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Jayce slides as quietly as he possibly can into the hospital room, not surprised to see Viktor fast asleep. He fumbles with the bouquet in his hands, careful not to rustle any of the petals too much. Jayce had visited him once before, speaking briefly about Viktor's condition. He had been admitted to stay a few days in the hospital, and Jayce felt horrible not being able to stay there with him, since they had lots of work to do regarding Hextech. Jayce had also spent more time than he'd originally planned to with Mel the night that Viktor was admitted. He couldn't not see him again, though, and he figured he'd bring some flowers as an apology for not staying longer when he'd first visited. He was torn between them, but knew that Viktor deserved his attention more.
After quietly pulling up a chair next to Viktor's bed, Jayce sinks down into it, flowers still in hand. He closes his eyes, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he listens to Viktor's breathing, barely noticeable next to his own. He sits like this for a while, and Jayce finds himself muttering apologies to Viktor, wondering how he was going to explain himself and his absence.
After what felt like forever, Viktor's eyes flutter open slowly, and he starts at the sight of Jayce.
“Jayce?” Viktor says wearily, turning his head to look at him.
“Viktor! You’re awake!” Jayce smiles, grateful that Viktor had finally woken up.
“Are those… for me?” He asks, hoping Jayce couldn’t see the flush of color creeping up onto his cheeks.
“I, um, yeah.” Jayce awkwardly holds out the flowers he’d brought, and Viktor cranes his neck to look at them closer. “You don’t have to take them, I- there wasn’t a vase, um.” He sets them down on the nightstand next to Viktor’s bed and moves to the edge of his seat. “I want to apologize.”
“By getting me flowers?” Viktor quips, hoping to lighten up the atmosphere.
“Kinda.” Jayce wrings his hands, trying to distract himself from blushing any harder than he already was. “I should have been here for you.”
“You were.” Viktor corrects him, “Unless I was dreaming.”
“No, you’re right, I was. I… wasn’t in the right headspace though.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not exactly proud of it but, I was with Mel- erm, councilor Medarda, the night that you were admitted.” Jayce says, looking down at his feet.
“And what’s wrong with that?” Viktor furrows his brow, trying to meet Jayce’s eyes. “She’s one of our sponsors, we’re not forbidden from speaking with her-“
“I spent the night!” Jayce blurts, closing his eyes. Viktor prods further, trying to understand.
“Doing…?” Jayce scrunches up his face. The silence is heavy and he exhales, covering his face in his hands. “Oh, I see.” Viktor purses his lips, wondering how that even managed to happen.
“Had it crossed your mind that she might be using you, Jayce?” He doesn't dwell on it too long, thinking something was off about this new fling.
“What?” Jayce's head snaps up, his look was almost a glare.
“For Hextech.” Viktor adds with a sigh.
“No, she's not-” Jayce stops in disbelief as the words sink in.
Why else would she want to get close to him? He had something she wanted, and she was going to do whatever it took to get it.
Jayce’s mind swirls with thoughts as his jaw slowly falls open. He realizes what Viktor had said was true.
“How could I have been so stupid? And here I thought she…” He can’t finish the thought, not out loud, it would be selfish to even think such a thing. “I’m sorry.” Jayce tries to look at Viktor, but his gaze is averted, “I feel like I've betrayed you," He wrings his hands together, "us, Hextech.”
“You are just a man, Jayce.” Viktor finally turns his head to meet Jayce’s eyes. “Fortunately for you, you have a partner who is not burdened by the need for lusting.”
“It won’t happen again.” Jayce decides then and there, “I should have been there with you in the lab." he swallows, guilt-ridden, "Gods I feel awful.”
“Don’t.” Viktor says quietly, extending a hand towards Jayce, who hesitates briefly before taking it.
“I should have never gotten involved with her,” he shakes his head, ‘this is about us… about our dream. If it wasn’t for you,” Jayce rubs the back of Viktor’s hand with his thumb, “everything you’ve done for me, for us-” He stops as his throat tightens up and tears well in his eyes. Viktor nods in acknowledgment, squeezing Jayce’s hand gently. They stay like this for a moment.
“Come here,” He whispers and Jayce obeys, still holding onto Viktor’s hand as he stands up, leaning over him. “I am glad that you came back to visit me.” Viktor continues in a soft whisper.
“Me too.” Jayce’s words are almost inaudible as he nods with quivering lips. Viktor looks up at him sympathetically and raises his other hand to cup Jayce’s face, lowering his head down closer to him.
“Thank you.” Viktor says quietly into his ear before gently pressing his lips to Jayce’s cheek.
