in misery and actually do what I needed. He was… brilliant. He was the final piece that I needed in my life and we were inseparable after that break-through. Over time, I fell in love with him.”

“… What did you love about him?”

“His passion…his eyes…. His smile.” Jayce waved his hand, “I could list them all off, but we’d be here for days. Hextech is dedicated to make both Piltover and Zaun better places to live, and whilst the majority of the Council wants me to focus on Piltover, it’s Viktor who always reminds me that it’s Zaun who needs it more. It was his convictions that really...sealed it for me I think.”

“… It has helped.”

Jayce felt a little warm at the reassurance, looking down so that Vi didn’t see the dampness in his eyes.

“Good.” He whispered, a moment later, “I’m glad that Viktor’s legacy is helping.”

“Isn’t it your legacy?”

“It wouldn’t be anyone’s legacy without him.”

Vi looked a little distressed at the words, but seemed to get the answer that she wanted, turning back to her work.

Jayce was confused, but let it go.

….

That night, as he sat at his desk, Jayce felt the urge to write a letter. He hadn’t been able to find the old letter that he’d written and given to Viktor to confess his feelings.

So, he wrote another one.

He wrote about Viktor’s fingers and the amazing work that they did.

That gorgeous skin.

The cute way he looked after not quite getting enough sleep.

He wrote about how he thought that Viktor was the beautiful man on the planet, a genius and a beauty that Jayce was lucky to have met and mated.

He wrote about how he missed him.

More than anything, he missed him.

Chapter Text

He can’t breathe.

It’s hot.

He’s cold.

And he can’t breathe.

“Hey, hey are you okay?!”

He only vaguely recognised the voice, drawing in a shuddering breath. It was like trying to breathe in broken glass, and it hurt.

It hurt so much.

“It’s okay.” The voice whispered softly.

It wasn’t okay, though. Everything hurt, it wasn’t okay. He closed his eyes and all he could see was red.

“Okay, this isn’t working.” The voice sounded a little panicked now, before there was a hand on his shoulder, “Hey, I think you need to wake up- Woah!”

Viktor’s eyes shot open as the white-haired figure suddenly jumped back in alarm.

“Ekko?” He mumbled, “What- “

“- I think you were having a nightmare.” Ekko whispered, “A really, really bad nightmare.”

“Ah… I should have expected this I suppose.” Viktor groaned, pushing himself up, “This case has been… draining. A cup of sweet milk should send me back off.” He looked over at the younger man, “I apologise for waking you.”

“You didn’t.”

It was clear that Viktor didn’t believe, but he was too tired to argue as he grabbed his crutch and limped out of the room and towards the kitchen, leaving Ekko to stare after him with a sad expression.

………………………………………..

Jayce hated how they were bringing everything up again.

Mel had been calling him nearly constantly, but he couldn’t bring himself to answer. He knew that she was interested in him, but honestly, Viktor was the only one for him and eventually, she would realise that.

Wouldn’t she?

He lay in his bed and fought not to sob, pounding his fists into the pillow, over and over. He was angry, sad, guilty, with everything in his body aching…but mostly his heart.

Why were they investigating the explosion again?

He shifted in his bed, making the covers rustle, the noise sounding like static in his ears. It was silent in these rooms, and to this day, it still felt odd that it was so silent.

No sounds of late-night tinkering.

No light wheezing from the other side of the bed.

Nothing.

He lay there for what felt like hours, not moving, not thinking, not even able to muster enough energy to be frustrated about the entire situation.

He wanted this to be over.

He needed this to be over.

…………………

“Caitlyn?” Vi knocked on the door, slowly pushing the door open, frowning when there was no response, “Cait.”

Cait didn’t look up from the report she was reading, biting at her lower lip.

“Caitlyn?”

“Does Ekko have an update from… Viktor?”

Vi frowned, but cleared her throat, thinking back to the last message she received from her partner. “Apparently him and Miro are watching a cartoon film and building something. I think Ekko’s having the most fun that he’s had in years doing this.” She frowned, “Why?”

“Because we have a serious problem.” Cait pushed the report over to her, “We analysed the two handwriting samples and compared them to the threat notes.”

“…And?”

Caitlyn just tapped on the report, prompting Vi to pick it up and read it, only to feel like her heart was sinking to her stomach. “Is this serious?”

“They’re almost 95% positive.”

“…The handwriting from the notes matches Councillor Medarda’s handwriting.”

“Yep.”

“…She’s been writing the threatening notes to Viktor?”

“She’s known Viktor’s been alive this entire time.” Cait stared at the wall for a time, before getting to her feet and slamming her hand down onto her desk, “And she’s been flirting with Jayce, knowing this! Knowing that he was devastated about Viktor!”

“…Maybe you should calm down before you speak to her?”

Cait spun around, shooting Vi a glare, before she practically deflated.

“Jayce has never recovered from Viktor’s death… and now, there’s a chance that someone he trusts is behind it all. How can I possibly calm down?”

“You’re going to have to.” Vi sighed, “Especially if you want to get to the bottom of this.”

Caitlyn scowled.

She didn’t like it, but she knew Vi was right.

They were going to fix this, no matter what it meant.

……………………………………..

“We have to be professional.”

Caitlyn nodded, “We need to appear united and as equals.”

This time, Vi nodded, sighing wearily. “Which means no standing there and glowering at everyone.” She sighed, “Which is going to be hard if this is going the way I think it’s going.”

Caitlyn didn’t say anything else, frowning for a moment. “No withering looks.” She agreed, “We have to be calm about this.”

“Professional, united, non-threatening… there is going to be no way that she can turn this against us.”

“Exactly.” Caitlyn sucked in a nervous breath, “This all has to be perfect.”

They entered the Council building, the receptionist spotting them instantly and rushing over. “The Council is in a meeting, maybe I can pass on a message?”

“Yes.” Caitlyn straightened, “You can tell Councillor Medarda that we need to speak to her, right away please.”

“I really don’t- “

“- Right now. Please.”

The receptionist glanced between them for a moment, before nodding and rushing towards the Council room, leaving Vi and Caitlyn standing there.

“Well.” Caitlyn drew in a deep breath, “I sense this is going to go well.”

“…We definitely seem united if that makes you feel any better.”

“Not much, no.”

….

“For the last time, Hextech is not to be used in the production of weapons.” Jayce rubbed his temples, feeling exhausted despite it only being 30 minutes into the meeting, “This was set up in the contract when our company was first established, and I will not change that. We have no reason to change that!”

“Councillor, you are being unreasonable- “

“- No, I am not.” Jayce snapped, “Hextech can have devastating effects if not handled properly… and I will not see anyone else loose someone because of this.”

He mentally winced.

He’d been thinking about Viktor too much recently. He didn’t mean for the ‘else’ to slip out the way that it had.

Thankfully, there was a knocking on the door that stopped anyone from asking any questions, the receptionist opening the door and peeking her head through the door.

“C-councillor Medarda?” She cleared her throat, “There are some Enforcers here to speak to you.”

Jayce frowned at the words.

“Tell them to wait for the end of this meeting please.” Mel’s voice was pleasant enough, but everyone could sense the edge in it.

“They were…insistent Ma’am.” The receptionist cleared her throat, “It’s Captain Kiramman.”

Caitlyn?

Why would Caitlyn want to speak Mel?

A niggling seed of suspicion wriggled its way into Jayce’s brain.

What was going on?

Chapter Text

He’d found the box half buried under a huge pile of notes and schematics. It had been a low kind of day, and he wasn’t sure what made him search for the box of memories, but he did.

‘We think that Councillor Medarda might have had something to do with the explosion.’

The words had been told to him in confidence, and yet, they were all that Jayce could think about now. His fingers brushed against the suit that he’d worn to Viktor’s funeral, snatching his hand away as though it had burnt him.

What did it mean?

How could Mel possibly have been involved?

Why?

What would she have to gain from it?

Trying to shake the thoughts from his head, he opened up the box, fingers gently flicking through the older photos, before he settled on one that was taken not long after their company was first starting up, arms around each other as they laughed. With that photo in his hand, he left the apartment, heading straight for the graveyard.

Maybe the mere presence of Viktor would help.

If anyone wanted to speak to him, then they must have seen the look on his face, because they decided better of it.

The graveyard was a smaller one, set aside from the rest of the city where he was guaranteed that he would get some privacy, where nobody would take pictures of him mourning his husband.

When he arrived at the graveyard, he sank down to his knees in front of the white marble slab, tracing his finger over the beautifully engraved name.

Mel had been the one to push for a more public grave, which was probably the only thing Jayce had argued with her about during that time. He didn’t argue against the little statue that had been commissioned for the memorial stone, but perhaps that was because he loved coming here and looking up at the face of his husband.

“Is it true?” He asked the still face, “Was Mell really responsible for it?”

Of course, there was no answer.

The dam broke.

Not for the first time, in this position, Jayce sobbed until there were no tears left. After what seemed like hours, with one final, shaky sob, he found the strength to push himself to his feet.

“I’m going to find out the truth.” He whispered to the grave, “I promise Viktor…I won’t rest until I know the truth.”

…

“So, you found some notes with my handwriting on them?” Mel raised an eyebrow at the pair of them, “That’s not exactly proof that a crime has been committed is it?”

“It is when the notes contained threats.” Cait stated, Jayce’s confused and hurt face still in her mind.

