Chapter Text
The academy library was vast and quiet, with rows of towering shelves lined with books on every imaginable subject. Viktor had stopped in during lunch, hoping to find a text on structural integrity that he vaguely remembered skimming once before.
He didn’t expect to see Sky there.
She was walking down the same aisle, balancing a stack of books in her arms. Her brows were furrowed in concentration, her lips moving slightly as if reciting the titles to herself. Viktor, absorbed in his own search, didn’t notice her until it was too late.
They collided at the corner, the impact sending books tumbling to the ground.
“Dammit!” Sky exclaimed, dropping to her knees to collect the scattered volumes. “You should really watch where you’re going dude!” She scowled looking up to see Viktor’s worried expression
“I—I am so sorry!” Viktor stammered, crouching to help her.
“It’s fine!” she said, flashing him a reassuring smile. “I wasn’t paying attention either.”
Their hands brushed as they reached for the same book, and Viktor quickly pulled back, his cheeks reddening. “I… let me,” he mumbled, fumbling to gather the rest of the fallen books.
Once they had collected everything, Sky helped Viktor back on his feet grabbing his cane that had flew a few feet away from them
Viktor stared at her disheveled appearance holding the books close to his chest
“Sorry again Miss Young” he examined the floor but he could feel her gaze on him
Sky laughed, the sound light and genuine. “It’s okay, Viktor and please it’s just Sky”
“Got it” Viktor blushed, brushing past her towards the librarian’s desk
—
Viktor sat back in his chair grabbing on of the books from his pile he read the title Piltover plant species history he didn’t recall being interested in learning about botany but then it dawned on him
They had mixed up their books he leaned forward thinking of his next move he rubbed his temples trying to recall Skys address
She told me once, he thought, pacing back and forth, his cane tapping against the floor. I was distracted… Why was I distracted?
His mind flashed back to the day Sky had casually mentioned her dormitory. He’d been adjusting a particularly finicky mechanism at the time, nodding absently as she spoke. Now, the memory felt like a weight on his chest.
How could I not have listened to her?
His guilt festered until he could no longer sit still. Viktor grabbed the book and set off, determined to find her—even if it meant making a fool of himself.
He started with the dormitories closest to the lab, stopping anyone who looked vaguely familiar.
“Excuse me,” he said to a passing student, his voice faltering slightly. “Do you happen to know where Miss Young lives?”
The student gave him a wary look. “Uh… no?”
Viktor muttered a quick apology and moved on, but the interaction left him feeling even more awkward. I must look ridiculous, he thought, his grip tightening on his cane. Or worse—like some sort of creep.
Still, he pressed on, asking anyone who would listen. By the time he reached the far side of the academy, his leg ached and his heart was heavy with guilt. She deserves better than this, he thought, his mind racing. Better than someone who doesn’t even—
“Viktor?”
He froze, turning to see Sky standing a few feet away, a bag slung over her shoulder.
“You’re… out and about,” she said, a curious smile on her face. “Everything okay?”
“I… yes,” he stammered, clutching the book to his chest. “No. I mean, I—this is yours.” He thrust the book toward her, his face burning. “I realized I… did not know where to find you, and I—”
Sky blinked, then smiled warmly. “You went looking for me just to return this?”
“Of course,” he said, his voice soft. “I could not keep it from you. They are important.”
Her heart swelled at the earnestness in his tone. “You didn’t have to go to so much trouble, Viktor. I would’ve found you eventually.”
“It was no trouble,” he said quickly, though the slight tremor in his voice betrayed his nerves. “I only… I felt terrible for not remembering. You are…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “You’re extraordinary,” he finished, his gaze dropping to the ground. “And I should never have tuned you out.”
Sky’s breath caught. She stepped closer, reaching out to take the book from his outstretched hand. “Viktor,” she said softly, her fingers brushing his.
He looked up, his golden-brown eyes wide and vulnerable.
“You’re too hard on yourself,” she said, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. “But… Thank you. For saying that.”
His heart hammered in his chest as she leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “And for the record, I think you’re pretty extraordinary too.”
Viktor’s breath hitched, his mind spinning. Before he could say anything, Sky shifted her bag and nodded toward the path leading back to the lab.
“Come on,” she said lightly. “I’ll walk you back.”
He followed her without a word, his heart full of hope
Perhaps, he thought, a shy smile creeping onto his face, there is still time to show her how much she means to me.
—
The next day sky was walking toward the lab until she heard a conversation that piqued her interest “That Sky girl huh” a girl snickered
“Yeah she’s totally sleeping with her boss” another girl whispered “he went crazy yesterday asking everyone where she lived”
“She’s shameless. I guess she really isn’t that smart they made a mistake letting someone like her into the academy”
Sky felt her heart stop rumors like those spreading could end her whole career her grip loosened on the reports almost slipping out of her hands.