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Jayce stands in front of the mirror, half-dressed. His shirt is in one hand, while the other hovers uncertainly over the small but undeniable curve of his stomach. It’s subtle, barely there. Just a gentle swell that only those who know his body would notice.
He breathes in slowly and runs a hand over it, as if that might smooth it way. It doesn’t.
Behind him, the sound of irregular footsteps. Viktor.
“You’re staring quite fiercely at yourself this morning,” he says gently as he draws up beside him, a touch of amusement threading through his accent. His eyes sweep over Jayce’s reflection, searching for whatever has captivated his partner so. Then they pause. His brows lift, not in surprise but in realisation. “Ah.”
Jayce can barely contain his smile. “I think it’s starting to show.”
“You think? ” Viktor steps closer, a smile of his own tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Well, I…thought maybe I was imagining it.”
Viktor’s hand, cool and careful, presses gently against the curve, investigating for himself. “Hmm. That is certainly there. ”
Behind the pair, silk rustles. Mel’s voice, smooth as poured wine, emerges from the other side of the mirror. “What are you conspiring over?”
She is wearing a deep blue robe, hair pinned back before she decides how she wants to wear it today. The morning light catches in her earrings, throwing tiny golden sparks across the walls. Her own gaze lands on Jayce, on where Viktor’s hand cups beneath the swell to accentuate its presence.
“Oh,” she breathes, and her own hand reaches over. Her fingers trail, feather-light and gentle, the shape of this new curve, before it settles on the crest. “This suits you.”
Jayce looks down. Exhales. This is only the beginning. “Yeah?”
“Yes.” She kisses his shoulder. “You look…luminous.”
That earns a snort, amused and a little flustered. “Don’t start.”
Mel grins, entirely unrepentant. “You should get used to compliments. You look wonderful.”
“And it will only become more obvious,” Viktor adds. “Perhaps we should make arrangements before Council meetings become too…curious.”
Jayce groans, dragging his hands down his face. He’s not ready to face all the questions this pregnancy will bring.
“There’s time.” Mel circles around to his front, adjusting the collar of Jayce’s shirt while Viktor helps him slide his arms into the sleeves. “We’ll think of something. The three of us.”
Their eyes meet, as Jayce looks between his partners. Mel’s eyes, calm and steady, and Viktor’s eyes, intelligent and precise. They’re both there for him. For this child that, despite being entirely unplanned, is no less loved or desired.
Jayce lets out a breath. Smiles. Lets himself smile and feel the flicker of excited anticipation under the nervousness.
Outside, Piltover begins to wake. Bells chime the hour and people begin to fill the streets as routines commence anew.
Inside, they move as one, fastening buttons and choosing garments. The day is beginning and so is something else.
Something small and theirs.