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“Vik.”
The call is simple. He recognizes it the same as the voice from his dreams.
“Yes?”
The door softly closes, and long, familiar strides approach his seat. “You are needed at once.”
Jayce has been in and out of the laboratory for about an hour already. It is ridiculous to be playing him for a fool, removing him from his life’s work without reason. They have all the morning, all the morrow, Viktor reminds him. All the more reason, Jayce reminds him in return.
“By whom, Jayce?”
“That’s funny.”
Jayce is no sooner holding his arm, lifting him from the chair. Viktor pulls away.
“Jayce -“
The man shoves himself between himself and the desk, forcing their eyes to meet.
“I will not accept ‘no’ for an answer.“ Jayce’s eyes kindly bear into his soul. “You have been slaving away for two days, Viktor. Get up.”
Jayce takes his councilman work seriously, sometimes. Too seriously. “Why must I?” Viktor sighs.
His smile is soft, despite every push. “You have a new leg and you refuse to use it? I’m impressed at your ingratitude.”
Viktor lolls his head, but he’s caught in a hard place. “It’s hardly new. It’s the same DNA.”
“That was extricated and regrafted.” Jayce is lifting him with finality, his arm wrapping around him. “You have to exercise it or it will waste.”
Viktor can’t help but smile a little, though he’s not going to show it to Jayce. Lord forbid. “You should retire and become an attendant.”
“Excuse you, I already am one.” The retort is immediate.
Viktor settles on both feet, holding Jayce’s chest as he smiles. “Fair.”
Jayce smiles back, having won the debate. “Come on.”
It’s only a second day of the month, and Jayce is already fully aware of his schedule, per usual, and Viktor’s. Jayce may have been used to the spotlight, but if there’s one thing he knows, it’s how to care for his craft. Sometimes Viktor wonders if he’s in that category. A project of Jayce’s of sorts.
But when he takes one look at that man, he knows that that isn’t true.
“How is it?”
“Fine.”
“No pain?”
“Never.”
Even on his most tired and weary days, Jayce is always there to pick him up. Figuratively and literally. Jayce is hugging him so tight his feet lift, slipping on nothing, making him laugh. He‘s more faithful than clockwork.
After a chaste kiss to the cheek, Jayce’s hands are on his waist, hoisting him up onto the counter. “What are you in the mood for?”
“Hm. Eggs?”
Jayce gives him a look. It’s a very specific one, one that’s confused, a little daft, a little indignant for no good reason. It’s a cute one. “Eggs.”
Viktor leans back on his arms. “Is there something wrong with eggs, ‘get three containers, please’?”
Jayce snorts. “You don’t understand. They’re high in protein, low in fat. I don’t crave them, I’m just… I mean, I kinda do, but it’s not like that.”
Viktor taps Jayce’s hip with his knee. “Scrambled.”
Jayce pauses, looking over at him. He has his whole setup: one pan, two slices of bread, perfectly sliced butter, a spatula, and two plates. He nods, ever the gentleman. “Scrambled it is.”
From the view on the countertop, Viktor gazes out the window, sun rays peering through the glass. He wonders why they even keep track of time in the first place. The sun never sets here unless they remember to move it, and when they do, sometimes they’re lost in the quiet night and glimmering stars and seldom let the greater sun return. But they do, eventually, because Jayce misses the light. All the constellations are still the same as the day they were drawn wholly into them.
Viktor watches as Jayce cooks. The sizzle of the oil meeting the egg is admittedly one of Viktor’s favorite sounds. It’s become the indication that Jayce is awake, most days, priming Viktor to the same winsome sight every morrow.
And if it’s absent in the morning, it’s because Jayce is still in bed, so there’s no comfort lost.
For such a bright man, Jayce has his simplicities. He likes plain clothes, rather immodest at times, but it’s for your eyes only, anyway , so he can get away with everything. Today, he’s in a sleeveless thing, a “tank top,” so Viktor’s heard him call it. It fits him well in contrast to his pants that hug him only at the waist. “Sweatpants.”
