Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"I couldn't have done it without you..." Jayce stated sincerely, his eyes trailing back to Mel's. She had a light smile stuck on her face, as she always did when she looked at him. He liked it, though he felt shameful for deriving some pleasure from her feeding into his ego. Suddenly, she stood on her toes, getting close for a kiss. Her lips were as soft as they looked. He was surprised at first, not expecting her to make the first move so soon, but couldn't help giving in, grabbing her waist to support her weight.

Their lips moved in sync for a long while, the breeze on the balcony swaying their bodies as they were entangled. Even though Jayce felt butterflies in his stomach, knowing he had everything he could ever ask for, there was also a gut-pulling inkling that made him nearly nauseous. Viktor—that's what it was, always lurking in the back of his mind. For a moment, he felt as if Mel's lips cleared his head, at least temporarily. They both took a moment, huffing to catch their breaths.

"I think..." Mel stretched her words into soft whispers, "we should head back to my quarters." Jayce looked away, as if looking at her would cause him to agree. He stepped back as she lowered herself to her feet again. Awkwardly chuckling, he turned toward the edge of the balcony, looking out at the long view of Piltover's city lights while fixing his clothes.

"Jayce?" Mel questioned, gliding one hand over his shoulder and the other along his back. "Viktor. He's been working in the lab all day. The other day, when I looked into the import security, he had blood coming down his nose. He told me it was a headache..." Jayce took a moment to fix his hair, taking a deep breath, still refusing to look at Mel.

"I think we need to take it slow." Jayce tried to fit all his thoughts into one sentence.

"I understand," she responded immediately in a sincere tone. Jayce turned in slight surprise, and Mel gave him a sweet smile, as she always did. Her touch left him as she turned to leave, the clatter of her heels fading as Jayce found himself contemplating whether he should have let her go. After a while, checking the time, he finally left where he had stood for so long on the balcony, heading back to his partner, who he hoped would be home asleep in his bed by now.

As he reached the door of his lab, he was startled by Ms. Young walking out at the same time. "Sorry, sir," she apologized quickly while moving to let Jayce walk in first. He shook his head at her apology and held the door instead, gesturing for her to leave first.

"Viktor still here?" he asked as she made her way down the hall.

"Yes."

"Okay, have a good night, Ms. Young." Walking into the office, he heard Viktor sigh in irritation. The mechanical chimes of the mages being controlled spun and twirled in an attempt to communicate with the hexcore. Jayce scanned the papers along the tables of symbols that now surrounded the hexcore. Suddenly, Viktor angrily slammed his hands on the desk while jumping up from his stool. Jayce had never seen him so angry; papers wafted through the air as Viktor huffed through his frustration.

"Viktor?.." Jayce approached slowly.

"Jayce." He sounded surprised as he turned, losing his balance as his eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head. Jayce quickly grabbed his partner before he could reach the floor, allowing him to lean against him.

"Woah, buddy. You're ice cold." Jayce noted as he felt Viktor's arm while he tried to push himself back on his feet.

"It's always cold here. Why are you here?" His eyebrows furrowed, looking down at himself to avoid Jayce's hazel eyes.

"I didn’t get to enjoy the concert hall; politics got in the way," Jayce joked while helping Viktor move to a nearby table, still standing close, finding it comforting.

"You have lipstick smudged on your lips," Viktor pointed out, still seemingly catching his breath from his recent fit. Jayce became flustered; his body tensed as he quickly touched his lips with his fingers to see if there was a stain. Seeing a mix of dark brown and black, he quickly licked his lips for moisture and attempted to wipe the rest with the sleeve of his shirt.

Viktor couldn't help but watch with his weary eyes, still feeling weaker than usual as he leaned on his wrists, holding onto the table. "You can live your life without worrying about me. I'm not your child. I'm not an obligation."

Jayce picked up his gaze as Viktor stared at him; he seemed so tired. The scrawny man's attention landed back on the hexcore as the beaming light from within seemed to be calling to him, causing his head to throb. Feeling lightheaded once again, he coughed, struggling to keep himself up on the table.

"Vik, are you okay? You say you're not my obligation, but you're coughing up blood. I need to take you to a doctor."

Jayce reached to grab him, but his partner gestured him away. "I don't need your help," he stated sternly, limping away from Jayce while still holding onto the table. Jayce stayed close behind.

"Why are you being this way?" Jayce asked in a softer tone as he followed, Viktor wiping blood from his mouth swiftly. He could barely make it to the door of the lab without stumbling over himself.

"Stop," Jayce begged, holding Viktor up at this point. "You've moved up to politics, you're always with Mel, and that's your business now. Do you even care about changing the world at this point? Earlier, you asked me if what I was doing with the hextech was safe. You're...you're not who I thought you were anymore."

Viktor's gaze found itself almost admiring the hexcore once again, but Jayce moved into view, his face stern. "I didn't know what Mel was pushing me into, but I can handle where I am now. I still want to do this with you. I know I haven't been here as of late, but trust me. Please, just let me take you to a doctor."

Viktor sighed deeply, still holding onto a slight stubbornness in his heart, not wanting to forgive. Finally, he stood alongside Jayce, putting an arm over his shoulder as they moved into the hall.

It was a silent journey to the nearest infirmary. Jayce waited patiently outside the room as they examined Viktor thoroughly. It felt like forever, Jayce's nerves worsening by the second as he bounced his leg. When the door finally opened, he stood immediately, meeting the doctor's eyes.

"How is he?" The man's face stiffened, but his eyes conveyed that he had no good news.

"He has some type of cancer. We've detected it in many other patients, and we have not found a cure for what is making him ill from the inside. We do, however, have medicines and herbs to slow the process of the disease, but that's all we can offer."

Jayce tightened his lips, trying to hold back the tears he felt starting. "So what—do you have an estimate of how long he has?"

"If he takes care of himself and stops doing whatever is triggering it, I could say close to ten years. But for now, he needs to rest here for a few days." Jayce took deep breaths, trying to make it obvious how anxious he was becoming, nausea building in the pit of his stomach.

"Okay, thank you. Can I go in and check on him?" The doctor nodded in approval, stepping aside for him to walk into the room.

He stepped into the cozy room decorated with plain furniture and vased flowers. Viktor was covered with a red infirmary blanket, and a nasal cannula was in his nose. He twitched and turned his head frequently, as if having a terrible dream. It only made Jayce more distressed.

After a long while, the night became early morning, and then late. Natural light began to make the room glow a little more. Jayce had been going in and out of sleep in the uncomfortable chair he sat in. Blinking a couple of times, he noticed Viktor lying there, staring up at the ceiling blankly, his breathing unnoticeably slow as he lay still.

"Viktor, the doctors said you're..." Jayce couldn't bring himself to say it as he sat up, fixing his posture.

"How long do I have?" Viktor asked, now looking at Jayce.

Jayce's leg tapped along the floor once again. "The doctor said if you take care of yourself and take the medication they recommend, you could have around a decade."

Viktor chuckled softly, shifting his eyes back toward the ceiling. He closed his eyes slowly, as if no longer able to fight the exhaustion that came over him, and a light snore emerged as Jayce listened closely. Leaning his head back against the wall and allowing his spine to relax, Jayce let out a deep exhale of relief as he closed his eyes as well, both allowing sleep to overcome them.

Chapter Text

A few weeks after Viktor's doctor visit, Jayce had seemingly retired him to his home, and Viktor hardly ever got to work with the hexcore anymore. Though he couldn't admit it aloud, the break was somewhat a relief—not just for his mind but for his body. However, his determination to pursue his work made his thoughts whirl in his mind until he drove himself slightly mad. He began journaling, which wasn’t new to him, but he hadn’t done it in so long that it felt as if he’d forgotten how to write and describe his feelings.

Don’t be mistaken, though; Viktor was hardly ever alone during his retirement. In the late evenings to nights and early mornings to late evenings, Jayce would be there, helping around the house and with hextech research without the hexcore. To Viktor, something he would not admit was that he cherished the time they spent together deeply. He suddenly remembered how to express himself through words, and most of the pages in his new journal focused on Jayce and the particular things he started to notice about him. For instance, he discovered that Jayce was surprisingly a decent chef and that he seemed quite poetic when he wasn’t ranting about himself. But what Viktor really appreciated was that whenever he needed help, he never had to struggle; Jayce was always there to catch him before he fell, to reassure him when he felt doubt, and to look at him as if they were the only two people in the world.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, startling the scientist as he closed his notepad. Grabbing his cane, he hobbled to the front door. After unlocking the knob and chain at the top, he finally opened it to reveal Jayce. From his uniform, Viktor knew it was his partner, but he was also balancing a big cardboard box that was filled to the brim, along with two grocery bags that nearly covered his face.

"You're here late. Do you need help?" Viktor asked, jokingly concerned. Jayce snickered as he walked past, trying his best to not show any sign of struggle.

"Uh, no. I'm a strong guy. You shouldn't underestimate me," he bantered enthusiastically as he put the items down on the nearest table. Viktor shook his head in secondhand embarrassment, a smile stuck on his face. Hobbling over to a nearby chair, he sat down, leaning his cane against the wall closest while eyeing the box Jayce had brought in.

As Jayce took off his jacket and hung it on a coat hanger near the front door, he asked, "How are you feeling?" Approaching Viktor, he crouched in front of him, keeping a respectful distance. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

Viktor slouched back in the chair, contemplating how to beat around the bush without blatantly lying. "Something like that," he replied, avoiding Jayce’s gaze. Jayce frowned immediately, scratching his temples.

"Viktor..." Before he could start to lecture, Viktor spoke up. "I know I tried to rest, but it's hard. I feel so restless. I feel like every second I'm in here I'm wasting away..."

Jayce shook his head as if to disagree with Viktor’s feelings. "Well, you’re not. I know I’m not." He stood and walked over to the box, picking it up and bringing it over to Viktor, he dropped it by his feet. Inside were many journals from the lab, tools for creating small gadgets, and a small remnant of hexcore he could work with. Picking up the thick shard of magic stone, Viktor stalked its faint glow, feeling sorry for the tiny thing.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Viktor asked, knowing the answer but still wanting to hear it. Jayce started taking fruits and vegetables out of the bags.

