Chapter Text
Two young men, newly renowned “scientists” at their university, walked proudly through empty corridors after their graduation.
Jayce, with a young, aspirational look caught in his eyes, turned to look at his friend, Viktor, who though had bags under his eyes and a pale look seemed much happier than his days before. He quickly turned his prideful smirk into a grin, letting out a small giggle before speaking, “Would you.. maybe.. want to.. continue our work together?”
Viktor stared at him, before leaning back on his left leg and lightly tapping Jayce with his cane. “And what do you suppose we would do?” Though what seemed like a negative and dismissive question, it was not perceived in that way by Jayce, quickly shooting back with, “Air filtration devices for Zaun.” “Oh really, Jayce? And who is funding this?” “Mel can!” “She won’t.” “She will!” This continued in an effort from each of them to convince the other until they both simply agreed to call the astounding woman that is Mel Medarda for her opinion on the matter.
The two snuck toward an old supply closet they’d renovated into a makeshift lab for prohibited experiments, both reaching for the keys they had in the pockets, smiling at each other when their hands collided as they reached for the door. “I got it.” Jayce spoke clearly yet with an excited tone at the end that made him sound like mischievous toddler. “Oh no, I insist!” Viktor matched his attitude, leaning against him dramatically, slightly pushing him out of the way.
After a whole seemingly endless minute of the two going back and forth, Viktor finally was able to shove the key into the doorknob, twisting it quickly and rolling his eyes as Jayce said, “Oh really?”, in a sarcastically seductive voice. “Shut up..!” Viktor responded, lightly kicking the back of Jayce’s legs to get him to move into the cramped room, quickly following in pursuit.
‘Sweet Brown Shuga, That’s what I call this female’ Jayce’s thoughts followed the echoing music of his phone’s ringtone for Mel, waiting for her to pick up, Viktor staring at him with a disappointed yet amused look, “Weirdo-“ “What could you possibly want at this hour.” Mel spoke quickly, sounding unusually annoyed, Jayce ignoring this. “Can you please, please, please, pay for me and Vik’s hypothetical nonexistent experimental air filtration device?” “Huh…” Viktor’s voice cut into the silence of Mel’s somewhat answer, “He wants funding.” Jayce glared at him, gasping theatrically, “We want funding.” A sigh followed their words, “Fine.”