Viktor takes to the same wear he always had: vests and slacks, although; he’s become quite fond of t-shirts and sweaters and scarves. Jayce likes him in anything comfortable, unrestrictive to movement, and Viktor has come to follow.
“May I have the bread?”
Jayce snaps him out of his thoughts. Viktor nods, picking up the container and putting it on the counter space beside him.
“Thank you.”
Jayce idly puts his hand over his thigh. Viktor smiles as he puts his hand right above his lover’s.
“Of course.”
It’s strange, almost, to think. It’s something Viktor’s never quite admitted to himself before, never let himself feel. He always assumed the kindness was something of obligation, of love for the work before them. But never did it feel like this. He’s never been so unbound before someone, made raw in all his heart and mind. He’s never felt that and been unafraid of it. And beyond unafraid but sure of it.
Jayce is warm, kind in every regard. He’s as beautiful as magic, even without his ethereal form. With it, too, in any sphere. He’s magical.
“You’re staring.”
Viktor scoffs. “What else do I look at?”
Jayce shrugs, stirring the mixture. “It’s not what. It’s how.”
“Then,” Viktor starts, amused, “how do you want me to look at you?”
“Less intent to analyze me from the inside out would be nice.”
“Less intent?”
Jayce turns down the stove. “Right.”
“Less of an analytic eye,” he conjures, “and then… what in its place?”
Jayce looks up at him. Viktor squeezes his hand.
Viktor’s breath is stolen, and not in a way that feels suffocating, like it’s usually supposed to. His eyes flicker down to his lips, something kind faithfully brimming in his chest. They need no words to lean in for their lips to meet in a lingering kiss.
“How was it out there?” Viktor asks, voice soft.
“Fine,” Jayce sighs, plating the eggs. He always has a positive outlook first, even when things don’t always run smoothly. Then, he admits, “they didn’t really take to it.”
Viktor hums. “They never do.”
“I think we complicate things too much.”
“Perhaps.” Viktor slides the plates around, switching them for him. “But give it time.”
Jayce smiles as the sizzle is muted by the next slice of bread. “I suppose we have a lot of that.”
Viktor chuckles.
It doesn’t feel right to consider themselves gods. Perhaps they are, or maybe this is heaven. It was never clear, coming into the blinding emptiness. But there among the indescribable shadows was substance, and they made the world to their desires.
The Hexcore was gone, in all gratitude. Viktor was terrified, at the start. They had nothing left. But in his palm was another, and when he looked at him, nothing was missing.
“Breathe.”
It didn’t feel like anything was happening. But words rushed in like a stream of consciousness, something unbound, something simple, something wonderful.
“You are safe. Breathe, Jayce.”
Everything was moving. Nothing was. It was impossible to tell. All he knew was that Jayce was there. He held Jayce against his heart as he sobbed.
In that moment, all Viktor knew was one thing: don’t panic.
“Viktor.”
His eyes opened, face streaked with tears. The particles faded into mist. Viktor wanted to wipe each one away, but he could barely lift his arms.
It didn’t matter.
In a flash of time, Jayce was closing in, and Viktor’s heart opened wide. He could breathe. Finally, he could breathe.
There’s a soft sound of metal sliding, being placed down. A gasp escapes Viktor’s lips before he can even realize it. Jayce has a habit of sneaking up on him, even when he’s right there. Maybe he needs to pay attention to the waking world a little more.
But what does it matter? Why does it matter if he’s always being drawn right back to him?
“Vik,” he says softly, hands firm around his waist, eyes trained on his face like it holds the galaxies. “Look at me.”
Viktor can’t help but smile when Jayce gazes at him like that. “I am.”
“Well, now you are.”
Viktor reaches up to cup Jayce’s cheek, giving him the contact he knows they both want. Jayce lights up like a firework. So damn cute.
“You look happy,” he says. Viktor’s heart merely leaps when Jayce presses close, nuzzling his head into his shoulder. “It looks so good on you.”
Their arms wrap around each other. Viktor cannot stop smiling. His eyes are closed, finding bliss in the glow, thoughts of Jayce and every shadow and light he’s seen of him pooling into memory. “Jayce,” he whispers in reply, opening his eyes to him.
