Chapter Text
Jayce hated omegas.
Okay. Hate was perhaps too strong a word. A deep irritation laced with resentment and disrespect would be more appropriate.
Jayce considered it one of Janna's greatest blessings that he never had to be around any of those emotional creatures, secreting sickeningly sweet hormones, who would look at him with gooey eyes just because he happened to be an alpha with broad shoulders.
The very thought sent shivers down his spine.
Jayce was a proponent of partnership.
True partnership.
One in which two people made decisions together, argued, won and lost in turns, not subjugated each other's lives simply because nature deemed it practical.
For this very reason, he had been carrying on an affair with Mel Medarda for months.
She was an alpha.
She was as ambitious as he was.
She could be irritating, manipulating people with the skill of a professional illusionist, and could change half the Council's mind with a single glance, but at least he could talk to her like an equal.
A few minutes earlier, she'd been sprawled beneath him on her office desk, laughing softly at his disheveled hair, and now she sat right next to him at the large table, looking so elegant like she'd been preoccupied with politics all morning.
Jayce sometimes wondered if she could even sweat.
Apparently not.
He, on the other hand, still felt like his shirt collar was a little too tight.
He shouldn't even be here. Mel had simply asked him to keep her company before the meeting began. Then their conversation dragged on, the guards closed the council chamber doors, and someone decided that since he was already sitting next to Councilor Medarda, he might as well stay.
So he had accidentally witnessed the most absurd discussion he'd heard since a certain professor tried to prove that hex-crystals had feelings.
The current discussion was about whether omegas were the same as alphas and betas. Jayce wondered if, following this line of reasoning, the council would begin debating whether fire caused frostbite.
You see, omegas were, to put it bluntly, mentally underdeveloped compared to alphas and betas.
Their brains, damaged from conception, were geared towards reproduction, and their underdeveloped minds prevented them from studying or even simply being around alphas.
Their thoughts turned to mush when an alpha appeared next to them, and all they could think about was the alpha's body, his muscles, his strength, his cock, or his cum. The omegas' bodies reacted immediately releasing an unbearably sticky odor, then they would rub against the alphas, then lie back and wait for the junction.
Or, when they weren't consumed by arousal, they only thought about satisfying and pleasing the alphas.
To Jayce, it was disgusting. Animalistic. Mindless. He was no stranger to sex, of course, but he would never stoop to have sex with a hormonally impaired omega who saw him as merely a potential father to her or his children and couldn't even react to pain.
For God's sake, those poor creatures didn't even recognize when they were being raped. They were like animals who couldn't be civilized because their very nature wouldn't allow it.
They were weak, lost, like eternally small children who needed to be protected to prevent them from harming themselves.
That's why Jayce understood perfectly well why omegas were segregated from alphas and betas in Pilltover, why they had separate schools, separate hospitals, or couldn't work at all, except in light, usually worthless jobs for omegas themselves.
And that's why Jayce completely failed to understand why the Undercity is unable, or even unwilling, to protect their omegas, instead allowing them to parade among the alphas, exposing them to constant assault.
"I do not agree with what you are saying."
The calm voice of the Zaunite cripple cut through the din of the hall like a blade.
Heimerdinger's assistant sat with his legs crossed, his slender hand resting on the handle of his cane with such elegance, as if he were attending afternoon tea rather than a political quarrel.
What was his name?
Vincent?
Vilhelm?
Jayce could never remember.
He only knew that he worked for a professor at the university and he is a beta.
"That's because you still don't understand the threat," Cassandra Kiramman said.
"We can't allow an omega to rule our neighboring city," Hoskel growled, slamming his fist on the table.
"That's a dangerous precedent."
"He is a democratically elected leader," the assistant replied calmly.
Shoola snorted with contempt.
"Democracy doesn't change biology."
"And murdering political opponents doesn't make anyone a legitimate ruler," Cassandra added.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"A moment ago, you claimed Silco was a slave to his own hormones, capable of thinking only of copulation. Now you are presenting him as a cunning strategist capable of long-term planning. I must admit, I am having trouble following your argument."
A few people clenched their jaws.