"I've come to the conclusion that the hexcore communicates with you differently than it does with me. I spoke with Heimerdinger about it, and of course, he was not happy with anything I had to say. But the hexcore does, in fact, learn—and in the same way it learns, it also takes." Jayce continued, moving into the kitchen with the ingredients, pulling out a drawer for the kitchen towels and aprons. "It's the thing that has been making you weaker. Heimerdinger was quick to want to dismiss hexcore altogether. But we can't just do that. So in the council, I've decided that I alone will be the only person allowed to experiment with the hexcore unless I grant permission."

He started to cut up some onions, the scent filling the kitchen and parlor.

"Hm, and is this you granting me permission?" Viktor teased.

"Possibly..." Jayce replied with a smile, returning to his task.

"But as much as I believe that it is harming you, I also think we can figure out how to reverse its negative effects on you and maybe even make them positive." Jayce turned on the gas stove and lit a match, almost burning himself as it flared to life. He shook his hand in a way to ease the pain.

For a long while, Viktor didn’t know what to think. He began to realize that maybe, as much as he felt he was going crazy, Jayce was losing it too—hiding it in a much better way than he expected.

"You take your medicine," Jayce said after a while, now stirring a pot of boiling water. Viktor, limping around the apartment, placed books and lab equipment in their proper places.

"Mhm, and drank my tea," Viktor replied. Jayce nodded in approval, though he knew Viktor didn’t see him. They stayed silent while Jayce cooked, talking about both meaningless and important things. It seemed that after not spending all their time in a lab together, work wasn’t always the most important thing on their minds anymore.

They sat eating together as Jayce recounted his day. "No, but I was supposed to be eating with Mel tonight. But, you know, just like me she's busy with her own politics." He paused, seeming to fluster suddenly.

"I didn't mean it like that. I'm glad I'm here eating dinner with you instead, but I was just explaining why I was here so late."

"No need to explain," Viktor responded almost immediately with a soft shrug, picking through his food and messing with a grain of rice while his eyes shifted to his plate. Suddenly, a wave of anxiety washed over him; Jayce's words bothered him deeply. Usually, he was skilled at hiding such feelings, but it felt harder now with Jayce sitting there, staring. Feeling the urge to cover his face, Viktor stood up abruptly, using the table for leverage as he grabbed his cane.

"You're done already?" Jayce exclaimed quietly.

"Yes, I'm just a little tired. I think I'm going to shower and head to bed." Viktor limped away from the table, hearing Jayce stand but refusing to look back.

"You hardly ate..." Jayce mumbled to himself as Viktor disappeared into his room.

He felt a gnawing sensation in his stomach, knowing that what he said about Mel had bothered Viktor. He could correlate why, but he couldn't fully grasp it. He knew how he felt for Viktor, but how did Viktor feel for him? As he walked past with their plates, he noticed Viktor's small personal journal on a dresser adorned with family pictures. He hesitated, thinking, *I shouldn't,* but he grabbed it anyway, glancing toward Viktor's bedroom door. With one hand, he began to untie the apron he still wore from cooking.

Around forty minutes to an hour later, Viktor stepped out of the shower, drying his hair first with a small towel and then the rest of his body with a larger one. After donning his bathrobe and leaving the small towel on his head, he stepped out of the bathroom to let some steam out and get some fresh air. Without his cane, he walked through his room and out into the parlor, surprised to find Jayce washing dishes.

Looking at the clock on the wall, he noted it was past midnight. Jayce hummed along to some classical music playing from a phonograph. Viktor limped quietly toward the balcony door on the other side of the room, holding onto furniture for support. After sliding the door aside, the fresh air made his muscles relax. He settled into a small patio chair, resting his elbows on the slightly cold wooden table and leaning his chin into his palms. He stared out at Piltover, the morning air cool against his still-damp skin.

He sensed Jayce's presence behind him but didn't bother turning to check. "Why haven't you gone home yet?" Viktor asked, not meaning to sound as harsh as it came out.

"Do you want me gone?" Jayce asked sincerely, walking alongside where Viktor sat.

Viktor stayed silent while Jayce waited for an answer, neither of them addressing the other's question. Jayce opened his mouth to restart the conversation, but Viktor began before he could.

"Why are you wasting your time on me? Investing in me? I'm useless. There's no progression in this..." Viktor kept his eyes on the horizon.

Jayce was taken aback by the sudden sadness in Viktor's tone. He knelt in front of Viktor, forcing him to look at his face. "You wasted your time on me when we met. Remember? Everyone thought I was crazy to believe magic could help the world, but you stayed and protected my research from being destroyed. That meant so much; I don't think you understand. I can't lose you..." Jayce chuckled to himself, trying not to get too emotional.

Viktor's expression softened, and a small smile emerged. They often had this same conversation, and each time, Jayce found a way to turn Viktor’s words around, making him forget how terrible he felt about his life.

A few hours later, after talking on the balcony, Jayce helped Viktor to his room. "Do you think I could sleep on the couch for the night?" Jayce asked nervously while Viktor changed into his night clothes.

"Why can't you just sleep at your house?" Viktor asked with a light laugh, stepping out of the bathroom and buttoning up his loose-fitting flannel.

"I just don't like sleeping alone in an empty place," Jayce mumbled, almost hoping Viktor didn't hear. The truth was, he had grown so accustomed to spending nights with Mel that it felt strange not to have someone there. Maybe it was selfish. Jayce watched Viktor, noting how his bony hands skillfully pulled each button through its hole. It was almost mesmerizing.

"I think some alone time would do you good," Viktor joked, sitting next to Jayce on the edge of his bed. "You can stay; I don't mind..."

Jayce's thoughts drifted as he looked at Viktor's pale, thin lips. He always found Viktor beautifully captivating, both for who he was and his physical appearance. Turning away, he scoffed at himself while an uncontrollable smile spread across his face. *He looks at my lips like this,* he thought, recalling his private journal.

"What?" Viktor asked with a soft yawn.

"Nothing, just a late laugh at your joke. Uh, I'll be in the front if you need me." Jayce got up and strolled to the door. "Goodnight, partner."

Chapter Text

A month had passed, and Jayce could see Viktor's improvements. He didn’t know if it was the medication or his care, but there were definitely changes. On the downside, the Hexcore might be as dangerous as Heimerdinger warned. Jayce hadn’t told Viktor about certain details in his research regarding the Hexcore—like how the core had reacted to one of Viktor’s bloody handkerchiefs he'd left behind. It had responded in a strange, unnatural way that both freaked him out and fascinated him. Jayce even experimented with a seed from a plant, which had seemed to work momentarily before withering away, as if the Hexcore had drained all the organic matter from it. Perhaps this was what it was doing to Viktor, at least according to Heimerdinger's conclusions.

“And what is your conclusion?” Mel asked, turned on her side, her silk comforter covering her just above the breasts. Jayce lay beside her, staring at the high ceiling that always made him feel uncomfortable in her large room.

“My conclusion,” he started, inhaling deeply, “is that I agree with the professor. Who am I to argue?” He glared at Mel, who rolled her eyes at his dramatics while brushing hair from her face.

“I think it’s respectful to follow Heimerdinger’s advice, but you should get another expert’s opinion. Your partner— I know you still converse to him.”

“But if I tell him, it’ll give him false hope, and that’s the last thing he needs, Mel.” Jayce shifted to face her, and she reached for his face, resting her hand along his cheek and jaw. He leaned into her warmth as they shared a gaze. “Show him instead of just talking about it. Let him see for himself. Based on how he reacts, you’ll know what to do.”

After that discussion with Mel, Jayce felt overwhelmed. He stopped by Viktor’s apartment, which had become a natural part of his daily routine. Viktor had given him a spare key for emergencies, but Jayce used it freely, letting himself in as if it were no special privilege. He closed the door discreetly, eyeing the cozy apartment until he spotted Viktor sitting at the dining table, engrossed in a book Jayce had brought him about the Hexcore. Viktor seemed lost in thought, not even hearing the door; his reflexes were never the best.

Jayce loosened his tie and unlaced his dress shoes, leaving them by the front door next to the coat hanger where he hung his overcoat. As he strolled to the kitchen, Viktor suddenly startled at his approach.

“Do you mind not creeping into my place without saying a word?” Viktor asked, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

“Sorry.” Jayce exclaimed jokingly, putting his hands up as if at gunpoint. He pulled out a wooden chair, sitting down and glancing at the clutter of notes, files, and books that filled the table, along with pens and pencils. “How do you feel today?”

“As I always do…” Viktor replied, still lost in thought, jotting something down in his notebook. He stretched his back after being hunched over for so long. “I feel how I always do. How do you feel?”

“Me?” Jayce asked, surprised by the sudden question. “You look as tired as I do. Is it the council?” He leaned against the table with a sigh, realizing he hadn’t had time to worry about his appearance lately.

“I’m fine. The council is always stressful, and everything with the Undercity is just... a lot. But I didn’t come here to unload on you; I don’t want to think about any of it.” Jayce paused as Viktor watched him speak, fiddling with his fingers. He found it increasingly difficult to focus while holding Viktor's unflinching gaze.

“What I’m trying to say is—I like your company. And today, instead of working, let’s take a break together. I was planning to go to my mother’s house for dinner tonight, and I want you to come with me.” Viktor’s expression changed from shock to a small, involuntary smile, almost flattered. “So much for planning; I don’t even know what I’m going to wear.”

“Just wear what you’re wearing now.” Viktor, already on his feet, walked to his room without responding, swatting his hand dismissively as if to brush Jayce’s words away. Jayce followed him without hesitation, going into the bathroom to look in the mirror. He noticed dark shadows under his eyes and how the stubble from his half-hearted shave the day before made him look rough.

Viktor appeared in the doorway, studying Jayce to see if he’d notice him. But Jayce immediately turned away from the mirror to look at him. Viktor held up two different suit coats, both similar colors to what he usually wore.

“I think you look fine the way you are,” Jayce complimented, double-taking without thinking. Viktor noted this and tilted his head, waiting silently.