She was going to get to the bottom of this.

“When did you get a sample of my handwriting.”

“There was a handwritten letter that was provided to us with your signature at the bottom.” Vi sounded a little fed up, “You sent some notes that contained threats, which is one problem. The other problem is who you sent them to.”

“…I was helping Jayce.”

Cait frowned, “How?”

“…If you know about the notes, then you know who I sent them too.” Mel took a deep breath, “I was protecting Jayce from a broken heart.”

Caitlyn and Vi glanced at each, before turning back to her.

“Pardon?” “Huh?”

………………………..

‘Dear Viktor,

I hope you are happy and at peace.

It’s me again…your husband. It’s been so long since I last wrote to you like this and I’m sorry for that.

Viktor… I love you. In every single way, I adore you still and I miss you every day. I wish I could see you again, to have the life I always wanted with you…because there is nobody better than you.

I will find the truth.

Love, Jayce’

Signing his name, Jayce wiped away any lingering tears that might have slipped free, folding it up and shoving it into his inside pocket. Yet another letter that would never see the light of day, but they made him feel better. Leaning back in his chair, he sighed heavily, looking over at the picture of him and Viktor.

There was a chance the explosion wasn’t just an accident.

There was a chance that Mel was involved.

And he had no idea what to do next.

No, that was a lie.

He needed to speak to Caitlyn.

…..

“I don’t believe her.” Vi stated as the door shut behind Councillor Medarda, “Why would Viktor be actively plotting about Piltover when he was mated and pregnant. Surely that’s something he’d do before it got that far, right?”

Cait was silent.

“Cait? Please tell me you don’t believe her?”

“…I don’t know.” Cait eventually sighed, “I know just how much Jayce loved Viktor, I know that after he died there were some days that he struggled to even get out of bed. How he could barely get changed most days. How it takes most of his strength not to cry some days.” She got up and started to pace back and forth, “He buys flowers for the grave pretty much over other week, how could he not have loved him!” She then turned to Vi, “But I never saw that from Viktor.”

“…So you’re going to easily accept that the Zaunite was just playing the long con?”

Cait realised her mistake a little too late, opening her mouth as Vi scoffed and turned away.

“Vi! Vi, please I didn’t- “

“- I’m actually going to investigate the claims that the Councillor.” Vi cut her off, “Maybe you should go and check in on Viktor.”

Cait knew a dismissal when she heard on, nodding awkwardly and watching her girlfriend leave.

Well… she messed that up.

……………………

Fuck, where was he?

Ekko never thought that Viktor would give him the permission to take Miro to the local park, when Viktor needed to go and speak to someone, and it would probably never happen again, because he couldn’t see Miro anywhere.

Panic started to kick in, until he looked over to his right and spotted a familiar white coat in the distance, a small figure standing in front of him.

“Councillor Tanis!” Ekko was sure he was going to pass out, “Miro, there you are! Please don’t walk off like that!”

Miro looked at least a little apologetic, looking up at Ekko and saying something that sounded like an apology, before gesturing at Jayce excitedly.

Ekko did not share the excitement.

“Babysitting?” Councillor Tanis chuckled, as Ekko cleared his throat.

“Not- well, yes, but it’s for a current case.”

He shouldn’t have said that.

He should not have said that in the slightest.

Jayce glanced down at Miro, narrowing his eyes at the toddler, “The one that Cait and Vi are working on?”

Ekko had no idea how to answer that question.

“Right.” Jayce muttered, before starting to smile again and moving to his knees in front of Miro, examining him a little closer, “My name is Jayce, and your name is Miro, right?”

Miro nodded shyly.

“…That means Peace I think. In the southern Zaun dialect?”

Miro nodded again, as Jayce’s smile got a little sadder. Seeing them so close the way that they were, Miro’s parentage was so obvious in that moment, despite his golden-brown eyes and slightly gaunt look.

Could Jayce see that as well?

“Interesting.” Jayce looked away from Miro, pushing himself back up as the other two eyed him curiously, “Thank you Ekko, I-I need to speak to Councillor Medarda I think, but then, can you let Cait and Vi know that I need to speak to them please?”

“…Sure.”

“Thank you.” Jayce nodded, before looking back down at Miro, and waving him goodbye.

“Do svidaniya.” He said softly, as Miro eagerly repeated the phrase, waving as Jayce walked away.

Ekko had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach about all this.

Chapter Text

Viktor sighed and stretched, wincing at the twinge in his back. Vaguely, he could hear the door unlocking, looking up from where he’d been asleep at his desk, to see the Enforcer, Violet entering the room, face dark with fury.

“Is everything alright?” He asked softly, watching her pace his living room.

Ekko and Miro were not back yet it seemed.

“I’m fine.” Vi snapped, “It’s just… the investigation has taken a bit of a sharp turn and my partner is making stupid decisions.”

“Oh?”

Vi was silent for a moment, before looking over at Viktor. “We found that Councillor Medarda was the one who sent you those letters.”

“That…isn’t as much of a surprise as I thought it would be. And the shot?”

“We’re still looking into that.” Vi went to sit by him, “But it’s likely she might have hired someone… why aren’t you that surprised to find out that she was involved.”

“Mel Medarda was… always a little too interested in Jayce. I know that she was disappointed when he chose me, but to do this- “ He then saw the look on Vi’s face, “- You don’t think that that was all that she did.”

“No. I think she’s gone a lot further than a few notes and a warning shot.”

The front door opened up again, as Ekko practically ran into the room, Miro in his arms and a slightly panicked look on his face.

“Umm, how much does Councillor Talis know about…all this?” He asked.

“What do you mean?”

“We have a problem.”

….

One of Jayce’s earliest memories, was of his father singing to him. A lullaby that had remained in the back of his mind for years, and that he had eventually starting humming in the lab during quiet moments with Viktor.

It was that same lullaby that drew him to the child in the park.

The boy couldn’t have been more than three or four years old, using a cane to hop along the edges of the park, trying to find something to play on, that wasn’t already crammed full of children.

And he was humming the lullaby that his father had sung to him, and that he had sung to Viktor all those years ago.

Unconsciously, Jayce found himself joining in, catching the attention of the child, who looked over at him curiously, before moving a bit closer.

It was the eyes and the presence of Ekko that made Jayce see that there was something going on here.

And everyone seemed to be lying to him.

He started to put the pieces together in his mind.

Vi and Ekko took on a new case…one that they had yet to go into any detail over but had them involving Cait. Whatever this case was, had them asking questions about Viktor and the explosion, looking into that again.

And suspecting Mel of something.

Mel who had been spending a lot more time with him ever since the explosion and would probably spend more time with him if Jayce hadn’t put his foot down when Mel tried to invite him as her date to a gathering.

With him losing Viktor, she had a lot to gain from it.

And he hated that he felt this, but deep in his gut, he felt betrayed.

Striding forwards, he turned a corner, only to nearly bump right into Caitlyn, the pair of them fumbling to steady each other.

“Where are you off to in such a rush?” he asked, forcing himself to joke and tease with his friend, as though none of this was ever happening.

Like his world wasn’t coming down around him.

“I-“Caitlyn met his eyes for a brief second, before looking away just as quickly, “I need to ask you something important.”

“O-kay?”

“…. Do you think Viktor really loved you?”

Something must have shown on his face, as Cait winced, opening her mouth to backtrack, only for Jayce to speak up before she could.

“Yes, he did and the fact that you’re even asking me that- “He cut himself off, making him a sound of frustration, “- Why are you even asking me that?”

“I- “

“-Is this about this case? Is this about whatever Mel’s done?”

When there was nothing but silence, Jayce felt his fists tighten.

“TELL ME!”

Cait stared at him for a moment, before sighing, looking like she’d aged ten years in a matter of seconds.

“Alright…alright, I’ll tell you.”

……………………

Viktor knew, from the moment that he moved back to Piltover, that this was a bad decision.

This was not the place for them, and at first, he believed that it was because he didn’t want to accidentally run into Jayce.

But now…knowing that Jayce believed that he was dead, and that Mel was behind EVERYTHING…. He definitely knew that they should never have come back here.

“I’m sorry we never told you sooner.” Vi whispered, “But, we didn’t know how the investigation was going to end, if Councillor Talis really was involved or- “

“- I understand.” Viktor could hear how shaky his voice was, “You think that Mel was behind everything though?”

“Her and maybe someone else.” Vi sighed, “I can’t see her being the one to actually fire the shot or lay the explosives. She’s easy to keep an eye on, but until we know who’s behind the actual acts themselves, you and Miro are still in danger.”

“...Unless we tell Councillor Talis.” Ekko cautiously spoke up, “He could protect you...right?”

Viktor honestly didn’t know what the answer was.

He knew that he wanted it to be though.

“I… believe that he could.” He whispered, voice as light as a feather floating in the wind, feeling like it had echoed off the walls, despite that not being possible.

It wasn’t that these officers were horrible company, and to be honest, he had come to appreciate Ekko’s help with Miro.

But all he had to do was look at Miro, and Jayce was a constant reminder, a constant ache poking into his side.

“Maybe… we need to tell Councillor Talis the truth then.” Violet cautiously stated. “That might be the only way to make this case move forwards.”

BANG

BANG

BANG.

They all turned to the door, as Vi went over to answer it.