Jayce lifts his head. “Yes, darling.”
“May I come down?”
Jayce kisses his cheek, tucking a lock of hair behind his ear, certainly an unwashed mess. “Just a moment.”
Viktor loves seeing this side of Jayce. They hardly get to laze around like this, at least, they never used to. It was always closed doors, scrubbed chalk, clustered hexes. That was the only source of light they were ever exposed to. It was difficult to even see each other day in and day out.
Now, Viktor can’t imagine a day not seeing Jayce so clearly and fully. The years of pain and war are still somewhere in that face, but his eyes are so golden. It’s almost blinding. Now, it’s easy to find their legs tangled on the floor, observing pages hip to hip, stolen kisses and truly glad countenances. It feels like affection, unfettered and unhurt.
Jayce’s hand moves down his side, making him shiver. He stops just over his thigh, the postoperative site. His smile softens. “Be honest, Vik. Does it hurt?”
“No,” he replies, absentmindedly massaging Jayce’s shoulders. “Only a little.”
“So it does.”
“It is beyond tolerable, Jayce.”
“Well…”
Jayce removes him from the counter with sturdy hands, and Viktor breathes as both feet reach the floor.
Coming back into human form was a long choice to make. After the plane stabilized with them roaming in it, there lay the question of what do we do now?
Viktor knew from the brief separation in the arcane how lonely it would feel for an eternity. Even though they had each other, the universe was no small thing. It was daunting being among the infinite and uncharted stars, and so Viktor made a plan.
“Let us return.”
Jayce’s eyes went wide. “What?”
“You are unhappy here.”
Blinking, he shook his head. “I’ll get used to it.”
“When?”
The silence answered more than enough.
Viktor held his hand, still tender, a frigid white. “I want you to be happy. I want you to be so happy, Jayce.”
Jayce sniffled, the sorrow welling up again. It split his heart in two. “I - I don’t want to be upset. It’s not fair to you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Viktor’s arms came around him, colors blending into warmth. “You cannot control that. I love you no less.”
There, they rested. And slowly, his tears subsided. “Let’s return,” a little hoarsely, Jayce whispered in his ear.
“You’re sure?”
He nodded against his hair. “And I want all of you. Nothing changed. I want to be there for you.”
It was impossible to tell if their hearts remained, but in that moment, Viktor felt the weight in his chest. He held Jayce near, his back, his neck.
“Of course.”
Jayce’s hand moves over his leg like it’s the most precious thing in the universe. Viktor blushes, realizing that such a thought might not be far from the truth.
“… I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
“We made this choice,” Viktor whispers, threading their fingers together. “I think that it will work, slowly. We do not need to heal so urgently.”
Jayce lifts his head. “Alright. But you lean on me, okay? I’m right here.”
Viktor can’t imagine relying on anyone else. And so, as Jayce balances two plates on one arm in an impressive feat, Viktor holds his hand as they gingerly move to the dining table.
Jayce lays down the plates across from one another, and he pulls out his seat. “The kids miss you.”
“I miss them.”
“One tugged me on my sleeve over and over, asking about you.”
The image plays in his head like a film reel, catching Jayce’s surprise and humility to stay on one knee. Viktor smiles as he picks up the toast. “What did you say to her?”
He knows quite well what transpired, but he likes hearing it from Jayce’s voice. “‘He will return,’” he recants. “‘He always does.’”
Viktor chuckles. “Oh, so dramatic.”
“What do you mean?”
“I am fine.”
“You are injured.”
It’s difficult to get through one real bite. “It is a new procedure, yes, but this is much different.”
“Different how?”
“It… hurts less. It stings, but… in a way that feels like it’s good,” he explains to Jayce’s rapt attention, his sweetly intent expression. “It does not make me fixated on it.”
“And that is…”
“…a good sign. Only good.”
They spare a moment to eat, sitting with the truths in mind.
“It is the same as anything healing, Jayce.”
Jayce pauses.
“It always has to hurt, even if it’s only for a little while.”