“That one,” Jayce finally decided with a grin, leaning against the counter as he watched Viktor walk off to change. Guilt washed over him for looking at his partner in a way that felt almost inappropriate, but after reading through Viktor’s personal journal more than he should have, he learned he wasn’t the only one feeling attraction. Viktor seemed to have a fascination that made Jayce feel like just another project of his, much like Hextech.

Maybe it was better to think of it that way, to avoid complicating the good dynamic they currently had. “Do you think I should shave real quick before we go?” Jayce called out to Viktor, who was still changing.

“Uh, probably, but don’t use the razor next to the sink!” Jayce wondered why, since it was already in his hand. Then a shirtless Viktor appeared in the doorway, stumbling for a moment before grabbing the razor from Jayce’s hand swiftly. Jayce was surprised by his quickness, but his thoughts shifted to Viktor's bony structure. His body seemed almost perfect, yet not, given his leg and spine issues. Feeling his face heat up, Jayce forced himself to look away toward the glass-doored shower.

Viktor opened one of the bathroom drawers, pulling out a gold razor that was far sharper than the first. “Why can’t I use the one that was already out?” Jayce asked, knowing Viktor would find his question annoying.

“I don’t use it for my face,” Viktor replied bluntly, and Jayce felt his face flush bright red. He had learned his lesson about asking blunt questions without thinking twice. Viktor handed him shaving cream and a towel before returning to his closet. Jayce noticed that Viktor seemed to be struggling on his good leg, which he initially attributed to not having his cane, but recalled that Viktor had been struggling even with the support earlier in the week.

After a few moments, Jayce was halfway through scraping off the shaving cream when Viktor walked in to check on him. Jayce glanced quickly at Viktor’s attire; he wore formal clothes that were similar to his uniform but with gold accents and designs. Viktor quietly pulled himself up onto the counter next to Jayce, seemingly trying not to stare.

“Do you feel better now that you’ve changed?” Jayce teased. Viktor shrugged, his eyes locking onto Jayce’s face. That gaze was something Jayce found hard to hold. He looked back at the mirror, trying not to get distracted and accidentally nick himself.

A few moments later, Jayce finished shaving and felt clean again. He washed his face, careful not to get his hair wet, and dried himself. While his head was down, he noticed Viktor’s leg brace, which had noticeable dents in the copper between the knee and calf. “What happened to your brace?” he asked, putting the towel down and turning off the sink. He reached for Viktor’s knee, examining the damage.

Viktor tensed at the sudden touch, wanting to melt entirely. He watched Jayce in anticipation, noting how his shoulders looked from this angle. “I may have tripped and fallen getting out of the shower. It’ll be fine, though.”

“I’ll arrange to get you a new one,” Jayce stated quickly, ignoring Viktor’s dismissal. He lifted his chin to meet Viktor’s gaze. “You should’ve told me. I can’t believe I let you fall.”

Viktor scoffed, laughing at Jayce’s foolishness. “You weren’t here.”

He then reached up, wiping away a spot of shaving cream from Jayce’s jaw. “I think we should get going before it gets too late,” Viktor said, wiping the residue on the towel.

“Yeah…”

After a thirty-minute carriage ride, they arrived at the Talis residence. It was far cozier than Viktor had assumed. Jayce's flashy demeanor had led Viktor to a certain stereotype, but as Jayce's hand came into view while opening the vehicle door, Viktor took it, grabbing his cane with his other hand. Jayce's grasp was firm, yet the palm of his hand felt soft, masking a roughness that seemed to be developing recently.

Viktor released him once he found his balance, and they approached the front door of the manor. Jayce had grown quiet, a hint of nervousness evident in his demeanor. He had written to his mother numerous times, keeping her updated on his life, but it felt like an eternity since she had last seen him. He missed her, yet feared what she would think of him for visiting now. Pressing his palm against the top of his head, he seemed to check for stray strands of hair.

Viktor noticed Jayce stiffen suddenly, reminiscent of how he acted before a speech. It was strange to see such behavior in a casual setting. As they stood there, Jayce pressed the doorbell for the second time. Viktor moved his swaying hand closer to Jayce’s, lightly brushing against it in a gesture of reassurance. Jayce was startled by the contact, looking over at Viktor, feeling heat rise in his face.

The door opened to reveal an older woman who was almost an exact replica of Jayce, at least in the face. Her gentle smile grew wide, revealing her teeth as she took in the sight of the two men before her. She radiated pride, wearing her usual attire adorned with accessories for the special occasion. Letting out a soft sigh of bliss, she suddenly hugged her son, who was still flustered. He embraced her tightly, almost lifting her off the ground due to his height.

Viktor couldn’t help but smile at the wholesome moment. “My son, oh, I’ve missed you. Look at you! Where’d all this muscle come from? You used to be so skinny,” she exclaimed, gazing up at Jayce while playfully pinching his cheek.

“Mother, I just work out a little bit; it’s nothing crazy,” Jayce scoffed, smiling at his mom. He cleared his throat suddenly, noticing Viktor in his peripheral vision. “And mother, this is Viktor, my partner.”

Her focus shifted, studying the nimble scientist before her. “Hello, Viktor. I know we met years ago. You helped my son, and for that, I owe you so much.” She approached slowly, her eyes filled with joy. Viktor almost blushed, trying to hide it, but he extended his hand for her to shake. Instead, she held it.

“Jayce writes about you all the time in the letters he sends. He looks up to you; he admires you so much. I’m so happy he was able to find someone he could trust,” she said. Jayce awkwardly scratched the back of his head, doing his best to appear unfazed by the compliment.

“Well, Ms. Talis, it has been a privilege to share magic with the world alongside Jayce. He’s too good to me; if anything, I owe you everything for shaping him into the person he is today,” Viktor spoke humbly, returning her warm gesture.

“Oh, I just remembered—I have something in the oven! Let’s head inside; it’s starting to get cold out.” She was off before either of them could blink. Jayce laughed it off, shrugging as he helped Viktor walk in ahead of him. As he locked the door, Viktor teased, “You write about me to your mother?”

Jayce flustered, looking away and rolling his eyes all at once. “You’re one of the main parts of my life; why wouldn’t I?” he stated sincerely.

Jayce helped Viktor to their dining table before disappearing into the kitchen. Looking around their dining area, the room had a high ceiling where a small chandelier hung in the center. Huge dark blue draped curtains framed two big windows, and there were a couple of small desks decorated with framed family pictures. Viktor set his crutch against the table and got up on his own to get a closer look at the photos, noticing one that showed young Jayce. He seemed to be posing for a picture on his first day of school. Viktor couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face, admiring how Jayce practically looked the exact same.

As he continued studying the other photos, he was startled by someone clearing their throat. Jayce's mother approached from the kitchen, wearing an apron smeared with flour and a warm smile on her face. She picked up one of the last pictures Viktor was looking at. "You see, here was Jayce's first academy dance. This was a friend he went with..." She pointed while reminiscing. "He didn't want to go either, but I told him I'd get him some of his favorite candied fruit."

Viktor nodded lightly. "Didn't take him for being unsociable." Ms. Talis turned toward one of the desks, pulling out a drawer. "Well, he's always been very particular about the people he allows in, personally." She revealed a big book with a plain black cover. It seemed a little older, with cracks and marks of stress on the spine. She approached the table, pulling out a chair while Viktor followed silently.

"I store all of my pictures here. I have so many that I no longer have room to organize them how I want," she laughed to herself while sliding the book over to Viktor. He was unsure at first if she wanted him to open it, but she gestured for him to go on. He revealed the first page and saw a message written in a language he did not recognize. Flipping to the next page, he found pictures and sketches of Jayce as an infant, swaddled in furs and string. The photo looked fairly worn and clearly older. "This is one of the only photos I have of Jayce so young. You see, we're from somewhere very far from here, and we struggled a bit. But then again, this was before I had my obscura," she noted.

Viktor nodded along going along to flip to the next page ,where he found multiple images of Jayce and his mother posed together. He seemed around the ages of seven of eight ,he one picture that caught the scientists attention Jayce seemed to be dressed as a hero or knight with a cape and a wooden stick with a big sharply square shaped stone tied to it at the top. "He's always been very imaginative if you haven't noticed...." She joked while pointing to the the picture Viktor was focusing on ,"He made this character, a champion he'd refer him to he has a magical hammer. Which of course is powered by a hexcore." She sighed.

"I mean this dream came true ,it's just so insane to think."

"It really portrays how much his research means to him." Viktor smiled ,while flipping to the next page and before they both knew it they'd been going over pictures for almost thirty minutes. They hadn't realized till Jayce appeared in the door way of the dining room ,he was practically cover in flour from the chest down. He'd wore an apron now though and had seemed to take off his coat ,vest ,and tie only leaving the black dress shirt of his uniform. His face and hands had flour rated on them as if he had attempted to clean himself up ,Viktor found it hard to contain the laughter that suddenly came over him. But Jayce's mother gasped at the sight ,"I'm sorry ,I'll get you more flour. I dropped trying to put ingredients away." He apologized almost like a child as his mom approached the mess ,"Oh your always so clumsy! That was the last of the flour to." She went on then eventually started lecturing him in a language Viktor did not recognize, it seemed to be the same as from the note in the picture book. She went on still complaining, her voice fading into the kitchen as Jayce followed trying to explain himself. Viktor continued looking through their pictures, and a little while later Jayce was back he now had far less flour on him than before but their was still a grey shade that cloaked him clothes. He sighed while going to take the seat his mom sat originally next to Viktor, glaring to see what he was entertaining himself with. "Geez my mom pulls this thing out every time we have a guest over." He complained clearly being fairly embarrassed ,he went to grab the book but Viktor slid it away quickly. "Can you blame your mother for being so proud?" Jayce scoffed at Viktor shaking his head in dispute ,"I'd exhibit you this way to, if I were your mother." Viktor added while looking over at Jayce who returned his gaze back ,he grew flustered but for the first time hadn’t backed down from Viktor's intense view.

Viktor closed the book after moment sliding it over to Jayce. "Did you and your mother finish making dinner?