“Caitlyn?” Was all that Viktor heard, before there was an exclamation of shock, and someone was rushing into the home.

Ekko moved to stand defensively in front of Viktor and Miro, freezing when Jayce was the one who appeared in the doorway of the room.

“Viktor.” He whispered.

“…Jayce.”

Chapter Text

“Viktor.”

“…Jayce.”

Silence.

“I…am going to make some tea.” Ekko muttered, deciding that the pair probably needed some time alone, looking over at Vi and Cait, trying to surreptitiously tell them to make themselves scarce as well.

They were frozen in place though, as Ekko tried not to groan.

Slowly, he looked back at Viktor and Jayce, who were still staring at each other. In the end, it was Jayce who made the first move, slowly moving closer, reaching out and cupping Viktor’s face, eyes searching his face, drinking his fill.

That was the moment when Vi and Cait finally came back to themselves, moving past the stunned couple, grabbing Ekko and pulling him into the kitchen.

“Cait.” Vi whispered, “What the fuck?”

…..

Viktor didn’t look any different from the day he’d last saw him, those eyes glittering just a little, hair sticking out in all directions. His thumb swiped under those eyes, over those dark bags that indicated a lack of sleep.

“Viktor.” He whispered, voice cracking oh so slightly, and that was enough for Viktor’s face to crumple as he leant forwards and buried his face into Jayce’s chest, back trembling a little.

“I- “

“- It wasn’t you.” Jayce whispered, “Caitlyn told me everything. About how you weren’t anywhere near the explosion, that-that you received a note from me about how-how I wanted nothing to do with you or our child- “

“- I should have seen that it was a forgery though.”

“And I should have looked further into the explosion.” Jayce shook his head, one hand trailing down Viktor’s arm, intertwining their fingers without a second thought, “I-I should have done more instead of leaving it all to Mel.”

“…She wants you.”

“She wants the power marrying me will give her…But she’s not the one I love.” Gently, Jayce pressed a kiss to the top of Viktor’s head, making Viktor’s weight rest a little heavier on him.

“I love you too.”

“I know.”

There was a moment of silence, Viktor’s forehead resting against Jayce’s collarbone, trembling just a little as Jayce gently rubbed at his back, before cupping the back of his skull, messy hair brushing against his face. He pulled away momentarily and Viktor’s eyebrows knitted together, like he wanted to say something, “Did you and Mel…did you ever- “

“- Never.”

Viktor’s eyes fluttered closed in relief, throat bobbing up and down. When he spoke again, his voice quivered a little, “I was- they told me and all I could think of, was that she might have actually gotten what she wanted.”

“No.” Jayce chided softly, “No matter what happened, even if it was through mutual decision that we ended our relationship, I can’t think of anyone else I would be with. No one would measure up to you.”

Viktor moved his head before, searching his face for any signs that Jayce was telling the truth. Those eyes were still glimmering just a little, “Jayce.” He whispered.

Jayce wasn’t sure he could answer without his own voice trembling. He cupped Viktor’s cheeks, leaning down to press a kiss to his temple, pressing himself up against his husband and close as he could, letting Viktor know that he was right there.

That he wasn’t going anywhere.

Without words, he hoped that Viktor would understand.

….

Mel paced her rooms.

She knew that there was more than a small chance that her story wouldn’t be believed. Her popularity had decreased over the years.

Marrying Jayce Talis, the Golden Boy of the city, would have helped with that, but Jayce had remained stubborn.

She stopped in the middle of the room. Getting Viktor to leave had been easy.

Sending the notes had been impulsive; hiring the thug to fire at Viktor even more so.

And now it was all going downhill.

And to think, the week had started out so simply.

It was all coming undone.

She couldn’t allow that to happen.

….

Viktor hummed softly as he left the home.

It had been nearly a week since Jayce’s reappearance into his and Miro’s lives. Today was the first day that he’d been able to convince his husband to go back to the office, as he and Miro packed.

And then it turned into Miro going with Jayce to the office as Viktor packed.

He didn’t mind.

Miro adored Jayce.

He practically clung onto him with every bit of strength that he had as Jayce moved around the apartment, which made things a little difficult, but Jayce had waved off any protests that Viktor tried to bring up with their son.

“Viktor!”

He looked up, seeing Ekko waving at him, prompting him to wave back.

“Hello Ekko.” he chuckled, “I presume you’re my escort for the day?”

“Well, with us not officially charging you-know-who yet, it was decided that you still needed a guard when a certain Mister Talis is away.” he looked around, “Where’s the kid?”

“With his Dad for the day.”

Ekko smiled softly, “I bet it feels good to say that, hm?”

“It is...different. But yes, it is nice.”

“I bet....to the supermarket then?”

“Yes. I had quite forgotten how much food Jayce could get through.” Viktor chuckled, “Your help with the bags will be greatly appreciated.”

….

“She’s not in today for some reason.” Cait sighed as she rested against Jayce’s desk, “And whoever she hired to do her dirty work for her, have covered their tracks well.”

“Anything on her end?”

“Nothing.”

Jayce sighed, looking over at Miro, who was playing with the new toys that Jayce had bought him, making up some sort of story in his mind.

He was so cute.

He loved him so much.

Still staring at his son, he vaguely heard Cait’s phone go off.

“…Shit.”

He looked up at the quiet curse, frowning when he saw the look on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“…Ekko’s been attacked.”

……..

“Eyewitnesses?”

“An old man and a pregnant woman who were shopping.” Vi sighed as they headed down the hospital corridors, “Apparently, the men held themselves like they were Enforcers, but weren’t wearing the uniform.

Jayce tightened his grip on Miro a little.

“Will the eyewitnesses testify in court to that.”

“They were too scared to intervene, so I’m not sure we should ask. It probably won’t hurt though.” Cait sighed, “Jayce… he was meant to be with Viktor today.”

Jayce felt his heart sink.

Chapter Text

“He’s bleeding internally.” The Doctor whispered, “He’ll make it, but we need to get him into surgery and soon!”

“Just a few questions, I promise.”

Jayce nodded. He’d handed Miro off to Vi as he and Cait entered the room, seeing that Ekko was still conscious, eyes frantically searching his surroundings.

“Ekko.” Cait whispered, “Can you tell us anything about who did this?”

“Jay-ce.” Ekko’s words sounded muffled under the oxygen mask that covered his nose and mouth, “Vik-tor.” He jerked, blood dripping from his lips and into the mask.

“Viktor?” Jayce leant in a little closer, “What about Viktor?”

He’d tried calling his mate, only to remember that his number had obviously been changed so it was going to the usual voicemail that he’d been calling over the fast couple of years.

“Vik..tor…was…wit’ me.” Ekko coughed up even more blood.

He needed to get to surgery.

“He…” Ekko’s head lolled to the right, and he lost consciousness.

“We’re getting him to surgery, right now!” And then Ekko was being rushed away, leaving Jayce feeling sick in the middle of the room.

“Jayce?”

“I-I need to get back to Viktor’s, I-I need to make sure that he’s okay.” Jayce blurted out, “Can- did the witnesses say anything about another man being with them?”

“No.”

“I-I still should check on him.” Jayce whispered.

Maybe Viktor was back at home...maybe Ekko had already dropped him off before he was attacked?

“We’ll keep an eye on Miro.” Cait reassured him, “Go and check on him. Call me if you find anything.”

And then his phone started to ring.

Jayce grabbed it from his pocket, answering it immediately and putting it up to his ear, “Viktor?”

“Not quite Mister Talis.”

Jayce froze, recognising the voice immediately.

“Silco?”

“Viktor is here, before you start panicking and running all around the city.” Silco sighed, “We’re at The Last Drop in Zaun.”

“How- forget it, is he hurt?”

“Singed is looking after him.”

Running to the car, Jayce desperately tried to remember the address of The Last Drop, remembering Viktor describing the place with no small amount of fondness when talking about his childhood. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“...It’s bad.”

Fuck.

Jayce stepped on the gas.

….

“We found him on the outskirts of Zaun.” Silco greeted Jayce without even a hello, “Dumped there like he was nothing.”

“Were there any witnesses?”

“None.”

Jayce cursed under his breath, only to freeze when he saw drops of blood lining the floor. “I- “

“- Vander carried him into the back room.” Silco explained, seeing where he was looking, “It’s- just come on.”

They came to a stop in front of a large wooden door, that Silco knocked at. “Councillor Talis is here.” He called out, “Is he alright to come in?”

Jayce tried not to bounce from foot to foot, not wanting to look too impatient. He didn’t hear the reply, but it must have been a positive one as Silco stepped to one side, letting Jayce enter the room. He entered the room, giving Viktor the time to get accustomed to his presence.

It was dark.

Worryingly so.

Which meant that the squeak that left his mouth was completely warranted when a tall, lanky man emerged form the shadows, it taking his mind a few moments to recognise him as Singed.

“He needs rest.” Singed stated, “Do not make him too stressed.”

“I-I won’t?”

He watched as Singed left, leaving the room in darkness as Jayce just focused on breathing.

“Jayce?” A familiar voice called out, “Is…is that you?”

“Yeah, yeah it’s me.” Jayce couldn’t quite contain his relief, reaching out to find the light switch, switching it on as a bright light illuminated the bedroom.

Oh.

