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Jayce had convinced him to come to the gala, Progress Day was drawing near and he begged Viktor to accompany him almost on hands and knees. Viktor thought that was a pretty thing to imagine.
Viktor and Jayce had not even made it a full circle of the room before Jayce was pulled away by counsellor Medarda. Mel had given him an apology as she pulled Jayce into conversation with a couple decked out in what looked like enough gemstones to feed the entire Undercity for a week.
Thus Viktor had taken pity on his aching leg and back and enthroned himself in a less than comfortable loveseat style chair in the farthest corner of the room. He occasionally glanced over at his bright and smiling (lab) partner, trying not to be too obvious with his longing. Jayce was like the sun sometimes, warm and full of life but difficult to look at straight on for fear of losing sight of everything else around him.
Viktor expected to spend the next hour or so trying and succeeding to blend in with the furniture, being ignored by everyone around him, until he could politely return to the lab.
What he didn’t expect was to be approached by a stranger holding out a sparkling glass of champagne in offering.
“Hello Handsome, would you like a drink?”
Viktor looked up and met the green eyes of a person who was dressed immaculately. They were distinctly androgynous, but their well tailored suit accentuated all of their curves and made them look tall but inviting. They were covered in gold chains and jewelry, with hanging crystals that made a pleasing sound when they moved. Their shirt was unbuttoned almost down to their navel, drawing Viktor’s eye, before he shook his head and re-established eye contact.
“Thank you,” Viktor took the champagne.
The person gracefully sat next to Viktor, taking a sip of their own glass.
“Sky told me all about you, I was hoping we would have time to chat, Viktor.” The still unnamed person kept steady eye-contact.
“Quite a familiar greeting for someone who has yet to introduce themselves.”
Green eyes sparkled with mirth.
“I’m Sapphire, pleasure to meet you.” They held out a delicate hand for Viktor to shake.
“What brings you to my corner of the gala, Sapphire?” Viktor shook their hand and took another sip of champagne.
“Sky told me all about you and I desperately wanted to meet another member of Zaun who made it up here in Piltover.”
“You’re from the Undercity?” Viktor took another once over of Sapphire in surprise. Their manner and dress seemed to fit in well with the Piltover elite surrounding them.
“Yes, though not all of us were born with massive intellect like you and Sky. I made my way up here through slightly more salacious means.” Sapphire smirked at Viktor and gave him an exaggerated wink.
Viktor flushed slightly with understanding.
“You seem to blend in well with them,” Viktor stated. “No offense,” he added after a few moments of silence.
Sapphire laughed. “None taken, as you likely know, it's a delicate dance. However, I have my own little ways of keeping sane up here.”
“Please enlighten me.” Viktor glanced around the room again, having lost sight of Jayce.
“Well, for example, Counsellor Salo gave me quite the trouble when I first arrived, whispering nasty things in the shadows and making it that much harder to gain footing up here.” As if summoned, Salo appeared out of the crowd. Sapphire made eye contact with him across the room, he quickly turned bright red, and skittered away.
Viktor laughed loudly. “What did you do?”
Sapphire looked at Viktor again with an innocent smile. “I slept with his Mum and his Dad…at the same time…while he was visiting home. He certainly ran out of bad things to say when both his parents were singing my praises…quite literally.”
Viktor, who was mid-sip of his drink, almost spit it back out as laughter shook his frame. “That was a truly inspired move.” As his laughter died down Viktor looked around the room again.
Sapphire was silent for a moment, also searching before smirking again. “Thank you. Now, I didn’t come over here just to chat about spoiled Pilties all night. Your lovely partner seems to get around quick. Over there, to the left of the couple in the garish peacock feathers.” Sapphire pointed.
Viktor’s eyes met Jayce’s from across the room. Jayce, still next to Mel, had a strange look on his face as his eyes flickered between Viktor and his unexpected companion.
“Looks like your boy may be a bit jealous.”
Viktor’s eyes returned to Sapphire. “I mean you are quite handsome… beautiful… whatever you prefer.”
Sapphire chuckles. “That means a lot coming from a gorgeous face like yours but his jealousy is not quite pointed in that direction.”