"Uh yeah ,she was done cooking when we got here she just wanted me to help her with making some dough for dessert. But uh you know I dropped the flour and she kicked me out of the kitchen." Scratching the back of his neck he quickly turned away and sneezed suddenly ,"Sorry." He apologized quickly as if he had offended Viktor. "It's fine. I think you should change." Jayce nodded in agreement his body tensing up and he scrunched up him nose as if feeling another sneeze coming along ,but instead he exhaled deeply, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "Come on ,I wanted to show you my room anyways." Jayce stood grabbing Viktors crutch for him and helping his partner up ,but instead of handing him his crutch he put Viktor's hand up on his shoulder. And Viktor went along putting his arm over both shoulders as they began to walk ,"We have stairs ,I should've told you that before I grabbed you."

"It's fine." Viktor implied in a almost soft whisper. Jayce smiled to himself not being able to hide the joy he got from being so close to Viktor and aiding him when he needed it. And though Viktor would never admit it ,he felt comfort in the contact as much as Jayce.

Chapter Text

The hinges of Jayce's bedroom door screamed lightly, showing their age. Viktor, walking in first, was immediately captivated. Hanging from the ceiling was what appeared to be a grade school project: a map of the constellations crafted with blue-tinted glass. Jayce's room was decorated in dark blue and white, every wall covered with research on magic, drawings, and pictures. The room was messy, as if left that way hastily, and it felt unmistakably like Jayce—or so Viktor thought.

Noticing a framed picture lying face-up atop a stack of papers on one of the dressers, Viktor picked it up. It was a photo of Jayce graduating, holding his diploma and dressed formally in academy attire. He smiled so brightly that his eyes squinted slightly, one arm slung over Viktor's shoulder, nearly forcing him to lean down lower than his usual posture. Heimerdinger stood in front of them, smiling, with a Poro close by. "We were so young," Viktor thought, his mind lingering on his cane and how he had barely needed it back then.

"My mother took that photo," Jayce said, startling Viktor, who had been lost in thought, holding the frame with both hands. He hadn’t even realized his crutch had fallen from where he'd tried to lean it against the wall. Jayce, now shirtless, his hair slightly messy from undressing moments before, bent to retrieve Viktor’s crutch from the floor.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to be clumsy," Viktor said, taking the crutch from Jayce's hand. He smiled faintly, scratching the back of his neck, then went on to adjust the silky black button-up shirt in his hands. "I'm surprised you had this framed."

"That's probably one of the only photos I asked my mother to take and print for me," Jayce admitted. Viktor stared but allowed his eyes to shift along Jayce's arms, noting how the muscles flexed and relaxed with each movement. He noticed the small scars—tiny burns and cuts—that became less frequent toward Jayce’s shoulders.

Jayce, trying his best to act like he hadn’t noticed Viktor’s long stare, busied himself with his shirt. Viktor turned away, finding other objects in the room to occupy his attention. "I’ve been wondering, Jayce," Viktor started, pacing as his eyes caught sight of a large, dark-brown-covered book on the floor. "You've started having this, roughness to you. Each time I feel your hands when your helping or handing me something, I feel the calluses starting on them. And your scars." Picking it up, he felt the rough texture of the book, which seemed to be about the ancient history of all magic. He sat down on Jayce's unmade bed, needing both hands to open the heavy tome.

"You don’t need to worry about me," Jayce said, his voice low. He didn’t want to reveal the truth—not now, not when Viktor was supposed to be an escape from politics and work. Being around Viktor, Jayce felt relief, freedom to enjoy science with someone who shared his passion. It was selfish, he knew, but he couldn’t help it.

Jayce sat beside Viktor, the old bed frame creaking under his weight. Now wearing his clean button-up, he sat so close their thighs pressed together, causing Viktor to scoot away just a bit.

"I don’t worry. I wonder," Viktor mumbled, lost in the words of the book but clearly responding to Jayce’s earlier statement.

"I just started welding again," Jayce explained, his tone nonchalant. "I’ve been working with hexcore a lot when I’m not busy with other affairs. I’ve needed to make some gadgets to help with our research." It wasn’t entirely a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either. He hoped Viktor wouldn’t pry further.

And Viktor paused for a moment, "You’re not in trouble, Jayce. I just wanted to know." He smiled at Jayce finally looking at him.

Finally. Jayce felt his thoughts overlappe one another ,why was he craving his gaze always ,so selfish, needing the attention. Clutching his fist along his bedsheets that his hand once rested ,his eyes shifted between Viktor's as if trying to find some answer to his questionable feelings. His heart was racing by now ,manually breathing stressing him further. Your not in trouble ,he repeated Viktor’s words in his head ,this heat started to build under the skin of his face.

Viktor seemed to wait seeing the frustration in Jayce though he tried his very best to hide it ,he wanted to comfort him but it seemed this pressure Jayce put himself under was the only way to get him to express himself. And so they stared at one another in silence, there was no tension only solace. And they hadn't seemed to notice their bodies moving closer each second that pasted ,how natural it felt. "Viktor, I have something I need to tell you...." Jayce's was tone was deep and almost slow ,his eyes now shifting between his partners eyes and lips. Viktor nodded lightly, hoping that this confession was something he had always been ready to hear.
At this point Jayce was partially leaned over into Viktor ,causing Viktor to naturally move his body lower to the bed.
Jayce's hand which once clutched the comforter of his bed now making it's way to the back of his partners neck ,"I-"

Two knocks at the door startled them both. Jayce moved away abruptly, looking as if he’d been caught red-handed. His mother’s voice called out from behind the door. "I have everything set up for supper."

Jayce cleared his throat. "Okay, Mother! We’ll be down in a moment." He took heavy breaths, not realizing he’d been holding them, and glanced at Viktor, who looked equally flustered. Jayce had never seen him so disoriented, the way he reclined improperly on the bed with his legs spread widely. Jayce caught himself staring and turned his gaze to the door, getting up abruptly.

"Let me change my trousers. I’ll meet you downstairs," Jayce said, shutting the closet door swiftly behind him. Viktor sighed, adjusting himself and heading for the door.

About an hour and a half later, after enjoying dinner, Viktor carried the last stack of plates to the kitchen. Jayce was already there, sleeves rolled up, lost in thought as he prepared the sink for washing.

"You didn’t have to grab those," Jayce reassured suddenly, noticing Viktor place the plates beside the pots and pans.

"I know," Viktor replied simply. The silence between them was heavy, almost awkward, as they worked side by side. Whatever had happened earlier in Jayce’s bedroom loomed over them like a cloud.

"I'm glad you liked dinner. My mother made a huge effort to figure out what to make," Jayce attempted, trying to break the silence, but it sounded rehearsed—he’d already said this before, just rephrased.

After a long pause, Viktor finally broke his silence. "What was it? You wanted me to know?" His tone was blunt, making Jayce tense, though he hid it.

"It’s just that I made a decision to have you back at the lab. I moved the hexcore to the adjacent laboratory so it’d be safer for you. Things have just been hectic, trying to balance the council and our projects," Jayce explained quickly, his tone firm and unwavering.

Viktor dried the last dish, his jaw tightening briefly before he turned to Jayce. "That’s great. Should I be there at the usual time in the morning?" His tone was calm, but his expression suggested otherwise.

"Y-yeah," Jayce stammered, drying his hands on a cloth.

Their conversation remained short and simple after that. Jayce took Viktor home, then went to his own empty bed, unable to shake the guilt of all the half-truths he’d spoken that day. Viktor, meanwhile, lay awake in his apartment, analyzing every word, every moment. Neither of them got much sleep that night.

When seeing Jayce the morning after, he had light grey shades beneath his eyes. His hair was messy and his uniform almost seemed crooked. Viktor was concerned but chose not to ask and risk making his morning worse. After a short ride to the laboratory, Viktor was met with sweet greetings from every corner he turned. It felt good—some type of positivity in him returning to work. Even Sky was excited to see him and work with him again, and it felt as if he'd never left.
Viktor set his satchel along a coat hanger alongside Jayce, rolling up his sleeves and taking a quick glance around the lab to spot anything new. He noticed how cleaned out it seemed ,most of the things for research he assumed moved with the hexcore. The room started to collect dust and it felt strange being back once again, it felt like home.

After Jayce had finished giving instructions to Sky, he loomed near Viktor. It had been a while for both of them to be back in the same laboratory.
"Viktor, let me take you back to the other lab. I need to show you something for a moment."
Jayce seemed nervous as he walked toward the door on the opposite side of the room that led to the other half of their lab. When they walked in, Viktor was almost shocked at how cluttered it was, especially since this room was far bigger than the original lab. He noticed what seemed to be withered, fully grown, or even mutated plants in cases. He could tell Jayce had probably lost his mind working in here, especially alone.

All his chalkboards were full of rune symbols—some Viktor recognized, others not.
Jayce silently handed him his personal research journal, a stern look of shame in his eyes. Viktor quietly opened to the last used page, flipping back a couple of pages and stopping when he felt it was right. The notes seemed to imply things about the hexcore that Viktor was starting to notice himself when working with it. They described how it could learn and adapt, but also that it had a mind of its own, refusing to follow what the user intended.
Its magic was too strong for organic matter such as plants, with a theory suggesting that perhaps small animals could be the next test subjects. The hexcore had even reacted to a bloody handkerchief Viktor had left behind.
Viktor stopped reading, closing the journal in urgency. "What is this?"

"It's my conclusions and theories on the hexcore—why it was making your condition worse. Since working with it myself, I've been doing regular doctor visits, and my health has been declining rapidly," Jayce started to explain. He walked toward the hexcore and grabbed a paper bag of seeds from a drawer in the desk. Viktor followed to get a closer look, but Jayce held up his hand, gesturing him to stop.

Jayce dropped a single seed between the mages that surrounded the hexcore's magic. The seed was pulled in immediately. A large, tree-like plant grew, its streaks lined with blue and purple. Viktor, amazed yet startled, dropped Jayce’s journal, causing his partner to turn in concern at the small thud. But Viktor was fine. Suddenly, the plant withered and died instantly, turning black and grey, as if it were already halfway through the decaying process.