Viktor sat in the centre of the bed; blankets wrapped tightly around him. Not even the blankets could hide the tremors that rocked his body though. He didn’t look up at Jayce, pulling the blankets even closer around him, clearly in pain.

“Viktor…let me help.” He moved quickly, wrapping one arm around his husband’s waist, trying not to pull back when Viktor flinched, “Where-where ae you hurting?”

“I-I’ll survive.” Viktor did his best to stay on his feet, but he had trouble with that on his best days, so it was no surprise when he wobbled dramatically, Jayce’s grip on him tightening to stop him from taking an ugly fall.

“You might survive, but that doesn’t mean that you’re fine.” He tried to catch Viktor’s eyes, but those golden eyes remained evasive, hidden from him, “Viktor…what happened?”

“…We were attacked.” Viktor’s grip on him tightened, “Is-is Miro okay?”

“Miro is completely fine.” He supported Viktor as they made their way out of the room. He was tempted to let Viktor sit down, so that his husband could catch his breath, but it was imperative that he got him to the hospital.

Not that Singed wasn’t good, but…his methods were a little questionable at times.

Silco was already waiting for them.

It was clear that Viktor was on the verge of passing out, possibly even going into shock, despite Singed’s efforts. His limping was growing worse, and Jayce knew that they couldn’t waste anymore time. He slipped his hands beneath Viktor’s knees and back, remembering where the sore points were, before lifting him up.

“Jayce!”

At least he was well enough to protest.

Jayce’s breath caught when he saw Viktor’s face fully for the first time, seeing the words that had been carved onto his forehead.

Undercity Trash.

Did Viktor know?

Is that why he refused all eye contact?

“Jayce?” Viktor shakily wiped away the drying blood that clung to his eyelashes, “What is wrong?” He then turned away, as Jayce was sure that had he had the strength to do so, the other man would have pushed away from him.

He knew what had been carved there.

Jayce turned his attention ahead, his grip tightening a little, knowing that whoever was responsible for this, was going to pay for it.

It took him a bit to realised that Viktor had passed out.

“We’ll give you a lift.” Silco stated, “Our cars are a little…faster.”

Aka, traffic laws would probably not be obeyed.

Jayce couldn’t care in the slightest.

Chapter Text

Jayce paced the waiting area. The only major injuries that Viktor had were a dislocated should and a sprained ankle (unfortunately on the stronger leg). Despite the spectacular bruising, Viktor was in no immediate danger…but the words carved into him?

“Jayce!”

He turned to see Vi and Caitlyn rushing over to him, Miro in Caitlyn’s arms, looking a little overwhelmed by the whole situation.

“How is he?”

“Dislocated shoulder, sprained ankle, a lot of bruising and he’s probably in shock.” Jayce managed to fight down his rage, taking Miro into his arms. They all needed their wits about them if they wanted to catch the bastards who did this and pin Medarda for the overall crime.

Viktor needed them.

“The doctor is just wrapping up the paperwork.”

“Does he have to stay the night?” Caitlyn asked, “Because if he does, I need to arrange security to be here.”

As if on cue, the Doctor emerged from the side room, taking in the small group before heading over to them. “Councillor Talis, I sense there’s a story about the re-emergence of your mate, but another time maybe.”

“Please.”

“Well, he’s very lucky. He might not see it that way when he wakes up, but it could have been a lot worse. His right shoulder is dislocated and his stomach, back and shoulders are badly bruised. His left ankle is sprained, but there are no internal injuries.”

“What about the…” Jayce bit at his lower lip nervously, “…What about the words on his forehead?”

“We’ve disinfected and bandaged it… I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“Can they be removed or-or- “ Jayce couldn’t get the words out, feeling a steadying hand on his shoulder, looking over to see Vander standing there, a silent show of support.

“In time.” The Doctor quietly reassured him, “The skin tissue needs to heal first. In a first weeks, we can have him see a surgeon who can replaced the damaged skin using skin from another, more suitable area.” He drew in a deep breath, “My concerns is the psychological impact this will have on him.”

“Can- are you keeping him overnight or can I take him home?”

“He’s in shock.”

“I-I can- please? He hates hospitals.”

The Doctor examined him for a moment, before sighing, “I want to keep him here for another hour. We need to finish some tests, but he can go home once we’re done. I’ll write him a prescription for pain pills, which will also help him sleep. Make sure he stays off his feet and gets some rest.”

Jayce nodded, looking over at Caitlyn, “I need some help packing up some stuff from Viktor’s home, clothing and stuff. If this is who we think, then we need to get them somewhere safer. She wouldn’t dare send anyone to my home.”

“Of course. We can do that.” Caitlyn then turned to Vi, ”Focus on getting some descriptions of the men who did this. Cross examine those descriptions with any Enforcer who was off duty, or who can’t be found at the time.”

“Consider it done.”

Jayce watched them leave, bouncing Miro up and down in his arms, before going and resting against the nearest wall. “We can do this… right?” He looked down at Miro, who simply stared back at him, “Yeah… we can do this.”

….

“You can come and see Viktor now.” The Doctor emerged from the room about an hour later, “You can take him home after I sign the release forms and make sure you fill out these prescriptions before you leave.”

“Thank you.”

“He’s still a little sedated, we’ll wheel him out of here, when you’re ready.” He then left the room to finish the paperwork.

Jayce headed into the room, Miro lightly dozing in his arms, “Hey Viktor.” He walked closer to the bed, studying the bruised face. The eyes were closed, but Jayce had been mated and married to the man long enough to know that he was awake, despite the three-year gap, “Viktor?” He placed his right hand on Viktor’s arm, thankful that a bandage covered up the vile words.

Viktor finally opened his eyes and Jayce fought not to cringe, hoping that Miro didn’t wake up. He would not want to see this. Popped blood vessels coloured the white of Viktor’s right eye, turning it red.

“Are you okay?”

“Mm.” Viktor tried to prop himself up on his elbows, as Jayce acted quickly, assisting him as best he could, “H-how is Ekko?”

Those usually sparkling eyes were dull and lifeless, prompting Jayce to reach out and take a hold of his husband’s hand, rubbing at the skin, trying to reassure him that everything was okay. “Ekko’s in intensive care…. He should be fine, but the injuries were serious.”

“…They grabbed me before I could do anything.”

Jayce frowned, hearing the guilt in Viktor’s voice. “Don’t blame yourself for any of this.” He gently scolded the other man, “This wasn’t your fault…we’re going to find the people responsible for this.”

Viktor finally looked up at him, “…Do I have to stay here?”

Hearing the tremor in his lover’s voice, knowing that it stemmed from his dislike of hospitals, “The Doctor’s are letting you go… but because your arm is in a sling and your ankle is a little sprained, they don’t want you to be alone.” He cleared his throat, “I-I was thinking that maybe you should move back in with me.”

“…The old apartment?” Viktor didn’t seem to know what to do about this.

“We decided that your new apartment possibly wasn’t the safest so…” Jayce’s words trailed off, before changing the subject, “…Caitlyn will probably want to take a statement from you at some point, if that’s okay?”

“…we were leaving the grocery store…they surrounded us.” Viktor’s breathing was coming in short spurts as his memories became too real, as Jayce panicked just a little.

He didn’t mean right now!

“They pulled me away… did this.” Viktor weakly gestured at his brow, “It-it hurt so much, all the kicking and hitting and- “

He was starting to panic.

“It’s okay.” Jayce hushed him gently, “We can talk about this- “

“- I-I do not remember what they looked like.” Viktor’s breath hitched a little, moving a little, only to hiss when he tried to move his sprained ankle. However, when Jayce tried to help, he shot him a vicious look. “I can do this.”

“I know Viktor.” Jayce backed off a little, “I know.”

“…I am sorry. I am not angry with you, it is- “

“- At the moment, you don’t have anyone else to be angry with.” Jayce whispered. Viktor was angry at whoever had done this to him, but if he couldn’t take it out on them, then he would shout at Jayce instead.

It wasn’t fair, but Jayce knew that Viktor knew this.

Seeing that his husband was shivering a little, Jayce gave him a soft smile, “Do you want me to get you some clothes?”

“No… I just want to leave.”

“I’ll go and get the wheelchair.”

Chapter Text

"I'll get the wheelchair..."

Jayce was a little taken back when Viktor scowled at him. “I do not need a wheelchair.”

“Um.” Remembering their early days, when Jayce often put his foot in his mouth and said the wrong thing, he quickly decided that maybe the right thing to do was keep quiet for now. Let the Doctor try and persuade him about the wheelchair. Placing Miro on the bed, hoping that the toddler might cheer the omega up a little, he headed back out into the corridor, seeing the Doctor pushed a wheelchair towards them.

"I finished the paperwork and here are Viktor's prescriptions, I already got them filled."

“Thanks.”

“How is he?”

“…Angry.”

“Better than scared.”

Jayce looked behind him, seeing Silco standing there, a frown on the man’s face. “I suppose.” He sighed, before looking back at the Doctor, who looked a little uncertain at the words.

“Well, I want to see Viktor in four days… I’ve already scheduled the next appointment.”

“Thank you…I’ll make sure he’s there.”

 "He might want to talk to a councillor about what happened. We have some excellent psychologists here.”

“I’ll talk to him about it.”

It wasn’t going to happen.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the wheelchair into the other room, only to freeze when he saw Viktor swaying on his feet, Miro watching nervously from the bed.