Jayce remains quiet after that, a little troubled, a little content, deep in thought. Even sitting down, his presence is large, and he makes the kitchen look rather small. It’s amusing, and Viktor spares the wandering notion to reach out and take his hand.
”Talk to me.”
“It’s -” Jayce starts, shaking his head, “it’s nothing, I’m just…”
The sun filters in just below their gazes, down over their feet. Jayce inhales, and Viktor covers his palm with his own. They did this often, a call to focus, to wait on rushing answers before. Their haste never amounted to much, and so they would let things slow, reminding each other that there was never enough to be sought that could not be found someday.
“You are wise.”
So are you.
“Even when I still fight the urge to find answers at once, even when we’re not looking there. We’ve gotten so used to - to progress. I… I only want the same for you, and to… remove all the pain…”
Their fingers interlock, Viktor’s leading, Jayce’s slow, but he follows.
“Breathe.”
Jayce closes his eyes. Viktor presses his finger into the gentle space between Jayce’s, feeling his pulse.
The breath of life, it’s a mysterious thing. It still is. It’s something they’ve learned yet are learning, and hoping to perfect. They chose this life. Here they will stay.
Viktor sighs as the thrum slows. He gets up and rounds the small table, gathering Jayce up in a hug.
“You are the reason I didn’t give up on the power of love,” he says slowly. “As a… force. A real, moving one.”
Jayce exhales a sharp, almost sob. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Long laying behind the pressure of constant work, the two finish their meal and rise, chatting tirelessly like it’s been eons, when it has only been two days' time. Every escapade tends to lead down this lane, even an hour’s work endless discovery to discuss. Every venture outdoors, every interaction, every breakthrough, they take it with joy.
All the while, studies on the environment and human form never go beyond what is necessary, and Viktor only stands taller with his cane. That is, when Jayce is not near, and the man hardly ever is such.
“I love you,” passes between their lips. “I love you.” Years of missed opportunities. “I love you.” Kisses under the gentle shower. “I love you.” Assurances they were never told.
They pass the threshold of their most safe place, the room that Viktor has only grown to adore. Soon, they’re laughing through tears, holding each other, pressing longing breaths against warm skin.
“Which equation was that, again?”
Viktor laughs, “it was not an equation.”
“Then what was it?” Jayce beams, knowing just what he’s doing, kissing every reply short.
Viktor grunts as Jayce’s knee presses into his own. Jayce pulls away from it at once. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
Viktor exhales. “I’m fine.”
Jayce shakes away the worried look, slipping his arms around his waist. Viktor’s hands move to caress his back.
“Jayce…”
“I know.”
Viktor runs his fingers through his hair, settling in as Jayce lays above him.
“I’m not giving up.”
He feels Jayce grinning against his neck. “I know.”
“Maybe we should have changed at least a little.”
“How so?”
“I am but a stick, and you are a beast.”
Jayce guffaws. “Or… maybe you just need to come out and eat regularly.”
“I suppose.” Viktor squeezes him tight.
Jayce pulls back a little, and once their eyes meet, they’re wrapped in another perfect kiss.
“It doesn’t… when we, does it…?”
Viktor flushes. “A little hurt is… enjoyable.”
Jayce lights up all over again, giggling the most charming melody. “Is that so?”
Viktor merely suppresses a scream as Jayce holds him down, littering his shoulders and neck with kisses. Viktor’s always been quite ticklish, they both are. He never knew it until they had moved from their bodies so long ago. It’s a wonder, even in the littlest of things. It baffles him, somewhat. It feels like love.
After a few minutes of fully laughing, breathless after crying from the surprise thrill, Viktor realizes he definitely needs to watch his health. But when Jayce gives him those same, starlit eyes, it’s easy to forget everything else.
Jayce shifts onto his side, pulling him near. Viktor’s hand finds his hip.
“Rest, my partner,” Jayce whispers in his ear.
As the shudder flows through him, Viktor smiles. He reaches up to cup Jayce’s cheek, stroking his beard. And there, in the fading and swirling emotion comes the most powerful feeling of all, kindness wrapped in a holster of peace.
Their lips meet in sweet union, and all is well.