Viktor, infatuated despite the plant’s death, saw this as a breakthrough. "Jayce, this is—this is extraordinary. Do you know what we could do with this?"
"I know. I know how you feel now, but listen to me, Viktor. This—it pulls you in. It makes you feel disoriented. This part of hextech is something that will take far too long to understand. It’s not worth risking our lives. The hexcore mutates—it doesn’t heal or grow. That plant was meant to be a tree, a normal tree, and it looked nothing like one when it grew."
Viktor shook his head in disagreement and picked up Jayce's journal. "This is something great, Jayce. You cannot just give up on it. Perhaps if I were to look deeper into your recent research—"
Jayce cut him off. "No. Like I said, I’m the only one authorized to work with it."

Viktor scoffed, almost offended. "Well, this is our work, isn’t it?! And you waited to tell me about this? Why? The one thing I don’t have is time, Jayce."
Jayce shook his head, turning away from Viktor while rubbing his chin nervously. He had assumed he was prepared for this conversation with his partner, believing Viktor would understand because he was the most affected. But Viktor saw this as a gateway to something even more extraordinary. His curiosity as a scientist made him a threat to himself.

"Jayce," Viktor started, approaching him. Jayce refused eye contact, stopping his pacing. Viktor stared up at him with an expression of confusion and care. He leaned his crutch against a desk and grabbed one of Jayce’s hands in both of his—the first time he had ever shown affection in a way that wasn’t verbal.
Jayce was surprised but relaxed. He liked the feeling of Viktor’s hands—nimble and much smaller, yet still strong. They were warm in the cold atmosphere.
"With everything we’ve accomplished—the sacrifices and risks we’ve made over the last decade—wouldn’t it be worth trying to solve this final difficulty? This could impact our lives in the best or worst way. But I’m willing to take that risk so I can leave something behind for the world." Viktor’s tone was soft, almost a whisper meant to soothe. Jayce felt calm as they stared deeply into one another.

"I’m sorry. I can’t risk you."

Silence grew sharp, almost eerie. Viktor couldn’t seem to see Jayce’s side of the situation because he was too focused on the idea of discovery. The tension between them started to build, and after that conversation, they continued their work on hextech—or mostly Jayce did.
It was hard for Viktor to forgive his partner. It felt as if everything was going wrong within just a few months, not knowing that Jayce felt the same way. It was difficult for Viktor to work in a separate lab, only able to work with what Jayce provided him. It felt restrictive.
After another two weeks, the attacks from the Undercity only worsened. Viktor would hear from Jayce during their small breaks, ranting about his worries for Caitlyn since she hadn’t returned after being granted permission to release an inmate. Reports from the head enforcer grew more troubling. No matter how many documents Jayce signed to approve new security measures or manage Piltover's supply chains to other nations, the chaos persisted.
Viktor attempted to help with the political side of things, but it mostly bored him. He felt torn, being of both worlds, and it was hard to always take Jayce’s side.

One day, Viktor had a day off for his biweekly infirmary visit. He stopped by the lab to drop off some files. While putting everything back into place before leaving, a knock came at the door.
"It’s open," Viktor called out, his voice bouncing off the empty lab walls.

The door creaked open to reveal the young secretary who usually reported calls or messages. She seemed coy whenever she interacted with Viktor. Her deer-like ears twitched as she noticed him before stepping inside.
"Evening, Viktor. I have a call from the Medarda residence regarding Mr. Talis. I believe he is sick or unwell and must be taken home."

Chapter Text

Viktor was confused by the news. Why would Mel call for him to take Jayce home?

“What exactly was the message?” Viktor asked, grabbing his belongings hastily while walking out of the lab and locking the door behind him.

“It was just that she needed assistance with getting Councilor Talis home. That was all,” she stated sincerely.

Viktor hummed under his breath, lost in thought for a moment as they took the elevator. “Okay, thank you for letting me know. Have a good night.”

After a relatively short journey to Mel’s residence, Viktor was appalled at the sight of her property. Its largeness and unique architecture were almost unexpected. When he knocked, he was greeted by someone Viktor assumed was Mel’s assistant, the one who always collected her paperwork in the council room.

“Hello, I’m here to get Jayce?” Viktor asked nervously, feeling as if he were somewhere he did not belong.

She eyed him cautiously at first before finally letting him in. Escorting him through a long hallway filled with paintings—most signed with Mel’s signature—he noticed some were portraits of people who resembled her, possibly family members. Finally, they reached what seemed to be a lounging area, where Mel and Jayce sat on scarlet couch.

Jayce appeared to be in the middle of throwing up into a small trash can, while Mel stood over him, rubbing his back and handing him towels to wipe his mouth.

“What happened?” Viktor asked, approaching. Jayce perked up slightly at the sound of his voice ,glancing up at him over his bodies retching.

Mel sighed, getting up from the couch. Her hair was undone from its usual style, left out and coiled. She wore a silky black robe tied closed, along with house slippers. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her expression irritated.

“We attended a business cocktail party, and Jayce got a bit carried away. Which I don’t understand, considering he can’t hold his liquor,” she grumbled, not caring if Jayce heard.

Viktor approached Jayce, who huffed softly while wiping his mouth. He looked up at Viktor, his eyes weary and cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry…” he muttered, looking down at himself in shame.

“I’ve tried sobering him up, but he kept talking about how he hadn’t checked on you all day. I thought if he saw you, he’d comply.”

Mel studied them, though neither seemed to notice. She had gotten exactly what she was looking for.

Jayce stood up suddenly and walked away to a nearby door, which Viktor assumed was a restroom. Viktor sighed, staying silent for a moment before sitting on the couch.

Mel stared.
“You know Jayce cannot exist on his own without you?”

Viktor looked up at her, surprised by the accusation. Her gaze was strong, an intense stare Viktor didn’t dare hold for long.

“I see how you look at each other, always lost. I believe you are the other piece of Jayce…”

She strolled closer, sitting next to Viktor where Jayce once did. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she seemed to mean no harm.

“I’m not resentful of you—well, not anymore. I knew what me and Jayce were since the first night. It’s just…” She chuckled to herself, slouching back on the couch with a sigh, placing both hands in her lap.

“Jayce is inspired by you and what you do. You’re the most important thing in his life.”

“He’s just been stressed about me because of my illness,” Viktor tried to explain, unable to fully process the conversation.

“Viktor, I don’t need an apology. I need at least one of you to see what this is. It’s sad that two of the smartest individuals can’t perceive what’s right in front of them.”

Viktor gulped, keeping his gaze forward. His thoughts swirled like a tornado. Of course, he already knew this, but it wasn’t important—at least now specifically it wasn’t. As he looked at Mel rolling her ring around her finger, he realized that if even she could see through both of them without being around them for wven a few hours, how did others perceive them?

Hearing the light squeak of a door opening, Viktor looked hurriedly, hoping to see Jayce. It was as if his mind completely cleared. Mel stood, helping Viktor up as well. Jayce had started taking off the vest over his button-up.

“Jayce, please stop undressing. We have guests here,” Mel said, sounding almost like a lecturing mother.

Jayce pouted in response. “I feel like I have a fever, or it’s just hot in here,” he whined.

Mel grabbed his hand, guiding him over to Viktor, who stood watching.

“It’s okay. I can hold his vest,” Viktor insisted.

Mel shrugged, seeming completely over the situation. “I think Jayce should go home for tonight. I’ll get you both a ride,” she said, looking to Jayce now.

Jayce’s eyes shifted between her and Viktor. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“You won’t be.”

Her immediate reply clearly didn’t make Jayce feel any better. He leaned in, wanting her embrace, puckering his lips slightly. She stared up at him, admiring his face even though he looked a mess.

Viktor felt awkward watching, deciding to turn away but not entirely. Mel moved her face so that Jayce kissed her cheek, which seemed to content him. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” she reassured sweetly.

After a while, Mel helped them into her vehicle, instructing her personal driver to take them to Jayce’s establishment. Once there, Jayce started feeling nauseous again getting out. He struggled to concentrate on walking without stopping to gag every couple of steps.

Viktor found himself helping Jayce into his house, Jayce’s arm over his shoulders and Viktor pressing along his lower back, just as Jayce always did for him when they walked together.

Once inside, Viktor immediately helped Jayce up the stairs to his bedroom. Kicking the door open lightly, he turned on the lights and helped Jayce to the bed, setting him down. By this point, they were both sweating and exhausted, as Jayce had practically put all his weight on Viktor the entire time ,his knee pulsing each step he took by himself.

Jayce laid back on the bed, exhaling deeply. He began to undo his black button-up, nearly ripping it apart. Viktor forced himself to look elsewhere, now making it his mission to get Jayce some water.

He headed downstairs, finding himself almost lost in the home ,it'd been so long since he was there. After finding the kitchen he searched through a few cabinets, when finally finding glasses on a high shelf. Grabbing a glass, and filling it with faucet water. He headed to back to the stairs which was a slight struggle for him to get back on the second floor. He managed ,finally getting to Jayce's bedroom ,the door being open still. He noticed Jayce was no longer on the bed, though his clothes were.

Hearing the sound of running water, Viktor realized the bathroom door was wide open and the shower was on ,his dress shoes along with his socks set dead infront and the line separately tiled floors from wood. He decided to stay by the door.

“Jayce, I have water for you. Tell me when you’re out of the shower. I’ll go to the guest room!” Viktor yelled over the cascading of the water.

"No, no, come in. I'm not naked," Jayce insisted, almost sounding desperate. Viktor hesitated, holding onto the frame for leverage. He couldn't help squeezing it as if attempting to stop himself before going in.
Jayce turned the water off, shuddering heavily, his body drenched. His biceps tightened and then relaxed as he took a second to collect himself, putting both hands on the wall in front of him. Viktor felt the cold humidity of the air, realizing Jayce had probably taken a cold shower since he kept complaining about how hot he was. Aside from that, as Viktor tread further into the area, he realized-though he hadn't seen it before because of the lightly fogged glass of the shower door-that Jayce was practically naked, only wearing his white undergarments, which were practically sheer now due to being soaked. Viktor turned, gasping to himself, guilt coming over him immediately. "You are nude!" he retaliated without thought.

Jayce huffed, opening the glass door after hearing Viktor's startled voice.
"I'm not. I still have on my trunks,"

Jayce stated innocently, grabbing a hair towel from a rack that hung near the shower. He dried his hair, stepping out still soaking wet, water dripping on the floor from his body and feet, causing small puddles.