“Viktor!” He raced over, catching the omega before he could fall and gently helping him into the wheelchair, grabbing on the of the blankets at the end of the bed and tucking it around the other man, placing on his lap, “Okay.”

Viktor did not look impressed as he was pushed out of the room, the Doctor clearing his throat.

“Now, I want to see you in four days. In the meantime, you need to rest and stay off your feet. Keep that sling on and try not to roll onto your stomach during the night. Is there…anything you want to ask me?”

“…Can it be removed?”

He didn’t need to explain what he meant.

“Viktor…”

“Nyet! I want to hear this.” Viktor concentrated on the Doctor, “Can it be removed?”

“The words can be removed.” The Doctor said reassuringly, “I have a friend who can do it.”

Jayce sighed in relief, clearing his throat. “Let’s get that sorted then.” He whispered, “Home first though.”

……

“…We are not going back to my apartment then?”

“No.” Jayce winced, “I-I thought it might be safer if you stayed with me.”

“And you didn’t think to ask?!” Viktor hissed, “I can take care of myself.”

“But it’s not just you anymore!” Jayce snapped back, “We were lucky that Miro was with me today, but what if he hadn’t have been? What if- “

“- I took care of him for three years! With no help from you!”

“Because I thought you were dead and I’m not about to let that actually happen!”

An awkward silence filled the car, as Viktor turned to look out of the window. Miro was still fast asleep, thankfully, as Viktor sighed. “I don’t want to invade your home Jayce. We have spent three years apart, I cannot imagine this will be an easy transition like you hope it to be.”

“…I was going to ask you to move in at some point this week anyway.” Jayce sighed, giving Viktor a sheepish smile when he turned to look at him in shock, “It’s your home as well, it has been since...everything that happened.”

“I’ll need to pick up a few things.”

“That we can do.”

Quickly though.

He didn’t want to risk anyone following them, even though Viktor’s new location would probably be the worst kept secret in the entire city.

Still, best not to help them.

….

He helped Viktor enter the building leading him to the elevator that he remembered his love refusing to use so many times over the course of their relationship. To be fair, a lot of the time, it was very busy, but they seemed to get lucky today.

Viktor was a little unsteady on his feet (understandably really), Miro limping on ahead of them as Jayce helped Viktor into the elevator.

“Not far now.”

“I know...” Viktor nodded his head sleepily, “... I remember.”

Jayce led him over to the apartment, opening the door as Miro made his way inside. He steered Viktor towards one of the sofas, helping him sit down, wincing when Viktor almost collapsed into the cushions, shivering a little.

“Are you cold?”

“A bit.. but do not worry about it.”

Jayce knew what this was.

Viktor had this ‘thing’ about being seen as a burden, and Jayce understood why he had this mindset, but after what happened, the omega was entitled to be fussed over.

“Viktor- ”

“The bathroom is still just down the corridor, correct?” Viktor interrupted him, “Can Miro share your bed with you?”

“I- “

Viktor stared at him, and Jayce relented, knowing that arguing would only do more harm than good. “Okay… I’ll get you one of the winter duvets. It might get a bit chilly later on, and then you can have some of the medication.” Another pain pill would knock Viktor out and he wanted him to be at least as comfortable as possible when that happened.

He ignored the look Viktor shot him, so used to seeing it before all this.

Viktor allowed him to put the pillow beneath his head, readjusting the sling that had been slipping. Adding another pillow, he gently placed his hand on his husband’s cheek, “Don’t try to move about too much, okay? Do you need me to pick up anything from the store?”

Sleepy eyes met his.

“Sweet-milk?”

“Ah.” Jayce rubbed the back of his head, “That- I already have that.”

“Fresh?”

“Yes.” Jayce looked away, “I- I struggled with you gone and sometimes making a cup of sweet-milk helped…calm me down. It was like you were in the room.”

There was a side look in Viktor’s eyes as his head lolled to the side. “S-sorry…”

“You have nothing to apologise for…don’t fall asleep yet though. You need to take your medication.” He collected the pills and filled a glass with water, “Here, let’s get you sat up a bit.” He struggled to get Viktor sitting up a little, placing the pill in the palm of Viktor’s hand, waiting for him to swallow it, before giving him a glass of water.

Viktor’s grimace said it all.

Jayce wondered how long it would be before the omega grew fed up with only being able to use one arm.

“It’s been years since someone’s helped me like this.” Viktor whispered, breaking the awkward silence between them.

“Silco- “

“- Had a business to run and it was my decision to leave… even if it was under false pretences.”

Hating the idea of Viktor being alone with no help, Jayce’s heart ached. He forced a warm smile onto his face, “Well, you’d better get used to it again.” He was gently rubbing Viktor’s knuckles, reassuring him, “Go to sleep. You’re safe here. I’ll make sure that Miro is all sorted and ready for bed.”

“Thank you.” Viktor’s eyes closed and his breathing deepened.

Chapter Text

Miro didn’t think that he liked this house much.

It was very big and there was an entire table that was full of interesting, shiny things that he wasn’t allowed to touch.

“Maybe you can watch a film?” His Papa asked him, “A nice film?”

“I wanna play with those though!”

“Well, those are dangerous.” His Papa picked him up and put him in front of the TV, “Beauty and the Beast? It’s a great film…reminds me a little of Silco and Vander if I’m honest.”

The last part was muttered, but Miro heard him all the same.

A lot of people muttered around him, thinking that he couldn’t hear him.

Crossing his arms with a pout, he stared as the film started to play.

And then he was silent.

…..

Jayce sighed in relief when Miro settled down, seeing that Viktor was asleep in the other room. Perfect timing as well, as there was a beeping in the other room, indicating that someone was trying to call him.

“Caitlyn.” He answered with a sigh in relief, “Please tell me that you’ve got some good news.”

“We’ve tracked down some more witnesses, one of whom recognised two of the Enforcers. I have Vi on her way to arrest them, she can handle it. I’ve also passed the information onto Silco, just in case they decide to try and escape into the dark streets of Zaun.”

“...There were more than two who attacked him though.”

“Once we have those two, I'm sure they’ll give up the others quickly enough.” She paused, “How’s Viktor doing?”

“Not brilliantly, but more angry than anything else.”

Angry, Jayce could work with. He wasn’t sure he could handle a depressed and terrified Viktor, having never really had any experience with that.

“I forgot how tough he was.” Caitlyn chuckled, “We’ve got forensics looking over the area, seeing if there’s any more hints about what happened.”

“Thanks.”

“Take care of your family Jayce. I’ll let you know if there are any new developments.”

“Thanks Cait.” He terminated the call, slipping the phone into his pocket, before looking around the room.

What would they need for the next few days?

Probably some more, fresher ingredients for sweet-milk.

Thank god for good shopping apps, because he didn’t want to leave Viktor and Miro alone and this was just so much easier. He tried hard to be quiet when he made his way into the kitchen, balancing the groceries, trying not to drop anything on the ground as Viktor was literally just in the other room. He managed to put everything away quietly, peeking in on Miro, sighing in relief when he saw that the toddler was transfixed by the film that was playing.

He then went to check in on Viktor, watching him sleep for a moment. His love was still on his back, with a cushion supporting his injured arm. Slowly, he moved closer, letting his fingers gently stroke the long locks, pushing the hair away from the omega’s face. The bruising was getting worse and he couldn’t help but stare at the bandage on his head.

He forced himself to move away, wondering if he could sleep on the floor beside the sofa…would that be too uncomfortable?

Forget it.

His back would be fine.

………

Miro had settled down easily enough once the film was over, and Jayce had succumbed to sleep not long after that.

When he woke the next morning, stretching out, he yelped at the sight of the toddler sitting right next to him on the floor, eyes fixated on his face. “How-how long have you been sitting there?”

Miro shrugged, as Jayce looked over at Viktor, relieved to see that he was still asleep.

Sighing, he went to go and get breakfast ready, deciding that he was going to call Caitlyn before getting anything done.

She picked up instantly.

“It’s just me.” He stated, before she could even say hello or ask who was calling her.

//I figured… I need you here Jayce. \\

“…What about Viktor? There are still people out there.”

//I know. \\

“…I can’t leave them here.”

Viktor was stirring on the sofa.

//I can have Vi keep an eye on them until we’re done. You know she can handle it. \\

“…I don’t know.” Jayce whispered, “Can’t you come here? And if Viktor wakes up and I’m not there… the pain pills knocked him out big time, he’s going to be groggy and confused all day.”

//One hour…that’s all. \\

“…Deal.”

He hung up, looking back over to the sofa, only to see Viktor staring blindly at the ceiling. “Hey, morning…how are you feeling?”

He knew that it was probably time for another pain pull, and maybe a shower would help to improve Viktor’s spirits as well…well, a bath, to try and keep the bandages dry.

Later.

Viktor blinked slowly, “Sorry…I didn’t know where I was. I-I barely recognise the place?”

“Yeah, I- I moved some things around.” He cleared his throat, “Did you want to get changed into something more comfortable?”

“I could actually do with a bath.”

“We can do that later?” Jayce bargained, “Cait wants to see me at the station.”

“Station? You’re leaving?” Viktor’s voice trembled a little, before he cleared his throat, “Good news I hope.”

