Work Text:
Ximena Talis often found herself worried, at least a significant portion of time. She had her reasons, of course, but how could she not be? Jayce, in one way or another, kept putting his life at risk in... unexpected ways. The last time had been with an explosion that left him unconscious for several hours but, thankfully, he was still alive and facing a trial ahead.
She paused in her duties as that day crossed her mind and let out a sigh, one she hadn’t realized she had been holding for quite some time. She gently shook her head and went back to writing her little list. Glancing at the nearest clock, she noted that it was another night Jayce probably wouldn’t be home. She was making the list just to distract herself, to feel a little more at ease.
Viktor was slowly getting used to working alongside Jayce. His hyperactivity and contributions made everything run more smoothly, and the rapport they shared was something Viktor had never experienced with anyone else. In a way, the whole process felt strangely endearing. Viktor was so absorbed in some operations they had been working on for the past few weeks that he didn’t notice someone had entered their shared workshop until the person made their presence clear by calling out to him.
“Sorry if my presence took you by surprise, I should have waited for a response.” Standing near the door, in a elegant posture, was someone Viktor recognized as Jayce’s mother. She had a calm smile and eyes that spoke of someone who had been through a lot. “You must be Jayce’s partner; he’s told me a lot about you.”
“That’s me.” Viktor wasn’t particularly skilled at casual conversations like this, but he appreciated the information that Jayce had talked about him with his mother. It was almost funny, and something he’d tease Jayce about later. He turned around to speak to her face-to-face. “Has something happened? Jayce went out for some materials, I’m afraid he won’t be back for a while.”
Viktor could feel Ximena’s gaze thoroughly assessing him, like she was deciding whether he was a suitable presence for her son. He stood still, waiting for her to continue and, in the best-case scenario, decided to leave and return later when Jayce was around. But instead, she gave him an even brighter smile, and something inside Viktor told him he had just passed an important test. The woman moved closer, slowly, and then presented a few sheets of paper.
“It won’t be necessary, I just wanted to give you this.” She offered the papers for him to take, but as soon as Viktor reached for them, Ximena kept his hand held firmly, now cupping his hand with both of hers. She watched him for a few more seconds, almost for her own enjoyment. “Jayce may be careless, but he’s a good boy. Thank you for trusting him.”
The smile and look she gave him were filled with affection and pure care, a maternal love that Viktor had rarely witnessed. It was a love so powerful it seemed to transcend all barriers. He could even feel its warmth in his own chest, and when she released his hand, he found himself longing for that warmth again. Jayce was simply fortunate.
Without waiting for a response, Ximena moved toward the door, and Viktor made no attempt to stop her. He just stood there, processing what had just happened and trying to make sense of the affection she had shown him. Finally, he understood where all the love Jayce radiated came from, his mother adored him so much that now, the boy could share some of that accumulated love with the world.
Returning to the present, Viktor moved toward one of the chairs to sit down and read what she had given him. He unfolded the sheets and smiled at the first few words. He rested his cane on the desk, determined that this was something important that required his full attention.
Dear Jayce’s partner, here are some things to keep in mind when working long hours together:
- Jayce tends to be forgetful, so remind him to eat properly, including small snacks.
- Wake him up if he falls asleep somewhere other than a bed or a sofa. He might experience aches afterward.
- Remind him not to slouch. He needs to maintain good posture.
- If it’s cold and he doesn’t cover up, force him to do so. We don’t want him to catch a cold.
- If he catches a cold, send him to the doctor, even if he protests.
- If he doesn’t, mention that he needs to shave. It becomes noticeable after a few days without doing it.
- If he has nightmares, gently stroke his hair to calm him down.
- In case of...
Viktor simply couldn’t believe how practical this little guide was, one that came with his partner. He wished all people came with one; it would make life so much easier.