"Stop," Viktor almost begged, being so flustered by the situation that he covered his face. "Jayce, I need you to drink some of this water and get a bigger towel to cover yourself," he instructed through the secondhand embarrassment, handing Jayce the glass.

As he took it, his fingertips brushed along Viktor's knuckles and upper fingers. This... this was intentional. And an electric shock ran through Viktor's body, making his hairs rise as butterflies began fluttering in his stomach. "This is inappropriate," Viktor said, putting his guard back up and eyeing Jayce with intensity, expecting him to back down immediately. Yet the expression that remained was a dazed gaze of anticipation.

"And unprofessional..." Jayce added, drinking the glass of water in his hand. It was nearly gone in a couple of large gulps, though he drank so fast that small trails of water ran down his chin. He breathed heavily, wiping water from his chin with his forearm. His chills almost completely gone, while he continued ruffling his hair with the towel.

Viktor kept his eyes no lower than Jayce's collarbone. This was dangerous for him. It was unethical and despicable. "Are you having nausea?" Viktor asked, keeping his tone low and serious.

Jayce shook his head, speaking. "Not really. I think the cold shower helped. I feel a little sobered." He placed the glass down lightly on the marble counter.

"Great. I'll sleep in the guest room tonight and check on you in another hour." Viktor's bluntness made Jayce realize something was wrong. He stopped messing with his hair, letting the towel fall to the floor as Viktor had already turned to exit. But Viktor was caught by the lightest grip on his hand from Jayce.

"Am I causing you discomfort? I want you to stay,"

Jayce pressed further, desperation in his voice. Viktor hadn't noticed this place before ,the silence, how it was really only them. With each movement of skin, or tapping of water, and breaths, he felt highly sensitive now. This wasn't anything new; he always felt his body become a lot more delicate when with Jayce. Hiding this was so hard for him in the moment. Viktor didn't know what to say -not wanting to pull away from Jayce yet not wanting to stay. This vulnerability caused his muscles to feel like liquid.
Turning, staring, longing into Jayce.

The silence coated them, as Jayce grazed the palm of his hand along Viktor's. Feeling his damp developing, rough hand brush the back of Viktor's palm, the largeness of them always surprised Viktor. He watched Jayce's fingers move intensely around his wrist, as Viktor unknowingly moved his hand with Jayce's.
Their palms and fingers eventually lined up. And Jayce stopped, both of them stuck in a trance of each other.

I need you; was all Viktor could think-all he could fathom. Jayce leaned close, staring down at his partner, passion filling him. Leaning into his shoulder and taking in his aroma, Jayce eyed Viktor's neck, then his ear, his cheek. He had never been so close to see the small spots from scars along Viktor's pale complexion-the mole on his upper cheek, right under his eye. Pressing, almost brushing his lips over the mole, Viktor seemingly snapped out of it. He sighed at the contact, stunned, before stepping backward. Jayce backed away as well, confused.

"Intoxicated-"

It was all Viktor could muster for a moment, panting from the adrenaline that started, his heart pounding at a slow rate.

"You are intoxicated. You don't know what you're doing." Through this struggled sentence, Viktor's grip on Jayce's hand grew tight. Jayce noticed how his words did not match his actions. "Most of that is out of my system," Jayce stated, his eyes dancing between both of Viktor's.
"Most?"

Jayce took a moment, not wanting to seem forceful. "I-I heard Mel earlier, speaking to you about us," he admitted, shifting his hand along Viktor's as they both felt heat begin within the contact. "We had an argument about that as well, before going to the party..." His eyebrows furrowed as he attempted to collect his thoughts while explaining himself. "I am reckless for intoxicating myself for relief. I just never know how to give Mel the closure she deserves. I wanted to so badly, to want her as much as I yearn for you, Viktor. I need this attention, from both of you. The praise she gives-it's selfish of me to keep her time just for a good time." Viktor was shocked at Jayce, noting how he had never expressed himself emotionally to him before. This emptiness started in his gaze and tone -almost numb, but not quite. It made Viktor see him differently: human and not as perfect. "I cherish all the time I put into you," Jayce said softly. "I long for your gaze and closeness. I don't need anything from you to feel... entire." Jayce grabbed Viktor's other hand with an even lighter touch, giving Viktor the opportunity to pull away, but Viktor pushed his hand along Jayce's, intertwining their fingers. "I think we should have this conversation when you're in the right mind," Viktor said sincerely, without hesitation, and Jayce nodded, agreeing silently.

His eyes reluctantly moved between Viktor's lips and his view. He gulped lightly, almost in nervousness. "Can I kiss you?" he asked, almost coy. Viktor's face grew from warm to hot. He made a tight-lipped expression, growing more uncomfortable with each moment. This situation, filled with so much tension, was still incredibly awkward. He paused ,noting how much saliva began to build in his mouth.

"Just a peck,"

Viktor whispered. Jayce's breath already grazed Viktor's lips. Viktor stared, his eyelids lowering to follow Jayce's lips. Jayce, now having his eyes fully closed, pressed his lightly against Viktor's. He shuddered heavily. A peck? I need to taste him. Viktor's thoughts wavered as he pushed on his jaw, moving along Jayce's mouth.

Jayce's eyes widened briefly, surprised, before completely melting into him with a soft moan. Viktor released both hands, going to grab the back of Jayce's neck. Pressing their bodies together, Jayce's hands fumbled along Viktor's upper waist and back. This adrenaline excited them both. Jayce pressed his tongue lightly, not to force, and Viktor immediately allowed it, their lips moving wildly in sync. Their heads shifted between each kiss, both desperate for air.

Viktor moved his hands up the back of Jayce's neck to his damp hair, then shoulders. He hadn't realized it, but Jayce had him up against the wall now, leaning over him as he started untucking Viktor's shirt from his trousers. Viktor realized perhaps Jayce was getting a bit carried away and pushed him away. Both were panting, a string of saliva spreading between the gap they had made. Jayce's pupils dilated as his eyes opened to look at his partner. The butterflies in his stomach started moving elsewhere, somewhere lower.

"Just a peck," Viktor breathed out, reminding Jayce.

"You're the one that made it more than that," Jayce immediately defended himself, leaning into Viktor's neck while loosening his tie, then slipping it off. He planted light kisses, and with each peck, Viktor's body tensed, shudders escaping. Jayce slowly but surely began to unclothe Viktor, and after a moment, Viktor broke once again out of the trance. At first, he pushed Jayce so he was no longer leaned over him, before grabbing both his forearms and moving Jayce to the counter they once stood in front of. Viktor, now having Jayce with his lower back against a surface, startled him. Jayce stared at his partner with impatience. He scoffed, realizing how fast Viktor had turned the tables, a light smile stuck on his face. "Only a kiss, Jayce." "Mhm," Jayce murmured, completely ignoring Viktor's words, grabbing the back of his neck and pressing their lips together once again. Viktor did not move or struggle.

They wanted this-this long-overdue contact, the feeling that surged through their bodies in such a way that they felt like one, just from deep kisses. Jayce started undoing Viktor's belt with his free hand, the other pressing him closer. Jayce was infatuated with Viktor's taste. His tongue tasted nothing like he imagined. His lips were so soft, his body so fragile, feeling like glass in the palm of his hands. They stood hip to hip, Viktor putting his weight on his arms as his hands lay flat against the counter. Their crotches pressed together from Jayce's pulling, and Viktor felt Jayce's still-wet undergarments begin to soak through his trousers. Neither had realized they had both been grinding against one another, bodies desperate.

"Shit," Jayce shuddered heavily into Viktor's neck, now sucking and biting. So needy, Viktor thought, watching Jayce's hopelessness. It almost turned him on further. Viktor let out soft breaths, not wanting Jayce to hear how much he was enjoying this. He didn't want this; he had only wanted to take care of Jayce tonight, as Hayce alwats did for him. How had this escalated so far? Going on, Jayce was about to press his lips again, but Viktor did not lean in.

Haunting, Jayce thought, looking into Viktor's tired eyes. "Please..." Jayce begged. He was so adorable like this. Viktor couldn't help the smile that automatically came to mind.

"When you are not tipsy, we can continue this. But I fear you'll regret some things tomorrow morning. You have enough to worry about, Jayce. I won't allow you to be reckless." Jayce, instead of having the pouting expression Viktor expected, showed frustration on his face. He stood up straight along the counter he leaned against as Viktor backed away. Jayce, releasing the grip he had on him, and they both panted. Jayce felt as if his mind was completely blank, while Viktor looked down at himself, the front of his uniform wet from Jayce.
"Here, let me get you something to wear." Jayce went on, walking out of the bathroom ahead of Viktor into his closet.

Viktor decided to wait in the bathroom. Seeing himself in the mirror and shaming himself for everything, he felt like an idiot. There was nothing either of them was getting out of that whole affair. It was so unfair to Mel as well, who Jayce was just with prior. He fixed his hair and unbuttoned the rest of his shirt.
Noticing the bruising from bites on the right side of his neck, he sighed at the memory of how it felt.

Jayce took a while before he returned with a pair of nightwear neatly folded in his hands. He himself was in a nude woolen set of loose pants and a plain shirt. He set the clothes on the counter silently.

"Viktor, I don't want this to destroy our dynamic. I didn't mean to make anything awkward by any of this..." he paused, sighing deeply. Jayce felt the same as his partner, the guilt creeping over him. "Uh, these might be a little too big for you. I'll close the door so you can have privacy."

"Jayce?" Viktor finally spoke, breaking the tension. "I think we should act like none of it happened." Viktor sensed humiliation in his own words, almost immature. Jayce noticed this was out of Viktor’s character as well, but he nodded silently, compliant with the subtle arrangement set.

Soon after, the door clicked closed, and Viktor quickly changed, not wanting to be in the room any longer than he already had been. Stepping out of the bathroom and cutting out the light, he noticed Jayce sitting on his bed, seemingly looking through some documents from a folder set beside him. Jayce immediately broke from his focus after hearing the door shut, looking to Viktor in his slightly overly large clothes.

Viktor walked with a limp, pain showing in his face with each step as he made it across the room.