“I hope so… Vi’s going to come and keep you company.” He gave Viktor a reassuring smile, “She might wear Miro out a little. He was staring at me when I woke up this morning.”

“Hm, he does that.” Viktor tried to push himself upright, only for his eyes to widen at the pain that swept through his body.

There wasn’t a spot that didn’t hurt.

“You can tell Vi that I don’t need a babysitter, surely she has better things to do?”

“She volunteered, and you try telling her no.” Jayce gently helped him sit up, neatening the blankets around him, “Come on...ca I help you get dressed?”

“...Just like old times, hm?” There was no masking the bitterness in Viktor’s voice.

Jayce just pressed a gentle kiss to Viktor’s forehead.

“Can’t we come with you to the station?” Viktor then asked.

“You’re on bed rest, and it’s really only for a quick chat. Nobody is going to get past Vi.” He pressed another kiss to his forehead, “Concentrate on healing. Now, what are you fancying for breakfast?”

“…Whatever you feel like making.” Viktor then grimaced when he saw Jayce grabbing the pain medication, “Oh, I do not need those.”

“You remember what the doctor said, with Singed agreeing…one of these every twelve hours.” He chuckled, handing one over as Viktor swallowed it, “I’ll make your favourite.”

“…I think I might want to sleep some more.”

“Something small to eat then?”

“Please.”

Jayce nodded, letting out a little sigh of relief.

They could only go up from here.

Right?

Chapter Text

Vi moved quietly, trying not to disturb the sleeping man on the sofa too much, glad that Miro was also taking a nap, because she was reasonably sure that she couldn’t use the same techniques she used on Powder once upon a time, to keep him calm.

That and little explosions weren’t very restful.

She had listened to all of Jayce’s instructions, before waving him off and settling down as best she could, eyes on the only entrance and exit into the room.

….

Viktor hated feeling this sleepy.

Gingerly, he opened his eyes, frowning when he saw the light coming into the room. Blinking his eyes, he managed to push himself upright. Everything ached, but the pain pills were taking the edge off of it.

"Hey, did you sleep well?"

Surprised, he looked to his right, seeing Vi standing there, only just remembering that Jayce did mention that she'd be there….and he needed to go to the bathroom. Cautiously, he pushed the blankets to one side, placing his feet on the floor. Pain shot up both legs…one from his previous disability and on the other leg from the sprained ankle, leaving him nearly breathless.

He felt a bit sick.

“Woah! What are you doing?”

“I…need to go.” Was he blushing? He felt like he was blushing.

Vi moved quickly and steadied him, “Well…I can at least help you there!”

“I would really rather do this on my own.”

Looking a little uncertain, Vi looked around, “Jayce will rip me a new one if I let anything happen to you.”

Sighing, Viktor decided to let it go, once they were at the door, Viktor turned to her. “I can manage from here.” He pushed himself away and entered the bathroom, trying not to smile when he saw that there were still the poles and other accessories that Jayce had installed to help when they first moved in together.

He relieved himself, before limping to wash his hands. Staring into the mirror, seeing that his face was black and blue, he winced at the sight. The bandage hid the cruel words, his eyes were dull and lifeless and his hair was more of a mess than usual.

He needed to at least wash.

That might make him feel a little better.

The words…they were right there beneath the bandage.

Why did they do it?

He wanted it removed…tears pooled in his eyes, but he fought them. He wasn’t going to cry, he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Instead, he focused on the anger.

Jayce and Cat would catch them, find the evidence that Mel had tried to ruin his life once again, and make sure that she would never get the chance to do it again.

Just thinking about those cruel words made him sick, his stomach starting to act up. He hated throwing up, trying to regain control of his emotions.

He wasn’t having a panic attack.

He just wasn’t!

….

“Viktor? Is everything okay? Do you need help?” Vi listened closely, hoping to hell that the omega was alright.

“Just need a moment.”

…..

Viktor turned away from the mirror, moving to leave, only to frown when he saw just how close Vi was to the door. “No need to hover.”

Vi ignored the tone, steering Viktor back to the sofa, feeling relieved when the other man was finally sitting down again.

“Do you want something to drink? Eat?”

Viktor was about to decline, only to realise just how thirsty he was. “Some sweet milk would be lovely….if you could make enough for Miro as well when he wakes up?”

“Ummm, yeah. I think I still remember how to make that.”

Viktor chuckled. Vi had been just starting out in the Enforcer Academy when he went missing and would often find herself at the house to pass messages onto Jayce. Inevitably, she ended up making some sweet milk for Viktor, before her and Jayce headed out. His shoulder and leg ached as he watched her enter the kitchen, hearing her grab the ingredients from the cupboard.

When she brought it back, Viktor took the mug with a sigh of relief and sipped at the soothing liquid.

“Are there any new leads on the case?” He asked softly, as Vi shrugged her shoulders.

“They’re working on it. Jayce is really breathing down our necks to catch these guys and get the evidence that we need…I haven’t seen him this driven since the explosion.” She leant over, giving him a reassuring smile, “We’ll get them and her…I promise.”

“…Would you do me a favour?” Viktor stared into his sweet milk.

“What do you want me to do?”

“…Can you check and see how Ekko is doing? I feel…terrible that he was dragged into all this.” He had felt too groggy earlier or he would have asked Jayce to find out.

Vi drew in a deep breath, hating that she had to be the one to give this news. “He’s in a coma. His injuries were severe and during surgery, they managed to re-start his heart but…he never regained consciousness.”

Viktor felt sick at the thought.

“I’m sorry.”

“…What are his chances?” Viktor swallowed around the lump that formed in his throat, “Is there anything I can do?”

“I- “

“- I’ll call Singed.” Viktor hissed, trying to push himself to his feet, only for Vi to gently push himself back down.

“You’re injured, you need to rest.” She warned him, “Cait will get to the bottom of this. You know this.”

“…Yes, of course. You’re right.”

…

“How is he?” Jayce closed the door behind him, his first glance aimed at Viktor, who was lightly dozing on the sofa, and then Miro, who was playing with his toys on the floor. Viktor’s eyes were still open, but the draped expression in them showed just how tired he really was.

“I had to tell him about Ekko.” Vi whispered, “It…shook him up pretty badly, but he’s doing better.” She got to her feet, “Keep an eye on him, he’s…a bit too eager to get out there and do something. I’ll see you later. If you help again, I- “

“- I know. Thank you.”

Chapter Text

“Do you want to have a bath?”

Viktor nodded wearily, not taking his eyes off of Milo, who was very carefully practicing his letters. Jayce had very lovingly prepared them all something to eat. “I will not be much help.” He sighed, “My shoulder is stiffening up and my leg- “

“I’ll do all the work, don’t worry.”

“Milo- “

“-I’ll leave the door open, I can see him from here.”

Sighing, Viktor allowed himself to be led into the bathroom, wishing that this stripping situation was a little different as he was lowered into the comfortably warm water. It was similar to the early days of their marriage, when Jayce would help him with his leg…there were always overtones of flirtation there though, which eased the slight awkwardness.

He tried not to moan when the warm water soothed the ache just a little. However, when Jayce went to clean his hair, he couldn’t help but tense up, feeling those hands moving close to the horrible words carved into his face.

“Viktor, are you- “

“- You do not have to keep asking.” Viktor chided gently, “It’s just…” Gingerly, he lifted his hand and touched the bandage. "It's still there."

"You heard what the Doctor said. It can be removed." Jayce finished washing Viktor's hair and wrapped a fluffy towel around the wet mane.

“But it is still there…I feel like I am marked for life.”

Jayce had no response to that, merely taking Viktor’s hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it. “You’re not alone.” He whispered, “I swear that you’re not alone.” He arranged some towels on the floor, “Okay, on the count of three.” He reached into the water, gently lifting up him and out, keeping his gaze as respectful as possible.

Viktor was cold for a moment, before sighing in relief when the warm towels were then wrapped around him.

Once he was sat back on the sofa, dressed in warmer clothes, watching his son playing on the ground, babbling eagerly about nothing, he wished he could do more. He wished he could help Jayce prepare them something to eat…perhaps if he helped prepare it, he would feel more inclined to have something to eat.

“Viktor?”

“Hm?”

“I was thinking that I could make that stew you used to make? Or stir fry?”

“I-I’m not really hungry.” Viktor started hesitantly, “But…yes, maybe some stir fry?”

“One stir fry coming up!”

Viktor did love him.

…

Jayce had managed to get Milo tucked into bed with only one or two stories, rather than the three and four the toddler had been known to try and beg off of him. Now, it was Viktor’s turn.

“Comfortable?” He tucked the blankets around his husband’s form. Viktor had taken his pain pill and was dozing off again. Once Viktor was sound asleep, he planned on calling Cat to get an update.

“Da…com…for…table. Good idea…to sleep…on sofa.” Viktor sleepily blinked his eyes, trying to maintain eye contact, “Would not…want…me…in your…bed.”

“I always want you with me.” Jayce whispered, but it was clear that Viktor was too sleepy to understand. As Viktor’s eyes closed, Jayce gently caressed his cheek, fingers then moving to hover over the bandage.

He hoped that it could be removed.

“I want nothing more than to have you back with me.”

Nothing.

Viktor was sound asleep and Jayce leant in closer, pressing a gently kiss on the soft locks.

“Sleep well.”

….