Jayce wanted to snort. Zaunites had this uncanny ability to say the silliest things with the air of someone who had just discovered a new law of physics.
Mel, the only one unmoved, spoke softly.
"Viktor."
So it was Viktor.
Good to know.
"We're not asking you to betray your own city. We only want information that will allow us to understand the situation."
His golden eyes turned to her.
"Not so, Councilor Medarda. You are trying to find scientific justification for overthrowing a legally elected leader simply because he was born with a uterus."
"He's an omega!" Hoskel exploded. "The only thing he can rule over is his own ass for breeding!"
"My dear friends, shouts and violent demonstrations are no substitute for logical arguments," Heimerdinger called, trying to calm the crowd. "I have a suggestion. Viktor, perhaps you should first justify your position. Maybe we're wrong..."
The hall erupted with initial cries and gasps of protest from everyone gathered.
"...But to know that, we need to know the rationale, my dear boy."
His Assistant sighed and leaned back against the chair he was sitting in. He folded his arms across his chest, his expression suggesting he was trying to form his thoughts carefully before speaking.
"I believe..." he began quietly, but confidently. "...that you are wrong about omegas in every respect. I understand that your culture has always viewed omegas as..." He swallowed hard. "...as uteruses for breeding. But I think you should consider that perhaps... you yourselves have caused omegas to be... uneducated... and trained to want only one thing... and that, perhaps, it's... ahem... your f-fault..."
The man looked like he was about to throw up. His hands were shaking, even though he tried to hide it, and his skin had turned even paler.
No wonder, since the councilors looked as if he'd just spat on them, and Jayce suspected they were only silent because they were so shocked they didn't know what to say to such a huge insult.
The men cleared his throat and continued his quiet speech.
"Omegas are... normal. Like... like any of you. They do not go crazy with hormones, they... they do not drool over every alpha, quite the opposite."
He laughed nervously.
"Omegas are, contrary to appearances, more discerning than alphas. They do not show any... sexual interest... in any alpha or beta until their minds actually deem them worthy of starting a family with them. They need to know they partner treats them well, that he's healthy, that he can keep them safe, that he won't hurt them. Without that... omegas are no different from betas."
His accented voice softened, and he smiled faintly to himself, in such a warm way that Jayce felt an unpleasant, cold shiver run down his spine.
"Even during heat, omegas are not mindless, nor do they attack every Alpha. They are... adorable. I think so. They start cleaning their house and gathering extra things for the nest. And when... when they are in love with someone, they just try to make them happy. If they succeed... if their chosen one accepts them, omegas are very affectionate. They can even calm alphas with their pheromones and purring. I think that is lovely."
The zaunite beta spoke slowly, carefully choosing his words, and his signs of nervousness and stress had vanished.
But Jayce didn't share his behavior. He was angry, increasingly furious, and his anger seemed to boil and boil in his veins.
Because, listening to the words of this thin, pale man, Jayce imagined him with an omega who was in love with him. A warm home with a nest and an omega waiting for him. The sweet cooing a man heard every time he touched his omega. It was like watching his omega in heat bustle around the house, nervously cleaning, preparing sweet pastries, warm tea, massages, and everything else that could make him happy.
Jayce considered this utter nonsense. Zaunite propaganda, instilled in every resident of the undercity, which is why they have never been able to adapt to Pilltover and live in harmony with it.
Treating omegas the same as alphas and betas was a mistake. It was like considering animals full citizens. Like allowing dogs to make decisions on a par with humans. Like forcing Jayce's mother to work alongside alphas and obey her in everything.
Jayce couldn't stop thinking about his weak mother now. He remembered perfectly how his father had treated her, and how she had never been able to oppose him. When he forced her to do everything, if not with force, then with his pheromones.
How she couldn't even stand up for Jayce when his father was tossing him around and giving him bruises.
Jayce's mother had always been weak and defenseless, precisely because she was an omega. She couldn't make rational and logical decisions that weren't based on her feelings. She always looked through her heart, not her mind.
She had the audacity to tell the Council that Jayce was mentally unstable, just to protect him from punishment after the explosion in his dorm room.
