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As Jayce and Viktor walked on the path to the Kiramman’s mansion, Viktor felt the cold winter breeze hitting against his face, making him shiver. Viktor wasn’t usually one to spend Christmas with a lot of people, or anyone at all in fact. He didn’t even had a family to go back to for Christmas, and he categorically refused to go to those fancy parties held at Piltover that Jayce begged him to join every year because he apparently didn’t want to end up alone there. Viktor knew that it was false, Jayce was the golden boy of Piltover, the Man of Progress. He wouldn’t end up alone. Viktor didn’t even had to be there to imagine all the so called ‘sponsors’ rushing to talk to Jayce with a fake smile and only money in their eyes. Compared to that, Viktor was just… A mere assistant. Jayce always said that Viktor deserved to be known. That they were co-founders of Hextech partners. That each of them was just as important as the other, but Viktor didn’t really believe that.
This year was different though, Viktor wasn’t gonna spend Christmas alone. Instead, him and Jayce were invited by Caitlyn and her girlfriend for Christmas dinner at the Kiramman’s mansion. Viktor didn’t know who was gonna be there but he felt reassured when he heard there wasn’t going to be so much people. So he told himself that it wouldn’t be bad to celebrate Christmas for once. Especially if Jayce was going to be here too.
Viktor was lost in his thoughts when he heard the sweet and caring voice of Jayce besides him.
“V, do you need my scarf? You seem cold.” He asked with genuine smile tugging on his lips.
“Don’t worry, I don’t need your scarf…” Viktor looked away brushing off his offer.
“You might get a cold though. I wouldn’t want my favorite partner getting sick.” Jayce said letting out a small chuckle.
“Jayce, we are almost there anyways. You worry so much all the time… And by the way, I’m your only partner so in consequence I’ll always be the favorite… for now at least.” Viktor replied exhaling softly in amusement.
“Don’t worry you’ll always be my favorite…” Jayce said warmly with that smile that made Viktor’s heart weak.
They ringed on the doorbell and Caitlyn greeted them warmly as she saw Jayce and, Viktor wrapped in Jayce's scarf, on the other side of the door frame.
"I'm glad you both made it." Caitlyn said in her usual reserved demeanour.
"Hey guys" Her girlfriend Vi smiled as she suddenly popped out of nowhere to greet them as well.
"Hey Vi!" Jayce replied enthusiastically and Viktor just settled with a polite nod.
They entered the house, escaping the creeping cold of the winter. Towards the back of the large living room, Viktor noticed a blue haired silhouette sitting on the couch and another blue haired kid playing not too far.
"Oh that's Jinx, my sister. And the kid is called Isha, she's under her care." Vi explained.
The long haired girl waved casually.
"Hey, it's the first time we meet" She says looking at the new guests.
"Yeah I'm Jayce and this is my partner Viktor" Jayce proceeded to introduce himself and the hint of a smirk tugged at Jinx's lips.
He always said that. partners. Viktor thought to himself.
"Oh right-! I'm supposed to be watching the turkey while it's cooking, wanna keep me company pretty boy?" Vi asked Jayce and they both ushered to the kitchen excitedly.
"Well I need to make a few more preparations so be free to make yourself comfortable Viktor." Caitlyn told him as she also left.
Viktor was left on his own so he ended up joining Jinx on the sofa. He wasn't going to be standing there forever waiting for Jayce to finish, especially with his bad leg so he settled with sitting as well. There was a palpable tension in the air, neither of them said a single word and it felt awkward to break the silence so he was grateful when Jinx did it instead.
"You don't look like you're from Piltover, are you?" She bluntly asked.
"No indeed, I'm from the undercity actually." Viktor replied looking at her changing expression.
"That's what I thought. Yet you're co-founder of Hextech at Piltover, right? I didn't expect a Zaunite to be behind the whole thing to be honest. How come I never heard about you?" She said slightly raising her eyebrows.
"Well it's me and Jayce. But I do not particularly like talking in front of people and doing the whole presentations thing so Jayce does it instead. He's way more apt to it anyways." Viktor shrugged.
"I guess I understand... Most Pilties are never really excited to see a Zaunite smarter than them. They might even throw a tantrum and start whining like babies if they get outsmarted." She snorted.
Viktor couldn't help but let out a laugh at her joke. He started to actually find it quite nice to talk with the girl. They both had similarities yet they were so different, which made the conversations pretty interesting.
"How did you even fall for that sunshine boy of yours anyways" She asked as she chuckled.
Viktor froze. Was it that obvious that he was interested in Jayce?
"How did you-" Viktor looked at Jinx with a confused expression.
"What? He straight up said that you were partners." Jinx explained as she raised an eyebrow.
"Oh no we're not in a relationship-" Viktor clarified, understanding where the misunderstanding came from. "We're just lab partners-... He meant partners as in work partners." He corrected Jinx.
"His fault for not specifying... I totally thought you guys were together. But, you like him." She smirked slightly.
"Well-" Viktor soon realised there was no means to try and hide it. She already guessed regardless. "Maybe I do..."He gave a slight eye roll.