“What do you mean?” Viktor looks incredulous.
“He looks like he is going to come stomping over here at any second, throw you over his well formed shoulder, and run away with you.”
Viktor’s face takes on a decidedly red flush and he finishes the last of his champagne. “Hah, nice joke Sapphire.” Viktor looks down at his leg brace. “Jayce is decidedly heterosexual, or at least deeply entrenched in the enviable wiles of Counsellor Madarda.”
“Viktor, that boy is not paying a single bit of attention to Mel or the rich Pilties he’s supposed to be shmoozing with right now. He’s looking directly at you and who could blame him. You blush so prettily.”
Viktor’s face feels like it is on fire. “That’s a nice thought Sapphire but you are wrong in this instance.” Viktor continues to look down, covering his face with a cool hand to calm his blush.
“Would you at least let me test my hypothesis, seeing as you are a scientist after all?” Mischief dripped from their every word.
Viktor looks up at Sapphire once more. “And how are you planning on testing this?”
“Well…if you are comfortable with it, I’m going to get a little closer to you and see how your partner reacts.” Sapphire scoots slightly closer to Viktor, their thighs now touching but waits for Viktor’s consent to continue.
Viktor looks speculative for a few moments before blushing again, glancing over at Jayce who seems to have resumed his conversation, and nodding his head with consent.
Sapphire glanced quickly across the room at Viktor’s partner before laying a slender hand on Viktor’s shoulder, looking directly into his golden eyes and sliding the hand slowly to his neck.
“What are you getting out of this by the way?” Viktor asked quietly, letting the veil of feigned intimacy fall over them both.
Sapphire’s eyes darken. “I get to feel up the most handsome man in this room and cause a little chaos.”
Viktor looks shocked for a moment and then slightly unsure.
Sapphire chuckles darkly. “Don’t worry my dear, I prefer women. Though if you are truely correct about your partner, which you are not, you are welcome to find comfort in my arms.”
Viktor goes even darker red. Deeply embarrassed by all the attention after the long dry spell of loving Jayce in secret.
Sapphire’s eyes flick away again sensing movement in their periphery. “Don’t look now Viktor but your ‘platonic, heterosexual’ partner, is on his way over and he looks like he wants to tear me limb from limb.”
Viktor looks over, eyes instantly meeting Jayce’s as he comes to a halt in front of them. He has never seen that look on Jayce’s face before.
“Now that’s jealousy.” Sapphire whispers in Viktor’s ear before abruptly releasing him and standing. “Thank you for your stimulating company Viktor,” Sapphire practically purrs his name, “I have a few things to discuss with Counsellor Madarda. See you soon.” They wave and wink before striding confidently away.
Jayce quickly takes the seat next to Viktor, putting a large, warm hand on his shoulder. “You seem to be having fun over here.” His voice sounds strained.
Viktor, still somewhat stunned by the events, is still looking at Sapphire as they seamlessly join the conversation across the room.
“Vik, are you okay? Who was that?” Jayce squeezes Viktor’s shoulder gently trying to get his attention.
Viktor looks over at Jayce, who still has a strange look on his face. “A new friend.”
“Just a friend?” Asks Jayce, his tone a bit strangled like he doesn't truly want an answer.
Viktor raises an eyebrow, pauses, and decides to continue testing Sapphire’s hypothesis just a little. “The same kind of friend that Mel is to you.”
Jayce looks confused, then worried. “Mel and I are just friends...so just friends then...”
Viktor looks away from him, not fully believing his words. “Then you have nothing to worry about. I'm going back to the lab.” Viktor picks up his cane from its resting place, fully intending on ending this painful conversation.
“Viktor, wait, can we talk more? I barely spoke to you all night.” Jayce’s hand leaves Viktor’s shoulder and gently grabs his wrist.
“I’ve been here for most of the evening.” Viktor shrugs and lets a small amount of frustration leak out in his voice.
“I know, I'm sorry. I wanted to join you all night but the investors kept coming.” Jayce still kept Viktor's wrist in his grip, gently moving his thumb back and forth in a gentle caress.