Jayce could never forgive her for that. And he couldn't understand how anyone could humiliate their own son to save him.
He snorted, glaring at the Zaunite man. This Valentino would surely get along with his mother. Jayce could already picture the two of them sitting over a cup of tea, discussing how omegas were important in society and how they were the same as alphas.
Salo rested his chin on his hand and looked at crippled men with soft eyes. "What you said is so amazing that you actually convinced everyone here that omegas are incredibly, wonderfully, undeniably pathetic."
The room erupted in uproar once again as the rest of the councillors began speaking and arguing their points again.
Heimerdinger cleared his throat quietly. “Enough.”
A silence fell in the room, indicating that Heimerdinger, after all, commanded the greatest respect and obedience due to his age.
The professor glanced at the councilors.
From Hoskel, who still looked as if he were dreaming of personally throwing Silco from Zaun’s highest chimney.
From Shoola, whose pursed lips indicated that she had been composing a speech about the fall of civilization in her head for a good five minutes.
From Cassandra, Mel, Salo.
Finally, he fixed his gaze on his assistant.
“We won’t achieve anything if we continue to insult each other. Facts remain facts, regardless of our emotions.”
“The facts are that Zaun is a threat.” Salo folded his arms.
“The facts are that we’ve been discussing the same thing for hours, and neither of us has presented a single shred of evidence. Only our beliefs.”
“The evidence is history,” Cassandra grumbled.
“History very often turns out to be a collection of mistakes repeated long enough to be called tradition.”
Jayce felt a familiar twinge of unease.
He knew that smile.
The professor smiled that way he always came up with another great idea that would make life difficult for everyone around him.
Worse still, his gaze now wandered to Jayce, and Jayce was sure he was already sweating.
“I propose a scientific proof.”
Hoskel frowned.
“What proof?”
“Comprehensive.”
The little yordle spoke calmly, but each sentence made Jayce want to get up and leave more and more.
"A comparative study of the societies of Piltover and Zaun. Analysis of omega biology, the influence of upbringing, education, environment, and pheromones. Review of medical records. Historical analysis. Cognitive testing. Observations of behavior under controlled conditions. Interviews. Statistical data."
The professor clasped his hands behind his back.
"Piltover has been basing its beliefs on tradition for years. Zaun bases its on its own experiences. Neither side is willing to budge. Honest research is the only solution."
"And who would conduct this research?" Mel asked slowly and skeptically.
Heimerdinger turned to his assistant.
"Viktor has knowledge of Zaun's workings."
Then he looked at Jayce.
"And Jayce has access to the Academy's laboratories and resources that Zaun doesn't."
For a brief moment, silence reigned in the room.
So profound that only the distant chiming of a mechanical clock could be heard.
Jayce laughed first. Then he looked at Mel, expecting her to burst out laughing soon.
She didn't laugh.
"Professor..." Jayce spoke slowly. "I shouldn't even be here."
He gestured toward the council table.
"I was with Councilor Mel before the meeting. I'm here entirely by accident. I'm not a councilor. I'm not a party to this dispute. I shouldn't even be considered."
"Quite the opposite."
Heimerdinger smiled gently.
"You're one of Piltover's most distinguished young scientists. And more importantly, you haven't researched omegas before. You're not affiliated with any school or institution that could influence your conclusions."
Jayce let out something between an amused snort and a groan of despair. He cleared his throat to steady himself.
"No."
The professor tilted his head.
"No?"
"I won’t work with a man who tries to prove that all of Piltover has been living in error for generations."
"And I," Viktor said quietly, "will not work with someone who considers half my city a pack of animals."
Their gazes met across the table.
Hazel.
Golden.
Jayce saw only a gaunt figure and overly sharp cheekbones.
Viktor saw a well-dressed Piltoverian whose arrogance almost rivaled his height.
They both came to the exact same conclusion. They wanted absolutely nothing to do with each other.
"Wonderful." Heimerdinger clapped his hands together with surprising enthusiasm. "That means you'll both be forced to see beyond your own prejudices."
"Professor..."
"The decision has already been made."
Salo raised an eyebrow.
"By whom?"
