Work Text:
Vik's voice ringing in his ears.
Affection, it says.
It was...
Affection that held us together.
He presses his forehead to the door of Viktor's room. He has keys, of course. Vik gave it to him a few years ago when he started coming here often enough.
"So, this IS your bedroom this time?" Jayce says, gently brushing off dust from a bookshelf. The room is not very decorated. Or clean. There is no gross stuff like rotting food but dust and spiderwebs everywhere. "Can't say I'm impressed".
Vik rolls his eyes. His mouth twitches in a half-smile.
"Not all of us have rich patrons, mister Tallis. Besides, I do not really see a point in decorating a room I only sleep in time to time".
He sits on neatly made bed. Jayce continues to observe. Yeah, dust and cobwebs. But everything is in order. Except desk, but everybody who uses their desk frequently has it messy.
"Heimendinger doesn't seem like someone underpaying his assistants".
Jayce sits on the bed. It's surprisingly firm.
"He doesn't. Still, I do not spend much time in here. Apologies for the mess".
Viktor fidgets with his hands. He looks tired. But Jayce can see a spark in his eyes.
A blue spark of Hextech.
"Do you have a backup cane somewhere?"
"...Don't worry about that".
"I can make one for you. I mean, it's not exactly what I was taught to do, but it's still a tool, right? The one that helps you walk".
Jayce places his hand on Viktor's shoulder. Viktor looks at him curiously, but doesn't attempt to go away.
"I'll... think about that".
Viktor takes something from his pocket. It's that little detail that they passed back and forth while floating in Heimendinger's lab.
"Right now, I am not concerned. It just seems so... mundane after our... hovering", he says, smiling.
Right now, desk is also covered in dust. Books are scattered around. Bed unmade. It seems like Viktor had a hard time cleaning it... or, maybe, didn't have time at all.
Between dying and all.
Jayce sits on the chair and looks at empty bed. Over the years he learned that despite it's firmness it's actually quite comfortable. For Viktor, anyways. He often said that good bed reduses the chance of a bad day for him.
There was... a lot of bad days in the last year.
"I hope you are not in pain now", Jayce says to the empty bed.
"I think you are overdoing it".
Viktor's voice is like a sound of creaking ice under one's foot. In an exceptionally pleasant way.
"I want to make sure it's comfortable. Don't want my partner going around with pain in his arms".
Viktor stands a bit awkwardly as Jayce takes measurements. The room is a bit less dusty now. But also, not as neat. Books, papers... not only at Viktor's desk, but also at his bed.
"I just think we could use our time more productively. We have so much work to do with Hextech".
"We are not in our lab, are we? You have your hobbies, I have mine. Besides, I am done for now".
Jayce sits and starts writing something in his notebook. Viktor sits beside him.
"Is that... me?"
"Hm? Yes".
"Are my cheekbones that defined?.."
"Uhm... no. They're quite noticeable though".
Viktor lays his head on Jayce's shoulder.
"And that is Caitlynn?"
"Yes. I like drawing doodles... keeps me focused on projects".
Viktor's breath caresses his cheek.
"What do you think of this design so far? I figured you'd want something similar to the old one".
"It's fine. I mean, I used sticks for a long time. I'm not picky".
He smiles a bit as he says that. Jayce don't see it but he can hear it in his voice.
"Well, you are going to use it everyday. It has to be more comfortable than a stick. Besides, I owe you at least that".
"What for?"
"Your help. If not for you... well, I might be dead now. And no hextech".
"To be honest, I think we are even. I get to work on a life-changing project too, after all".
Jayce shrugs, careful not to disturb him too much.
"That much is true too. But that is not the main reason either".
"And what is it?" Viktor asks after a short pause.
"I like doing stuff with my hands. And I like making something for others. For my friends".
"Hm. I thought we weren't friends".
Viktor's voice is calm. Soothing, even.
"Why so?.."
"I thought we were... partners".
Jayce smiles at the memory. But that smile soon dies.
Partners. Vik often made fun of him using that word too often.
"One of those days, Vik?"
Viktor nods. He looks tired already.
"You sure you don't want a day off?"
"Of course not", Viktor answers coldly, his eyes in their papers. "I didn't get to where I am by taking vacations".
He looks up at Jayce. His gaze softens a bit.
"I may have a bad day physically, but my mind is intact".
"Oh. Well. I didn't mean... sorry, Vik".
"It's Viktor. Now, do you intend to work today?"
Jayce just stares at him. It's a sunny morning. Viktor's eyes look way brighter than usual. Even thought he is a bit...
"What's gotten into you?"
Viktor sighs and countinues making notes.
"I do not like pity. Sorry, Jayce".
His voice is quiet.
Most of the time he came here it was for working together in "bad days". In this very room they came up with the first prototype of the Hexgates.
Other times, though...
Viktor's lips are dry, but it is a pleasant sensation. It gives... texture. He loves textures.
Jayce slowly moves his finger from the corner of Viktor's mouth across his lips. Viktor's amber eyes observing his every movement.
Viktor's hand is on Jayce's neck.
"Strictly a work relationship", Viktor says, his face neutral. Jayce can't keep his laugh.
"Oh, V. Don't spoil the moment".
"Sorry".
Jayce cups his face and kisses him.
Jayce blinks.
Viktor did not want to put a label on their relationship. He still responded to a touch, though. In fact, Viktor loved a good touch. In private.
Until he got worse, anyways.
...What he tried to accomplish reminiscing in this room?
He should go look for Viktor... in Undercity. Viktor should be here, right? Where else could he be?
But what if Viktor didn't want to be found? He has a right to.
I didn't ask for this.
Neither did Viktor.
Jayce sighs and carefully closes the door behind.
I'll give him time. Now he has plenty.