Viktor was being driven slightly mad by that thumb.
“I would like to get back to the lab.” Viktor pulled away and pushed himself to his feet.
“I'll come with you then.” Jayce stood as well, sliding a hand to Viktor's lower back waiting for him to lead the way out of the room.
“Don't you have more investors to speak to? I would hate for you to get on Counsellor Madarda’s bad side.” Viktor's eyes stayed glued to the floor as Jayce’s large hand bled warmth through Viktor’s thin blouse.
“Mel has had enough of my time. I haven’t been with you in the lab all week.” Jayce’s voice was deeply sincere as that troublesome thumb slipped on to Viktor’s bare back through the opening in his blouse and began caressing back and forth.
Viktor shivered. “If you are sure…”
“Positive.” Jayce smiled brilliantly, sensing Viktor had given in.
Viktor’s heart picked up the pace in response. He became slightly worried Jayce would feel it’s thumping through the hand on his back so he stepped out of Jayce’s grip and began to make his way towards the hall’s exit.
Jayce caught up and offered his arm for Viktor to take as Viktor waved goodbye to a winking Sapphire as they passed them. Viktor finally threading his arm though Jayce’s as they made their way to the lab.
Once there, Jayce poured Viktor a large glass of sweetmilk as Viktor made himself comfortable on the lab couch beginning to go over his recent notes.
“Viktor…”Jayce started, placing the sweetmilk in front of Viktor and sitting next to him on the couch.
“Hmm?” Viktor asked, distracted and already diving back into his latest theory.
“I hope this isn’t too forward but you really looked incredible tonight.”
Viktor froze, looking at Jayce in disbelief.
Jayce was not meeting his eyes but had a delicate blush beginning to show across his cheekbones.
“Jayce, you don’t need to flatter me.”
“Well, maybe I realized tonight that if I don’t, someone else will,” A moment of silence passed and Jayce seemed to backpedal, “I wouldn’t want someone taking my lab partner. Hextech wouldn’t survive without you.”
Viktor sighed, “Jayce, I will always be your partner in the lab. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Another beat of silence. Jayce seemed to be struggling with something.
“Viktor…what if I want ‘partner’ to mean something different?”
Viktor set down his notes, heart pounding again, and turned fully towards Jayce. “What do you mean?”
“Seeing you tonight, you were gorgeous, are gorgeous, and deserved to be noticed by every person in that room. But god, when your friend had their hands on you, I lost my head a little. I realized I was going to miss my chance to tell you how I feel about you.” Jayce finally met Viktor’s gaze again, eyes pleading to be heard and hopeful.
“Jayce,” Viktor started but Jayce placed a hand on his.
“Please, let me get this out?”
Viktor nodded.
“You are the most intelligent, beautiful human I have ever known. I know it’s selfish but I want to be next to you all the time, I want to be a part of your future and invent with you for as long as you will have me.”
“Jayce, what are you saying?”
“I’m in love with you Viktor.” Jayce looks just as startled that he was able to get the words out as Viktor was at hearing them.
“How much have you had to drink?” Viktor asks, searching Jayce’s face for any signs that what he was hearing was somehow incorrect or a product of wishful thinking.
“Not a drop.” Jayce places his warm hand on Viktor’s cheer, gently stroking the beloved mole under his eye. “Viktor, you are my everything.”
Viktor’s heart seems to stop for a moment before resuming its beat in triple time.
“Jayce.” Viktor looks into Jayce’s almost terrified eyes.
“What do you think Vik?” Jayce almost whispered into the thinning space between them.
Viktor decided to leap. “I’ve been yours since the moment we floated together in Heimmerdinger’s lab.” Viktor replies, wrapping a hand around the back of Jayce’s neck and pulling him in for a kiss.
Both men instantly felt like everything in the universe had lead to this moment, that they were meant to entangle at a quantum level. Any tentativeness or worry disappeared under the weight of many years of love and attraction finally realized. Nothing existed except the two of them in their lab, changing each other and the world together.
After several long minutes, they separated, staying close and breathing one another's air.
Viktor smiled, accent thick with affection, "The scientific method truly is a wonder."