"Are you okay?" Jayce asked, dropping everything and getting up. He approached Viktor, going to give him leverage to not put so much pressure on his bad leg.
"It's fine." Viktor's tone shook with frustration, being overwhelmed.
"It's because you had to basically carry me up here, isn't it? I'm so sorry," Jayce immediately apologized.

"I'm fine."

The nimble man urged on, attempting to move away from Jayce.

"Viktor, Viktor, please don't push me away now." Viktor stopped fighting. He was exhausted and only wanted to relax his body for a moment. So he allowed Jayce to help him toward his bed, going and examining his leg to check if his brace needed adjusting.

"Do you think you could sleep in here tonight? My bed is big enough for us to not be near."

Viktor grew unsure, not wanting Jayce to think he was doing anything wrong. They were just caught up in the moment. Nothing explicit would happen again, they agreed so. Viktor, in the process of convincing himself, shifted uncomfortably from the position he sat.
"Eh, I suppose that's fine," he agreed finally, and Jayce nodded, quickly going to turn off the lights and heading to the opposite side of the bed, cautious of causing Viktor discomfort if he lingered for too long.

They both flattened their bodies along the polyester comforter after moving the cover. Their breathing slowly settled, their gazes stuck on the smooth, apricot-painted roof above. The temperature was cool, and the tension gone. Viktor had not covered himself, not feeling cold enough to want to. His eyes closed after a short while. And usually, for him, it was hard to get himself relaxed enough to sleep right after lying down. But with Jayce's presence beside him, his discomfort and pains lingered to the back of his mind.

Jayce heard a small snore come from the man beside him. He opened his eyes, turning his head slowly so that his shuffling wouldn't wake Viktor. Looking at his partner's rested face, beautiful, he thought. Perfect.

Eventually, after realizing Viktor was sound asleep, Jayce turned on his side facing Viktor and stared at him until his consciousness drifted into the dark.

The night felt like a long blink to Jayce when he woke, a migraine filling all of his senses. And nausea. He gasped, quickly shuffling to his bathroom, spitting nothing but stomach acid mixed with water into his already open toilet. A while after his retching, nothing much would come up, since his body had already disposed of most of it the night prior. He sighed in pain through heavy breaths, his abdomen feeling bruised from within as if he had worked out. Sitting back on his bathroom floor after flushing, he noticed his work uniform laid out along the glass wall and door of the shower behind him.

Then noticing a white tie along with them, and the pants and shirt were notably far smaller than any of his clothes.
Shock drove through him as he stumbled to his feet, memories of the night before flashing to mind. Getting out of the bathroom to see what he thought was a drunken dream: Viktor lying still on his bed, turned slightly to his side facing him.

Jayce, slowly getting on his knees and leaning himself along the bed, stared in awe. How peaceful Viktor's expression stayed, his snore light and breaths unhurried. Jayce gulped down a nasty taste that was left in his mouth, thinking about how parched he felt. Seeing the glass he left on his dresser that Viktor got for him, Viktor moved suddenly. Adjusting his neck to stretch out a bit more, and Jayce's face grew hot with blood seeing the markings he caused.

He bit his lip at the thought. No. This isn't right. That wasn't right. God, my head.
He looked up suddenly, an immediate reminder to check the time coming to him. He sprang to his feet, seeing he was over two hours late to a meeting with the council. "Ah, I'm screwed," he mumbled to himself, his hangover not helping his thoughts.
Viktor will be fine here, he assumed while going into his closet to get dressed. I'll leave him a note and let him rest. He deserves it.

Chapter Text

Viktor woke his vision blurry at first ,he had not taken his medicine the night before so he felt awful. Groaning as he rose upright ,feeling along the fabric beneath him and his brain was suddenly wide awake. Looking around Jayce’s empty bedroom ,his eyes shot to the circled clock hanging just above the doorframe of the room. "Damn it." He whispered to himself seeing it was early evening ,he assumed Jayce woke late as well and didn't have time to wake him. Slowly adjusting himself and getting his legs off the bed ,setting his feet flat along the carpet. He winced to pressure in his bad leg ,being terribly sore from putting so much pressure on it the night prior.

He smelled of Jayce ,looking down at his nightwear ,that was borrowed. The whole room smelled of him ,it made Viktor's pain a little more tolerable. Noticing a envelope along the dresser beside him ,he immidiatly knew who it was from. Grabbing it delicately, not wanting to ruin the flate form of the paper he slipped out a folded one inside. He could see the writing from the sun peaking through the curtains behind, and shining on the letter. Unfolding it ,and reading almost studying each word in Jayce’s handwriting, wanting to remember each detail of it.

He couldn't help the slight smile that crept his face ,"Love Jayce." Viktor finished reading aloud before the events that happened before came to mind.
Viktor hadn't meant to grip the paper as he did feeling instant regret after his bodies frazzled reaction to the memory. This bad feeling coming to him ,though they had made the agreement it still felt wrong. Jayce hadn’t even been sober ,what if he didn't remember what had happened? Viktor hoped this ,even with knowing it was least likely.

Grazing his fingers along his bottom lip, reminiscing, it felt wrong—all of it felt wrong. But strangely, he missed Jayce. Not his touch, but his presence. Why now? Viktor thought, sighing while smoothing the paper out in his hands and carefully slipping it back into its envelope.
Viktor took a moment to collect strength in an attempt to stand. This wasn't the first time he wore his leg out until it hurt to put pressure on it. He would just tough it out. He managed to make it to the bathroom and get dressed, his uniform having a wrinkled texture due to not being dried properly or ironed. Viktor planned to stay home, his condition far too unstable to be going into the lab that day. Once back in his apartment, he took his daily medication and continued his research from home, expecting Jayce to come by as he always did.
He kept his note, putting it somewhere in his closet, where he kept many gifts from Jayce. Or gifts, as he felt about the trinkets and sketches given to him. He wanted to leave a note in return, but his mind was so busy fixating on being able to walk that it had completely slipped from his brain.
Jayce was smart enough to assume he was home, he assumed. And he waited while he worked, keeping an ear out for the creaking of his front door. And he waited as the sun disappeared along the horizon of Piltover’s structures. Waited as he ate some leftover soup made by Jayce the night prior. Then it was early morning, and he had waited so long he dozed off at his dining table, one of Jayce's journals still open along the table as Viktor’s skin slowly met the rough texture of the pages.
He sat up quickly in an attempt to wake himself, groaning softly, pressing his palms along his face as if he could rub the tiredness away. Eyeing the journal, his emotions and thoughts mixed. Jayce still wasn't there. He hadn't even tried to wake him before leaving him alone. No, no, it's not like that. He's a councilor. There’s more responsibility than Viktor could ever comprehend.
He stood in a daze, lost in his clouded thoughts, feeling confusion in his exhaustion.
Jayce could've at least stopped by. He wrote a letter. He doesn’t owe me anything.
He stumbled into his room, holding onto the doorframe while staring into his dark, empty space. What if he hadn’t come to see him because of everything that happened? And if he had—had he ever been so inconsiderate to think that maybe Viktor regretted it, too?
It felt like obsession at this point—these thoughts that forced Viktor’s tossing and turning, this regret that churned in the pit of his gut.
Eventually, the sun was back, another day starting. And Viktor lay awake, still in his bed. His sheets had slipped from the corners of his mattress from all the movement throughout the night. After a moment, he stood, his leg still feeling contused with each step.
But this overwhelming sense of existential dread that always clouded over Viktor, even before Jayce, was back. And this feeling was something that motivated him in his work. And with this motivation, his drowsiness wavered. He went on as he always did every morning—showering, dressing, taking his medication, and heading for the lab.
Once he arrived, he noticed all the researchers and management of the building just coming in to unlock the doors.
"Morning."
Most greeted each other—some too tired to even bother with greetings.
Once off the elevator, he entered the lab to be unsurprisingly alone. How quiet it was without anyone else here. It was strange—so many years in this room, and this was probably one of the very few times he went in to work alone.
Proceeding where he left off in their work after getting comfortable on his stool, he couldn't help but have his attention continuously land on the neighboring lab’s door. He heard the chimes, almost as if they were growing louder. Was it always this loud? Or was it because there was no one there with him, distracting him from the real importance?
He found himself getting up from the stool, not knowing what was suddenly coming over him. This arrogance of completely ignoring Jayce’s rules, put in place to protect him.
He scoffed to himself. I don’t need protecting.
Startled, he stopped in his tracks. The sound of door hinges creaking as the lab door opened—almost cautiously.
He immediately knew it wasn't Jayce. He never shied away from an entrance.
Sky’s silhouette came from the doorway.
"Viktor! Sir, you're here really early." She exclaimed, also being decently startled herself.
"Good morning to you as well, Ms. Young," Viktor went on, eyeing her for a moment, noticing how much healthier she looked compared to everyone else. Her eyes were wide, with no darkness beneath them. She was alive. It gave the scientist a sense of nostalgia, reminding him of himself in the academy.
He sat back down, realizing he wasn't as far from his stool as he thought.
This feeling of confusion was bothering him immensely, and it was hard for him to hide. Even Sky could see it.
"I'm sorry. Good morning, sir. I can get everything set up really quickly for you. Did you mean to keep the lights off?" she asked, confused while placing her coat and bag along a coat hanger.
"Yes, I don’t prefer the lights on so early. The natural light is enough."
Viktor turned away, looking back at the files, unable to stop himself from glancing at the door every now and then.
Sky silently nodded while going along and putting books and gadgets in their places for testing.
They hadn’t realized how fast time was passing while working, but soon it was almost noon.
Which meant Jayce was officially late.
That wasn’t anything out of the regular since he'd become a councilor, yet still, it agitated Viktor further.
Sky was practically walking on eggshells now, not wanting to do anything that’d trigger him, but her nerves got the best of her, and her fidgeting didn’t help Viktor’s focus.
"Ms. Young." Viktor sighed out as he stayed concentrated on the map he was drawing.
"Sorry," she immediately stopped herself, stiffening her body.
Glancing at her and immediately feeling bad, Viktor went on, "When was the last time the professor was here to check up on things?"
Sky’s expression changed drastically to almost scared. She broke their eye contact, looking back at her journal.
"Uh, well... it was announced this morning that he’s retired from the council."
"What."
Viktor’s eyes widened with surprise, and the first thing that came to mind was Jayce.
No, Jayce couldn't have.
He clutched his pencil, pressing so hard the sharp lead broke from the tip.
Clenching his jaw, Sky saw that he was upset now and quickly got him a spare pencil, then handed him the figure ruler he needed.
"Thank you."
They continued without words now for a long while—until eventually, Jayce finally decided to show up.
Swiftly opening the door and greeting Sky, "Evening. Sorry I'm late. Here, I have lunch for you. It’s a sandwich."
He poked at Sky, who laughed nervously while glancing over at Viktor, who stayed silent at his desk further away from the door.
She had a feeling to warn Jayce of Viktor’s unpleasant mood, but it was impossible in the quiet space.
Instead, she went on, "I'm going to the ladies’ room. I'll be back in a moment."
"Okay, I'll sit your lunch at your station," Jayce smiled on while holding the door for her to leave, and she wasted no time, nearly rushing down the hall.
Jayce let the door close with a deep exhale.
"Jeez, she was in a rush. Good Evening...."