"Then why don't you tell him?" She straight up asked.
"Well It's obviously one sided! I don't get why you would even wonder why" Viktor said frowning.
"Oh... You really are oblivious are you. Have you seen how he looks at you? Even if I he hadn't said you were partners I would say you look like a couple." Jinx explained with a persuasive tone.
Viktor rolled his eyes but he couldn't help but wonder if he really had a chance deep down. People did sometimes mistake them as a couple and Jayce didn't really seemed to mind... Maybe he really was the gullible one here all along.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Jayce and Vi were 'watching' the food while it was cooking but they were mostly chatting and playing games, making a bit of a mess by stumbling around the furniture and ingredients.
"Okay you lose!" Vi exclaimed, breathing heavily from all the moving around.
"That's not fair!" Jayce said panting as he sat on a stool nearby.
"So... You and Viktor huh? Finally." She said changing the topic as she smirked.
"Huh what no-" Jayce gave her a confused expression.
"You said you were partners!" Vi frowned even more confused.
"We're LAB partners!" Jayce justified.
"Well that's damn confusing dude! Who calls their work colleague their 'partner' anyways... But you like him don't you?" She sneered.
"Well... It's complicated" Jayce explained letting out a small sigh. "I don't know if he even likes me..." He added.
"You guys are soo annoying... You definitely like each other. You have to tell him today! It's Christmas!" Vi exclaimed desperate to convince him.
Jayce thought about it for a bit but he was way too scared to ruin things between them if it didn't work out. Especially on Christmas Day.
"Well if I was being so hesitant with Cait, I wouldn't have the sweet and beautiful girlfriend I have now." Vi started to brag about her relationship for a good amount of time while Jayce wasn't really listening but more being tormented about Viktor.
"So as I was saying, you NEED to tell him dude" Vi finally ended her monologue.
"Okay maybe... But what do I even tell him?" Jayce looked at her desperately.
"Well we can practice come on!" Vi answered with a chuckle.
They both started practicing some cheesy phrases for a while, the unsure look on Jayce's face never leaving. Suddenly Jayce noticed something weird.
"Uh Vi is it me or is something burning?" Jayce raised an eyebrow as he asked Vi.
"shit"
"the turkey"
"shit"
Caitlyn returned to the living room and frowned as she turned to Viktor and Jinx.
"Do I smell burning?" She asked the two of them.
"Uh well I did think leaving those two to take care of the only turkey we had was a bad idea.." Jinx retorted.
"Damn it Violet!" Caitlyn shouted walking towards the kitchen.
"Come on Isha we can't miss seeing Vi getting scolded by enforcer girl" Jinx got up and walked towards the scene, a smile on her face.
At the same time Jayce came out of there walking towards viktor with an apologetic expression.
"Hey" He smiled warmly. Oh god how Viktor loved his smile.
"I heard you burnt our dinner" Viktor teased.
"Pff don't worry Cait and Vi are handling the situation..." He chuckled slightly while they heard some yells from the back.
"Doesn't seem like it's getting handled but sure Jayce." Viktor let out a chuckle as well.
"Anyways... That's not important... I wanted to talk to you actually, V." He seemed a bit nervous looking around the room.
"Oh... Well me too actually." Viktor said.
"Um should I start? I don't know do you want to start? I don't want to leave you hanging." Jayce started rambling nervously.
"No you can start Jayce." Viktor smiled slightly seeing his nervous state.
"Okay well- Since the day you saved my life, and we started to work on Hextech together... I always really liked spending time with you... And I was hoping it was the same for you. Because you're actually really important to me and- I was wondering if-... Oh god-" Jayce scratched his neck jittery about the whole thing.
"I like you too Jayce" Viktor smiled.
"What-" Jayce froze and blush creeped up to his cheeks as he looked at Viktor.
"I said I like you too" Viktor let out a spontaneous chuckle.
Jayce realised what just happened and couldn't help but keep smiling to himself. Viktor looked at him with affection in his eyes. Jayce always loved seeing Viktor's hooded eyes and crooked smile.
"I really really like you Viktor.." Jayce leaned towards Viktor and wrapped his hands around his back to pull him in a hug as he buried his face in the crook of Viktor's neck.
Viktor was caught off guard by the taller man's movement but ended up reciprocating the warm hug and found himself smiling more than ever.
"careful there I can't lean back further more if you keep pushing your weight against me." Viktor commented.
The hug felt like eternity and neither of them wanted to pull away. The grip was soft but tight and the two lovers hearts beat in unison. It was like a melody only the two of them could hear.
"Hey the two lovebirds! Very happy about you but can you please help us with dinner!" Vi shouted from the kitchen and the couple quickly pulled away blushing to each other.
"Coming!" Jayce replied and smiled at Viktor as he took his hand and headed towards the kitchen.
This was the first and the best Christmas Viktor ever had. Maybe it was the Christmas decorations, but Viktor saw Jayce's face glowing brighter than ever on that holy winter night.