The old yordle smiled innocently.
"By me."
Several councilors began to protest simultaneously.
Hoskel almost jumped to his feet.
Shoola opened his mouth, but words seemed lost.
Cassandra looked as if she'd just swallowed a lemon.
Heimerdinger, however, paid no attention to anyone.
"Starting tomorrow, you will begin a joint research project under the auspices of the Academy. You will be granted full access to the laboratories and archives. The results will be presented to the Council in three months."
Jayce felt his jaw muscles tense to the breaking point.
"That's absurd."
"Perhaps."
"I refuse."
"You can't."
"Why?"
The professor looked at him with genuine surprise.
"Because you yourself have repeatedly stated that a scientist should follow the evidence, even if it leads to inconvenient conclusions."
Jayce felt he had just been insulted in an exceptionally polite manner.
Viktor spoke calmly: "I appreciate your initiative, Professor, but I am not interested."
"You see? Even he's not interested either," Jayce snapped, immediately pointing at the man and hoping the professor would understand that his current idea was so absurd that even his assistant, whose job it was to literally follow his orders, didn't support it.
Heimerdinger, however, looked genuinely pleased.
It was unsettling.
"Since you're both so absolutely certain of yourselves, allow me to present the consequences."
The professor turned first to his assistant.
"Suppose the research confirms Piltover's position."
Obvious snorts echoed through the councilors.
"Suppose you demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that omegas are indeed incapable of independent rule. That their biology prevents them from making rational decisions and leaves them susceptible to the influence of instinct."
Hoskel straightened in his chair.
Shoola nodded in satisfaction.
Heimerdinger continued.
"In that case, Silco's choice will no longer be a purely political decision."
The room fell silent.
"The Piltover Council will have scientific justification to question his legitimacy as leader."
Jayce felt a logical sequence begin to form in his mind.
It would no longer be an imposition of will.
It would no longer be aggression.
It would be an intervention based on facts.
A duty.
If a leader is truly unfit for office, society should be protected from him. Just as a child shouldn't be allowed to drive a train.
The professor now turned to Jayce.
"But if Viktor is right..."
The words hung heavy in the air.
"...and it turns out that the differences between omegas and alphas are primarily due to upbringing, education, and social conditions...then Piltover's entire omega policy will be proven to be based on flawed assumptions."
Mel glanced up.
Cassandra frowned.
Salo stopped smiling.
"Segregation. Restrictions. Education bans. Work bans. All of this will require immediate review."
The professor paused briefly.
"And no one will be able to use tradition as an excuse anymore."
Jayce looked at Zaunite.
The man sat still. Only his fingers tightened on the wooden handle of his staff.
He didn't look afraid. He looked like a man who had just been given a chance he never dared to dream of.
Heimerdinger looked at them both.
"The truth will end this argument once and for all."
Jayce was absolutely convinced he would win.
Not because he trusted the Council.
Not because he trusted tradition.
He simply trusted his own judgment.
He had seen his mother.
He had seen other omegas.
He had seen a lifetime of evidence confirming his views.
There was no way they could all be wrong.
Across the table, Viktor lifted his head.
The faintest hint of a smile appeared on his face. As if he were thinking the same thing.
"I agree," he said quietly.
Jayce snorted.
Of course.
Zaunites were always surprisingly confident, even when they were on the brink of collapse.
"Okay," Jayce said, amused.
Mel looked at him sideways.
"Really?"
“Of course.”
Jayce crossed his arms.
“If I have the opportunity to once and for all silence anyone who tries to convince the world that biology doesn’t exist, it would be rude to refuse.”
Heimerdinger clapped his hands with obvious satisfaction.
“Excellent. Then you start work tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Jayce repeated.
“Yes.”
“Together?”
“Naturally.”
“In the same lab?”
“Evidently.”
Jayce closed his eyes.
Just an hour earlier, his biggest concern had been whether he would manage to sneak out of Mel’s office before the meeting started.
Now he would spend the next few months locked away with a stubborn Zaunite beta whose name he kept getting confused, conducting research on a subject he considered as obvious as water being wet.
This was shaping up to be the worst project of his life.