“Viktor?!” The kiss startles Jayce and he slightly pulls away, his mouth agape. Viktor almost immediately regrets the gesture before catching Jayce’s eyes flickering down to his lips. His eyes scan Jayce’s face, trying to gauge his reaction. Jayce glances down again, locking eyes with Viktor before lurching forward, stopping himself with their faces only inches apart. Viktor gasps, his eyes lighting up, and he can’t help but swallow nervously as his gaze shifts down to Jayce’s lips. Jayce starts to lean in again, but slower this time, and Viktor meets him in the middle, his hand still hooked onto Jayce’s jaw. The kisses are soft, but needy, and Viktor still has to pull away in order to catch his breath.
"Jayce..." Viktor sighs, accepting one last kiss before gently holding Jayce at a distance, "please." He takes a few purposeful breaths.
"Right," Jayce realizes Viktor is still laying in his hospital bed, trying to heal. "I should let you rest."
"You don't have to go." Viktor almost pleads, hoping Jayce would stay. He takes the hint and plops down in the chair, scooting it closer to Viktor's bed. In response Viktor lays his hand back out toward Jayce, who doesn't hesitate to take it this time.
“I won’t,” Jayce gives Viktor’s hand a squeeze, “not this time.”
“Good.” Viktor grins, pulling Jayce’s hand to his lips, kissing the back of it softly.
“So much for not being burdened by lust or whatever nonsense you said earlier.” Jayce laughs quietly.
“It seems to be a language that you understand, and I am willing to give you the physicality that you so desperately desire in order to show you how important you are to me.” A deep blush starts spreading across Viktor’s face. “I care a lot about you, Jayce.” He admits, his breath hitching as Jayce leans close to him. They press their foreheads together, bumping noses gently, just existing together in silence, and somehow, they seem to understand each other without saying anything. Jayce pulls away first, and there is a sparkle in his eyes as he looks at Viktor.
“I care about you too, Viktor.” He smiles, leaning over to whisper in Viktor’s ear, “Though, I also think you just wanted an excuse to kiss me.”
“Is it not fair to grant a dying man his wish?” Viktor’s lips curl into a pained smile.
“Don’t talk that way, Vik.” Jayce’s expression saddens. “You will be out of here in no time,” he sniffles, “we’ll be back in the lab just like we usually are, doing what we do best. I can’t-“ his voice breaks, “I can’t do it without you.”
“I know.” Viktor’s breath is shaky, “Which is why I need you in the lab with me, making your dream come true.”
“Our dream.” Jayce corrects him. Viktor nods, afraid he may start crying if he speaks. "Just rest for now, and I'll stay with you as long as you want me to." Jayce sits back down in his chair next to Viktor's bed, holding his hand.
"F-forever?" Viktor whimpers, the tears start rolling down his cheeks.
"Aw, V." Jayce nods, knows wiping them away will only invite the floodgates to open, "Save your tears for the lab, a failed experiment, a difficult equation..." he pauses, offering a small grin, "running out of sweetmilk." This elicits a sob-laugh from Viktor, who tries to clear his face from the tears that keep coming.
"N-not with y-you around, I w-won't." He stammers, still himself enough to take a jab at Jayce.
"Won't cry? Or run out of sweetmilk?" Jayce teases, and suddenly realizes Viktor probably hasn't eaten in a while. "Do... do you want me to bring you some?"
"No." Viktor whispers softly, shaking his head while keeping his eyes on Jayce. “Though, you have mastered making it quite well, almost better than I do, even." Viktor can't help but smile, knowing Jayce takes great care in providing for him, even the simplest of things.
"Only the best for the best... partner." Jayce sighs, watching Viktor's eyelids close, small lines creasing to show that his eyes are smiling. Viktor's mouth quivers slightly, but he refrains from saying anything and exhales shakily. He shuffles over on his bed, patting the mattress lightly to signal for Jayce to join him. Jayce knew Viktor probably only wanted him to sit on the edge of his bed, but Jayce climbs onto the bed, causing Viktor’s eyes to snap open.
“I-“ He starts, but immediately goes into a coughing fit. Jayce instinctively wraps his arms around Viktor, who leans over onto Jayce, gripping tightly onto his vest as he slowly regains the ability to breathe. He rests his head on Jayce’s shoulder as Jayce rubs his back gently. Viktor takes a few deep breaths, noticing the strong scent of the bouquet of flowers that Jayce had brought him.
“Did you…?” He pauses, making sure he wouldn’t have another fit, “Did you bring me roses?”
"There, uh, there might be some in there." Jayce eyes the flowers still sitting on the nightstand, “I’m actually not sure what some of those are.” He chuckles.
“Well, they smell nice.” Viktor adds before settling back down leaning up against Jayce. “Thank you.” In response, Jayce kisses the top of Viktor’s head, before laying his own head down on top of Viktor’s. They stay like this for hours, time is lost when they were together, and Jayce decides that whether they were in the lab or this hospital room, there’s no place he’d rather be than next to Viktor.
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art by my wonderful fren @rainbowhoodlum who you should go follow on insta: @rainbowhoodlum and on tumblr: @rainbowhoodlumart cause she's amazing <3
