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The dream was warm and perfect. Jayce could feel the weight of their tiny sons in his arms, their small hands grasping at his fingers, their soft coos filling the air. Viktor was beside him, looking more radiant than ever, smiling as he traced gentle fingers over one of the babies’ hair. Their home was filled with the quiet joy of a family finally complete.
"Jayce!"
A frantic voice cut through the dream, dragging Jayce from his peaceful slumber. He groaned, shifting slightly, only to jolt awake when he felt a presence looming over him.
"Jayce!" Viktor’s voice was sharp with distress.
Jayce’s eyes snapped open, and his breath hitched at the sight before him. Viktor stood over the bed, his night robe barely tied around his swollen middle, hair in disarray, and eyes ablaze with sheer desperation. His hands cradled his stomach protectively.
Jayce scrambled upright, his heart hammering. "V? What’s wrong? Are you okay?"
Viktor let out a dramatic, shuddering sigh. "No, Jayce. I am not okay. We have a crisis."
Jayce’s panic spiked. He reached out, grasping Viktor’s hands. "Crisis? What crisis? Are the babies—?"
"All my sweet milk is gone."
Jayce stared, mouth slightly open. "You woke me up at 3AM… for sweet milk?"
Viktor looked at him as if he had just said something profoundly idiotic. "It is gone, Jayce. There is none left." He gestured wildly. "I checked the cupboards. The pantry. Not a single one remains!"
Jayce dragged a hand down his face, still trying to get his heart rate back under control. "Vik, you scared the hell out of me. I thought—"
"You should be scared," Viktor interrupted, stepping closer, his belly pressing against Jayce’s arm. "The babies need sweet milk, Jayce. They are upset. Look!" He grabbed Jayce’s wrist and pressed it firmly to the curve of his stomach. Sure enough, there were fierce, insistent kicks.
Jayce huffed a soft laugh despite himself. "Okay, okay, I get it. They're throwing a tantrum."
Viktor nodded solemnly. "You must fix this. Immediately."
Jayce looked up at his husband’s serious expression, the sheer tragedy in his eyes over sweet milk, and couldn't help but grin. He let his hands slide over Viktor’s belly, rubbing slow, soothing circles. "Alright, love. I’ll go get you some sweet milk."
Viktor let out a relieved breath, leaning into him dramatically. "You truly are the best husband."
Jayce kissed his temple and chuckled. "I know. Now, let me throw something on before you collapse from milk deprivation."
Viktor sighed. "Be quick, my love."
Jayce just laughed, shaking his head as he prepared to go on his mission.
─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─
The streets of Piltover were eerily quiet at this hour, the usual chatter of the citizens replaced by the sound of crickets and the night breeze. Jayce’s boots stomped against the cobblestone as he made his way to the only open shop nearby.
The bell above the door jingled as he stepped inside. The warm, dimly lit interior smelled of herbs, parchment, and something metallic. Behind the counter, old man Leander sat reading a book, his spectacles perched at the end of his nose.
At the sight of Jayce, the elderly shopkeeper raised a bushy brow. "Well, well, if it isn't Councilor Talis. What brings you to my humble establishment at this ungodly hour?"
Jayce sighed, already heading toward the shelves where dairy products were stored. "Viktor ran out of sweet milk. Apparently, it's a life or death situation."
Leander let out a bark of laughter. "Ah, cravings. A true force of nature." He leaned back, stroking his beard. "Back when my wife was expecting, she woke me up at two in the morning demanding pickled fish and chocolate."
Jayce grimaced. "That sounds horrifying."
"It was," Leander said solemnly.
Jayce finally found the sweet milk, grabbing two tins just to be safe. As he placed them on the counter, Leander smirked. "You should buy extra. Just in case. Pregnant omegas are unpredictable creatures."
Jayce considered it, then grabbed a third tin. Better to be safe than sorry.
Leander chuckled as he rang up the purchase. "You're a good man. Viktor’s lucky to have you."
Jayce smiled sheepishly. "I’m the lucky one."
Leander handed him the bag, shaking his head. "Go on then. Get that milk to your husband before he declares war."
─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─
By the time Jayce returned home, the house was softly lit, a single lamp glowing in the kitchen where Viktor was waiting. He hadn’t gone back to bed. Instead, he sat at the kitchen table, hands resting over his belly, rubbing slow, absent-minded circles as he stared forlornly at the empty mug before him.
The moment Jayce stepped inside, Viktor’s eyes lit up, excitement washing over his face. "You have it?"
Jayce held up the bag of sweet milk with a triumphant grin. "Of course I have it. Did you think I’d fail our babies in their time of need?"
Viktor scoffed but reached for him anyway. "Our time of need," he corrected.
Jayce chuckled, pressing a quick kiss to Viktor’s forehead before pulling away to start preparing the drink. He moved through the kitchen with ease, pouring sweet milk into a mug with practiced ease. The soft clink of the spoon against the ceramic mug was the only sound in the quiet space, save for Viktor’s soft Omegan purr.
Once it was done, Jayce carried the mug over and placed it gently in Viktor’s hands. "Here you go, love. Just how you like it."
Viktor wasted no time bringing the mug to his lips, taking a careful sip before letting out a contented sigh. His entire body relaxed as the sweetness spread through him, soothing both him and the restless babies in his stomach.
Jayce knelt beside him, resting his hands over Viktor’s belly, feeling the babies move beneath his palms. "Still causing your daddy some trouble?" he murmured, rubbing slow, firm circles to ease the tension.
Viktor hummed, his free hand sliding into Jayce’s curls. "Less trouble now. They approve of their father’s efforts."
Jayce grinned, pressing a kiss against the soft fabric stretched over Viktor’s stomach. "Good. Because I’d go to the ends of the world for you three."
Viktor huffed a quiet laugh, threading his fingers through Jayce’s hair. "You are very dramatic."
"Says the man who woke me up at 3AM for sweet milk," Jayce teased, resting his cheek against Viktor’s stomach.
Viktor only sipped his drink smugly, content as his Alpha continued to soothe their babies with slow, steady strokes.