Jayce took off his coat, beginning to put on his wool brown apron and gloves. Viktor stayed silent, and it didn't take long for Jayce to realize he was getting the silent treatment. He approached casually at first, clearing his throat as if trying to see if Viktor just didn't hear him.
"I stopped by your apartment this morning to pick you up, but I figured you were here... I'm sorry for leaving you at my house alone." He sat in the chair Sky had occupied before.
Viktor was nearly grinding his teeth at this point; it felt like Jayce's voice alone was driving him mad. He didn't like the disgust he felt for him. He felt bad for even assuming Jayce had anything to do with Heimerdinger. Was this even about the professor?
"Viktor, seriously, I'm really sorry. I didn't even come to see you yesterday, but I got so busy—"
"How immature do you think I am? Of course, I'm not upset about you checking up on me." Viktor's tone was sharp and harsh, and Jayce was surprised by it, his eyes widening a bit as he immediately shut his mouth.
"Where is Heimerdinger?"
Jayce instantly had a sense of realization. He stared at Viktor, seeming lost for words, while his partner returned his gaze—waiting, but not with patience. Clearing his throat and quickly fixing his expression, Jayce realized he had no other option but to tell the truth.
"Heimerdinger is retired from the council. He was voted out when he opposed the council’s idea to do what was needed to protect our people... I—I suggested his retirement."
Viktor shook his head in disbelief, though he had expected this. And Jayce knew just from Viktor's gaze of dismay that he had disappointed him.
"So you exiled him when he disagreed?" Viktor's voice rose, echoing.
Jayce gulped. "I did what I thought was best for Piltover," he said, his voice shaking with anxiety.
"You said the same with me. You expelled me from this lab. You're aware this is the only place I ever want to be, yet I wasn't allowed here because of your fear."
Jayce nearly sneered in offense, and tension began growing.
"How can you blame me? You expect me to cling to principles while you're dying! Everyone's looking to me for salvation—I'm trying to hold things together for everyone, and you're worried about yourself. What happened to us?"
"Worried about myself? I'm dying, Jayce. I have no time to worry for anyone. I'm so close to achieving things no man has done, but you're restricting everything. You're the selfish one for thinking you are capable of holding together a city that broke apart ages ago..."
Viktor sounded mentally drained. It felt as if they had this conversation one too many times, but now it was different because Jayce had finally revealed his true feelings about Viktor. And the dread was back, heavy over both of them. They remained silent for a long while—so long that Sky had returned.
They both assumed everyone had heard their disagreement from the hall. Jayce gestured for her to come in silently, and quickly, she got back to work.
Finally, Viktor stood, grabbing his crutch and belongings.
"Where are you going?" Jayce asked.
Viktor at first did not want to respond as he opened the door. "To think."
Jayce couldn't help but silently watch Viktor leave. This argument felt different—it left a nasty taste in his mouth. He hated it, all of it, and also wanted to disappear just as Viktor had. But he could not, for the responsibility that hung over his shoulders was beginning to become overbearing.
"Uh, Councilor Talis, are we working on communicating with the Hexcore today?"
Jayce fixed his hair, standing from the chair he had slouched in. "Yeah—yes, I mean. I'll head in now."
Eventually, the day came to an end sooner than Jayce had hoped. It felt as if time was slipping away from him at times. Sky cleaned her station and announced her leave, both of them fairly tired from the long, draining day.
As Jayce finished up and turned in some paperwork on monthly attendance and research funding, he noticed Mel’s vehicle waiting outside. The apprehension in his chest tightened, making it almost hard to breathe.
It would probably be better to leave Viktor alone for tonight. The thought felt criminal, but each step toward Mel's vehicle didn’t help. Opening the door revealed Mel, who already had a worried expression painted across her face. Habitually, she would be annoyed from having to wait so long for Jayce to finish his work. But the dark expression resting on the Councilor was unsettling, even for her.
Jayce hadn't even stepped into the vehicle, so Mel took it upon herself to step out instead.
"What—what happened?" she asked hesitantly, staring up at him.
"Viktor. He's angry about Heimerdinger. We argued about it, and I told him—I called him selfish for not thinking about my feelings. I'm such an idiot..." Jayce shook his head, his voice cracking as he looked away from Mel, who attempted to follow his weary eyes as he covered his mouth.
"Jayce, it's going to be all right. Viktor is upset now, but I'm sure... I'm sure he knows you hadn't meant that. You cannot allow how he feels about the decisions you make as a Councilor—a person of power—to upset you—"
"Mel, I don't need you to lecture me. All this pressure I feel is overlapping and... and I only approached you to tell you not to wait for me anymore."
Mel was taken aback, confused by the sudden change in attitude. "What?"
"Don’t expect me to go home with you after I leave the lab. Don't expect any more dates or business parties. I've realized I'm no good for you. You need someone who can uplift you. We don't do anything for each other—emotionally, I mean. I can’t enjoy this anymore."
Mel, lost for words, her eyes darting along Jayce’s stilled face, took a moment to collect herself. Her thoughts showed through her expressions.
"You're right. I've known from the beginning all of this was too much for you."
Her tone was bitter, and Jayce knew her comeback would be distasteful. But as he gazed into her chartreuse eyes, he could tell she meant it. Turning gracefully on her heels and settling back into the vehicle, she kept her gaze forward while shutting the door.
Leaving Jayce alone once again. He was sure of himself—there were better ways to handle that. He couldn’t stand Mel’s convincing because he wouldn’t have been able to burn the bridge if he hadn’t upset her.
And so, he started his journey. Not home—but to the council building.
Meanwhile, Viktor took a trip back home—to Zaun. Perhaps a bit deeper than intended, to visit a friend. The only other person he trusted for guidance, or trusted more or less.
From Dr. Reveck, he collected two test subjects—a small lizard and a white rat. And something he knew he shouldn’t have taken either—Shimmer. A single vial.
He struggled to discreetly carry his luggage all the way back to the lab, but his pursuit of work kept him determined. By this point, he hadn’t felt like himself. Convincing himself this was for something far greater.
Knowing Jayce would understand.
Especially once he made a breakthrough.
Taking a back way into the building to avoid enforcers, he retrieved Heimerdinger’s—or now Jayce’s—keys from his equipment when the man had paid no mind earlier in the day.
Finally, inside, he reached his lab. Setting the cases of animals on his desk, he moved toward the other lab’s door, an overwhelming sense of anxiety washing over him.

After trying nearly all the keys, the last one caused a click, and the door slowly creaked open, allowing the looming blue light from within the room to escape. It was almost mesmerizing. Viktor felt heat rush to his head, his nose dripping from both nostrils, staining his uniform. He gulped, his mouth feeling dry, before quickly grabbing the cases of animals and bringing them into the room. Setting them on a distant table close by, he approached the Hexcore. It was calling to him. Placing his hands in the chambers, he twisted and turned the runes along the Hexcore, giving it a command to react with contact. Quickly pulling out Jayce’s notes, he studied the chalkboard ahead to ensure the mages were set to the correct runes.
Going over to grab the small green lizard from its cage, he found it squirming in his grasp. "Shhh," he attempted to calm it, and its movements gradually slowed.
Opening his hand, relieving the pressure, the lizard crawled along Viktor's knuckles as he turned his hand, watching to make sure it wouldn't fall. A fleeting sense of pity for the poor creature crossed his mind, but the Hexcore urged him to fulfill its command. So he went on, dropping the small creature into the orb. It was instantly pulled through the cracks—consumed.
Viktor gasped, surprised, his sleeves repeatedly wiping blood away from his nose. Quickly, he scribbled the analysis down into his journal. Perhaps subject number one was not big enough; the Hexcore had consumed it entirely. His vision slowly began fading in and out of focus, yet he couldn't stop—not yet. Just a couple more moments.
Hastily, he grabbed the rat from its case, which was unsurprisingly far more aggressive than the reptile. Holding it firmly by its body with both hands to prevent it from nipping at his fingers, he hovered it ever so closely to the magical orb. The pull from the Hexcore was stronger than before, drawing at Viktor’s hands as much as the subject. He gasped, quickly pulling away and dropping the rodent. But the Hexcore managed to drag it in before the creature could scramble away.
Instead of disappearing, the rat's fur seemed to boil off its body. It squeaked violently, the force radiating from the orb causing Viktor to lose balance, though his eyes remained locked on the experiment. The rat’s screams stopped, and it slumped forward. Everything stilled. Viktor remained on the floor, frozen in shock. Then, seconds later, its spine began to protrude, its body growing far larger than before—lizard-like spikes and scales trailing along its form while still retaining the shape of a rat. It was monstrous. It was beautiful. The sight overwhelmed him.
Quickly moving back to his feet, he saw the creature seemed fairly weak for now. Hastily grabbing its former case and placing it inside, he closed it, staring in awe.
"Fascinating," Viktor sighed in relief, a euphoric feeling washing over him—before his body suddenly faltered. He felt himself losing consciousness mid-step, the last sensation being a sharp pain to the side of his head as he hit the floor.