Viktor bit his bottom lip, trying hard to remain silent; he didn’t want to disturb his son or Jayce’s sleep. He had just woken from a nightmare, one that he knew was coming. For the past few nights, he had been too drained for them, but they were tormenting his sleep now.

He was being chased.

He was able to run, with his son in his arms.

They kicked in the door where he was trying to hide them both, gaining access as they ripped Miro from his arms and beat them both, his sons’ cries echoing throughout his ears. He had woken with a scream on his lips, but he had managed to swallow it down, keeping his fear inside. Starin at the moon through the window, he pushed back the blanket and struggled to his feet.

Lying down made him feel vulnerable, so whilst stumbling, he made his way over to the large windows, taking a seat on the bay window. He leant against the wall, staring at the sky.

He was safe here.

He used to love this seat.

He could spend hours here.

“Viktor?”

He looked over his shoulder, seeing Jayce standing there.

“What’s going on? Why aren’t you on the sofa?” Jayce switched the light on, “Is everything okay?”

‘I had a nightmare.’ He couldn’t say those words out loud though, merely clearing his throat, “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Nightmare?”

How did Jayce always know?

“Come on, let’s get you back down.” Jayce helped him back over to the sofa.

“You need sleep as well.”

“I heard you getting up.” Jayce sighed, “I guess I’m…overly sensitive about noises now? After everything that’s happened…” His voice trailed off, but he didn’t need to say anything more, “I know- you might be more comfortable in the bed you know, I can sleep down in here.”

“Nyet, the sofa is fine.” Viktor averted his eyes.

“Well, if you have another nightmare, I really think you should move to the bedroom. I can bring an air mattress in there to share the room with you. I don’t care if I have to get up at night to help you into the bathroom, but I would feel better if I had you close.”

“You would?” Viktor arched an eyebrow, “Thank you, but- but I am okay here.”

“Do you think you can get back to sleep? It’s only four in the morning.” Jayce then realised that he was holding onto Viktor’s hand, rubbing at the knuckles there.

“I…do not think so.”

“How about some tea then? Not some sweet milk, you do need to sleep at some point.”

“…Chamomile then.”

“That I can do.” Jayce walked into the kitchen to boil some water. "Why don't you tell me what that nightmare was about?"

"I would rather not."

"It might help you deal with it," Jayce pointed out as he handed Viktor the mug filled with hot tea.

“…They were chasing me. I had Miro with me and…” His voice trailed off.

“You’re safe here, you know that, don’t you?” Worried, Jayce noticed the tremours that shook Viktor’s frame, hating that Viktor was still uncomfortable sleeping in the same room as him, whilst hating that he hated that.

"I will not feel safe until they're behind bars," Viktor said honestly. He sipped the tea and sighed as the chamomile soothed his nerves. "You do not have to run down here every time I have a nightmare."

“I was worried, you’d do the same for me. In fact, I remember you used to.”

“Hm.” Growing sleepy again, he handed the still half-full mug back to Jayce, lying back down and pulling up the blankets. "I think I can sleep now."

“Great.”

Jayce didn’t move to go upstairs.

“…Can you leave the light on?”

That way he could see the front door better.

“Sure…I can do that.” Jayce leant back in his seat, “Go to sleep, Viktor.”

"I think... I will..." Viktor's eyes closed, dozing off again.

This time, Jayce was staying close.

Chapter Text

Jayce knew this dream.

He’d been here before.

The ruins of the lab.

The apologetic looks on the faces of the police.

The grief slowly setting in.

“Please…please no. No, no, no, Viktor!”

….

Viktor startled awake, trying not to yelp in pain at the sudden jolt to muscles that objected to the abrupt motion. He sleepily rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, suddenly growing aware of the pleas coming from his right. He cocked his head and privately cursed his aching wounds when he twisted them a little too far.

Jayce?

What was Jayce doing sleeping here?

Had he spent the night here?

“Viktor…”Jayce was muttering, “…please, please no.”

“Jayce?” Slowly, he reached out and shook Jayce’s shoulder, watching as he startled awake himself, back off when Jayce took a moment to gather himself.

“Viktor.” Jayce rubbed at his eyes, “I- “

“- Yes?”

“…Did you need something?”

Viktor wanted to know more about what Jayce was dreaming about but figured that he could probably work it out. “No, I- “

“- I’m hungry!”

They both looked over to see Miro rushing into the room, hair sticking up in all directions as Jayce chuckled and got to his feet. “So his Majesty requires.”

“Bathroom first.” Viktor stated, “Wash your face.”

“But- “

“- Ah!”

Jayce watched as Viktor limped over to the bathroom, trusting that his husband could probably manage this and wouldn’t appreciate Jayce hovering over him. He could take this time to call Vi and see what was going on.

“Vi here.”

“Any news?”

“We have a location on the remaining suspects. I’m guessing you want to be there when they’re brought in for questioning? We’re hoping that one of them will spill the beans on whoever’s in charge.”

“I’ll be there, when do you want me?”

“Come by in an hour.”

“I’ll be there.” He ended the call, before heading towards the kitchen, “I- “

“- Is everything okay?” Viktor stepped out, still wobbly on his feet, “I was just making something for us all.”

“Vi located a couple of the attackers and I’m going in later today…in an hour actually.”

Viktor’s eyes widened as Jayce quickly reached out to steady him.

“Viktor, are you- “

“- You found them?”

"Two of them. Hopefully they'll tell on- “He cleared his throat, “Please sit down, I’ll finish breakfast.”

“Jayce- “ Viktor paused, before shaking his head and giving Jayce a warm smile, “- Thank you. Miro likes bagels if you have any?”

“I can do that.” Jayce went to do just that, before pausing, “Are you- are you both going to be alright here?”

“Oh yes.” Viktor cleared his throat, “We will be fine.”

He would be locking all the doors though.

“Go and get them. We will be fine here.”

Jayce looked unsure but nodded slowly.

….

Viktor watched Jayce walking down the street. Miro was playing with some sort of interactive toy on the floor, completely oblivious to the fact that his Mama was having a quiet breakdown near the window.

His leg was acting up despite the pain pill he’d taken, but he couldn’t stop watching the street, needing to know that no one was trying to come in.

Losing track of time, his eyes started to sting from the constant staring. He had lied to Jayce about being fine about all this, but he didn’t want to stop his husband from living his life.

The truth was, that he was terrified of being alone with the threat still out there.

How long before Medarda came knocking on the door, looking for them?

He no longer felt the pain in his leg and the room around him started to spin. Sliding down the wall, he fainted and everything went black, hearing his son screaming in the background.

…

“Something’s wrong.”

He had barely been gone an hour, and yet, he could hear his son sobbing in there, prompting him to practically kick the door open, Vi following on behind, gun drawn.

“Jayce- “

“- I shouldn’t have left him alone.”

Vi tried not to sound too relieved when she saw Jayce scooping Miro into his arms, crouching by Viktor.

“I think he fainted.” Jayce whispered.

“Do you need any help? Should I call someone?”

“…Can you take Miro?”

Once she had the toddler, gently shushing him, she watched as Jayce slid his hands beneath Viktor’s body and lifted him from the floor. Viktor’s eyes fluttered as his body hit the soft comfort of the sofa.

“Viktor?” Jayce whispered, “Viktor?” He adjusted Viktor’s arm so that it was comfortably, rubbing at Viktor’s hand.

“Mm?”

“Viktor…I think you fainted.” Jayce couldn’t stop himself from fussing, “I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

“I-I was keeping an eye on the street.” Viktor whispered, “To make sure- that-that nobody wanted to come in.”

“…I should have had someone come and stay with you.” Jayce cursed himself, checking Viktor’s leg as best he could, hoping that the fall hadn’t made matters worse.

Viktor managed a weak smile, touched by the concern. “I am fine, this was just a…set back.”

The wound on his head ached.

“Jayce…” Vi cleared her throat, “…we need Viktor to ID a couple of men.”

Jayce gently stroked the skin of Viktor’s wrist, not wanting to push him to agree, but knowing that he had to if they wanted this to end.

“I- Yes.” Viktor nodded sharply, “I will try.” He then looked down at his clothing, and then at Miro, “We should both get changed into something more suitable.”

“I can sort out Miro.” Vi gave him a gentle smile.

“And we can something for you.” Jayce nodded at Viktor, knowing that there was no chance that Viktor was going to go up against his possible attackers, looking less than put together.

“Thank you.”

….

Viktor nervously let his hair fall in front of his face, taking a deep breath as they headed into the station. The white bandage would draw people’s attention and he found himself staying as close to Jayce as possible.

“Viktor, are you okay?” Jayce hated this.

His husband used to be one of the most confident people he knew, despite his disability, and to have him shrinking back like this…he hated it. He could hear people whispering all around him. Those who recognised Viktor thought that they were seeing ghosts.

Some were whispering about how he had ran, knowing that he wasn’t good enough for Jayce.

That was a small minority however.

“I just want this over with.” He finally answered Jayce, limping along and refusing Jayce’s help, “I can do this.”

Jayce tried not to be hurt. He had gotten told off so many times in the past for trying to help Viktor, so he should be used to the refusal, though the harsh tone was a little unwarranted. “I think Vi said that they were in Interrogation Room 2.”

“…Do I have to see them face to face.”

He wasn’t sure he could do that.

“No.”

