Chapter Text
"When exactly do you plan on taking a break from this?" Jayce placed Viktor's mug of sweet milk down on the work desk in front of him. The other man made a vague sound, as if weighing his options, though he refused to raise his gaze from the project before him. Jayce shook his head and moved some blueprints aside in order to get a better look at Viktor's precise plan for the object of his attention.
"...What even is the function of this, anyway?" Jayce pinched his brows as he perused the many notes jotted down in the margins.
"It's meant to help conserve energy when we have something attached to the Hexcore," Viktor answered offhandedly. "Could you hand me that?" Viktor pointed to a spare piece of metal and held the same hand out, again without breaking his concentration.
Jayce did as he was asked and watched Viktor screw the panel into place before turning his creation over in his hands. Jayce shook his head fondly and sat down next to him, taking a long sip of his coffee.
"'Conserve energy'? Is that a new problem?"
"Eh, I would just rather not risk overheating it. It's unstable enough as it is, it would probably be best if we didn't push it." Viktor flipped his magnifier down over his eye and adjusted it to observe a small divet in the metal.
Jayce hummed into his coffee and observed, handing his partner things when asked. "Do you want to go get lunch soon?"
Viktor briefly glanced his way then. Small victories. "Where?"
"I was thinking we could go check out that new place in town," Jayce offered. "Or just get something here. Your pick."
Viktor stopped working to think for a moment. "Couldn't we just order something out from this place?" He flipped his magnifier back up.
"We could, but I thought it might do you a favor to go somewhere other than here or your apartment today. It's not like we're on a time-crunch, you can leave some things for another day." Jayce insisted, sounding concerned for his rather introverted companion.
Viktor puffed out an annoyed breath. "I prefer doing things as soon as possible, so I don't accidentally miss or forget anything, Mr. Talis."
"Well, I'm sure you won't, seeing as how you check your projects over like a billion times before finishing."
This earned him an eye roll, as well as the other's full attention. Jayce would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy pulling his partner's leg every once in a while, or the annoyed stare he always got in return.
Anything to get to see those golden eyes. Jayce thought subconsciously.
This gave him pause. What? Why had he thought that? Why had he felt such satisfaction at gaining his attention? Why was he insisting they hang out, even if Viktor wasn't up for it?
Since when did he care about those things?
"Jayce?" Viktor's peeved tone cut through his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. And those eyes...
"Sorry, just tired." Jayce excused, looking away from the other to drain the rest of his coffee. "Would you, though? It would do you good to get some fresh air,"
Viktor sighed as he took up his own mug, though Jayce didn't catch the smirk that split his face to see that it was one of Jayce's "Man of Progress" mugs. "I suppose so, if it matters to you that much."
"Great! I think you would like it, it's a brunch place in the quieter side of town." Jayce grinned, looking up as he set his now-empty mug down on their shared desk.
"Brunch?" Viktor quirked a brow up, looking amused at the other's enthusiasm.
"I figured you might like it since it would have more sweet options," Jayce explained, though he sounded as though he were bringing up an old argument. "Even if I think it's absurd to consume as much sugar as you do."
"What can I say? I'm a simple man with simple taste."
Now it was Jayce's turn to roll his eyes, though fondly. "So does that sound okay?"
"Fine by me. Just let me work until then," And there went his attention, back to his work before him. Jayce almost missed the conversation, but allowed him to immerse himself in what he was there to do: work, not entertain a certain lab partner.
Still, Jayce couldn't help but miss the banter as soon as the quiet settled between them. For some odd reason he wished it was him Viktor was paying his undivided attention to, rather than his work.
But that was absurd, right? He wasn't clingy or anything, so why did he care what caught the attention of his partner? Why did he feel a weird form of jealousy curl within the depths of his chest, coiled like an impatient viper?
It hadn't bothered him this much in the past. Well, it had, but not so persistently.
Viktor didn't seem bothered at all; however, which almost made Jayce feel worse. Did he want him to feel bad about not paying Jayce any attention? No, he just wanted at least something other than set indifference.
...Maybe he was getting a little clingy.
"So, what all do you need to do to finish this?" Jayce finally broke the silence, taking to fidgetting with a complete project Viktor had set aside.
Viktor blew out a breath as he carefully screwed the circuit into place. "Well, I intend to make this into a sort of... replicable battery; similar to Hextech, but easier to produce and it helps conserve energy."
"And how long do you estimate it will take to perfect it?"
"Eh, maybe only a few more days. I've already been working it for a day or two, but if I want to make it the best it can be it will take me a bit longer." Viktor plugged the small device into the Hexclaw, and watched as it powered up and followed his movement.
Jayce's brows shot up. "So it's a kind of substitute for the crystals?"
The claw froze before becoming motionless, to which Viktor sighed and took out the 'battery' to make more adjustments. "Not exactly. The battery is meant to take less power from the crystal, while providing the same amount of a charge. I just need to figure out how to better redirect it's power. The battery keeps dying out too quickly, and I can't figure out how to make it last longer."
"The crystals aren't going anywhere, so why?" Jayce wondered, though he was cautious. It was dangerous to mess with Viktor once he got worked up over a project.
"It would be more convenient to be able to redirect a singular power source to power more things. It isn't necessary, and you're correct, we aren't facing a shortage. But if we can use less of the crystals to do more, then we can do more." Viktor explained, his brows drawn low over his eyes in concentration.
Jayce loved that look...
Nope, nuh-uh, that's enough of that.
...And when he explained things...
"Alright, that makes sense. Mind if I take a look?"
"Be my guest."
God he loved that accent...
This is getting ridiculous.
Jayce stood up and took up the small cartridge, gingerly turning it over in his hands to decide what could be done. "Maybe if you strengthened the power usage just a little bit more, it would work better. It really only looks to me that it's just shy of doing what you intend it to,"
"Hmm, I suppose so." Viktor took his project back and adjusted it as instructed. "How has Caitlyn been? Is she doing better now?" He chattered on, hardly thinking.
"Oh, yeah, she's been feeling better. She told me it was just a bit of the flu, nothing serious." He was caught by surprise by the question, having forgotten he had told Viktor about his friend's illness.
"That's good," He hummed, genuine. "Sometimes I forget how different it is to be sick up here."
Jayce agreed, watching his partner carefully make his changes. It was nice of him to show concern, especially since him and Cait really weren't very accustomed to one another.
Though, Caitlyn did enjoy whispering about something with Vi and laughing good-naturedly whenever he went to catch up with her. When he asked about it one time, she just grinned and shook her head.
Sometimes he really felt like those girls knew something he didn't, and it really bothered him. What was so funny, anyway?
Jayce checked their clock and straightened up from where he had been leaning against the chalkboard. "Ready to head out?"
Viktor waved a hand distractedly at him without looking up. "Almost, just another moment."
So, Jayce slipped his coat on and patiently waited. Granted, it was much longer than "another moment," but he wouldn't fuss.
Finally, Viktor set his battery down and took off his magnifier, gently setting it next to the battery. He took hold of his crutch and pushed himself up. He stretched out his stiff limbs, his brow losing its tenseness.
He made his way over to Jayce, who stood next to the door, and took his coat from the coatrack.
"Ready?" Jayce asked as Viktor pulled his coat on, bracing against the wall for support.
"As I'll ever be." Viktor commented dryly, though he offered a tight smile to assure Jayce's nerves.
Jayce opened the door and waited for his partner to limp out before following. He shut the lab door tight, waiting for the lock's click before leading his friend down the hall and out of the Academy.