They both turned, seeing Cat heading towards them.

“Just look through the mirror and tell me if they were part of the group that attacked you.” She led them into the side room as Viktor headed to the false mirror.

His breath caught.

He would never forget those faces.

They haunted him in his nightmares.

“I-it’s them.”

Chapter Text

"It is them.” Viktor felt like he was going to pass out, “They are the ones who- “

“Deep breaths.” Jayce said reassuringly, resting a hand at the small of his love’s back, “One step at a time.”

“The one with the scar…he had the knife.” His vision was starting to blur, remembering seeing the light catching off the metal as it got closer and closer to his face

"I think you need to sit down... slow breaths, come on, slow breaths... Vi, can you get me a paper bag or something else?”

Viktor sat down heavily and tried to slow down his breathing, but nothing worked. He could still see them, and it felt like they were staring right back at him. “They-please, they can’t- “

“- They can’t see you.” Jayce assured him, “They don’t know you’re here.”

Viktor didn’t know which emotion was stronger, his hate or his fear. Listening to Jayce’s coaching, he began to calm down, “They-they followed me home.”

“And the man on the left was the one who cut you?” Cait phrased it carefully, not willing to evoke a panic attack.

“Da...and the other one...held me in place.”

“Okay.” She gave him a reassuring smile, “Great job, we have what we need. There’s no chance of them getting out on the streets now.”

“Thank you.” Shakily, Viktor managed to get back to his feet, “Can we go now Jayce?”

“Sure.”

Jayce didn’t like the look on Viktor’s face.

...

Viktor had been awfully quiet since they had returned to the apartment and the silence was making Jayce’s skin crawl. Viktor was sitting on the sofa, nursing a cup of sweetmilk.

Miro was sipping at his own mug, humming some nonsensical tune to himself as he watched something on TV.

Slowly, Jayce got up and went to sit next to his husband. “Viktor…is something wrong?”

“Nyet.”

“Please…please don’t lie to me.”

Viktor paused for a moment, before sighing, “I…worry that we have rushed back into out relationship too quickly. Moving in together like this- “

“- Do you regret it?”

“…I regret that it had to happen this way.”

“I-I agree.” Jayce sighed, “But less than a month ago, I thought you were dead sooo….” He drew in a deep breath, “…For all that I wish this event hadn’t happened, I’m glad that I found you again.”

“J-Jayce, I- “

BANG

BANG

BANG.

They both froze, with Jayce getting to his feet as he heard a key turning in the door.

“Who has a key here?”

“No one expect for- “

The door flung open and armed men poured into the room.

….

“Mel’s on the move!” Vi yelled, racing into Cait’s office, “Our inside man just said that she’s got her most loyal men to go to Jayce’s apartment!”

“To achieve what?!”

“…They all had guns.”

“…But Jayce is there as well!”

“She either doesn’t know that, or she doesn’t care!”

….

Viktor clutched his son to him, grimacing as his shoulder ached.

One of the men had managed to get a lucky hit in as he stumbled to grab his son, Jayce grabbing a large hammer from under the sofa (why?) to swing it at the attackers, who had no clue what to do. It was clear that they had no idea that he was going to be there in the first place, standing there in shock as they received broken legs and crushed ribs, falling to the ground in pained slumps.

The police would be here soon, they had to be.

“Scum.” Jayce spat, as the last of them collapsed to the ground, looking over at Viktor, wincing at the look of fear in his eyes, “Viktor, I- “

“- Hero.” Miro whispered from his Mama’s eyes.

“I- “

The door burst open and Vi and Cait burst in, eye widening when they saw the groaning attackers.

“You had it handled then?” Vi teased, before clearing her throat, “We’ll read them their rights. They’re not getting out of this.”

“They might need to go to the hospital first.”

“They can go there in cuffs then.”

Jayce moved to grab a blanket from off the back of the sofa, checking that there was no blood on it first, as he then wrapped it around his husband and son. “Are you alright? Do I need to have you seen first?”

“Jayce, I think they- “

“- You are more important than anything they rightfully are suffering with.”

Viktor sighed, rotating his shoulder as best he could only to wince in pain. “They got one hit in.” He admitted.

“Do you need a pain pill?” He was about to get up when Viktor’s hand suddenly reached for his, grabbing it tightly.

“I- do not- “

“- I’m just going to get the pills okay?” Jayce locked eyes with his son, “Miro, you can protect Mama, right?”

“Mm!”

Viktor slowly let go, all anger fading to be replaced by fear.

Jayce moved as quickly as he could to grab what was needed, jumping over whoever to get there. He made it back in record time, holding the water and pill out to him. “Here you are.”

Viktor swallowed it, relaxing as Jayce’s fingers ran through his hair, avoiding the bandage as best he could.

“Why don’t you lie down and get some rest?”

“It is barely one in the afternoon.” Viktor protested, “Far too early to sleep.”

And he was certain that he wouldn’t be able to sleep, not even if his life depended on it. He still heard their voices, heard their demeaning words and couldn’t get them out of his head.

Jayce nodded, seeing that he was in no mood to argue as he reached out and pulled his family closer.

“Jayce...stay with me?”

“Always.”

...

Mel had to leave.

She couldn’t be connected to this.

She had to go and formulate a new plan.

One that wouldn’t fail this time.

Chapter Text

Viktor felt warm.

It had been so long since he felt this warm and knew that it could only be for one reason.

“Jayce?”

“Hey.” Jayce smiled softly down at him, “How do you feel about having something to eat?”

“…Maybe something small?”

“I can do that.” Quickly placing a kiss to Viktor’s lips, Jayce went to get up, “I put paper on the walls to keep Miro busy. I think he likes the idea that he’s graffitiing.”

“Blame Jinx for that.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

...

Twenty minutes later, as they were eating, Jayce felt his phone buzzing in his pockets. Two separate messages.

Number one; Ekko was awake and looked set to making a full recovery.

Number two: Mel had been arrested trying to make her way out of the city.

Jayce relayed the news to Viktor, who looked more than a little relieved at the news.

“I would like to see him.”

“Sure.” Jayce was relieved that he’d said he and not she, “I can drop you off there?”

“Thank you.”

Neither of them mentioned Mel.

....

“No Viktor?”

“He’s with Vi and Ekko at the hospital.” Jayce stated, standing next to Cait, “I-I know this is a little unorthodox, but- “

“- I can’t let you speak to her. “Cait sighed, “But...you can watch from in here.”

He nodded.

That was good as he was going to get, he sensed.

He watched as Cait headed into the room, barely flinching when Mel sneering at her.

“You know why you’re here?” Cait spoke before Mel could berate her for anything.

Silence.

“You don’t have anything to say for yourself? My officers have said that you’ve waved your right to a lawyer.”

Silence.

“There are questions that need answering you know this.”

“What have I been charged with?”

“To name a few of the charges?” Cait raised an eyebrow, “Domestic terrorism, attempted murder, threats, conspiracy to commit assault and grievous bodily harm on two counts…I can go on.” She took the seat opposite, “I need to know why.”

“…He shouldn’t have come back.”

In the other room, Jayce forced himself to take deep breaths.

“What was that?”

“Viktor….it had been three years. Jayce was going to be mine, and him coming back ruined everything.”

“You threatening to have him killed ruined everything.” Cait pointed, “If you hadn’t done that, scaring him into calling the police, then Vi and Ekko wouldn’t have looked deeper into everything and pulled everything out into the open.”

“He looked happy…like he’d won.” Mel almost seemed to be talking to herself, “I couldn’t let him think that he would get everything that I deserved.” She looked Cait in the eyes, “I should have killed him myself. It’s clear that everyone else is incompetent.”

All of Jayce’s self-control disappeared as he lashed out and punched the window, catching both of them by surprise in that room as they looked over at the window.

Before Mel could try and speak to him through the glass, Jayce stormed out of the room, and then out of the building entirely, standing in the courtyard and looking up at the sky, taking deep breaths.

He heard the door opening, just knowing that it was Cait.

“Are you alright?” She asked softly.

“What do you think?”

“She’s going to be convicted. There’s no doubt about that.”

“…How did I not see it before. How did I not see how bad it was, how she felt?”

“Nobody suspected it, and nobody probably would have done if all this hadn’t happened.” Cait shook her head, “Odd how things work out, right?”

“Yeah...odd.”

....

Mel was charged and imprisoned, as were all her followers, including a shame-faced Marcus, who attempted to protest his innocence.

Viktor moved back in fully with Jayce and the words on his forehead were covered up with a successful surgery.

Miro was enrolled in school…and then bumped up several grades once he figured out the language.

Jayce had never been so happy.

He had his family again, and as Viktor re-took up his role as his partner in the company, they were back to spending nearly every hour together. Jayce didn’t want to admit it, but he felt a little empty when Viktor was gone.

He probably needed to speak to someone about that.

“Jayce?”

Jayce spun around, seeing the concerned look on his husband’s face, “Viktor, is everything okay?”

“Yes. Are you?”

He could say that everything was fine.

That he was brilliant…but he’d be lying.

“I keep thinking that this is all a dream.” He confessed, “That I’m going to wake up and find that it’s all gone.”

Viktor was silent for a moment, before moving closer and wrapping his arm around Jayce, “We’re here.” He whispered, “We’re not going anywhere.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

And Jayce believed him.