Work Text:
The lamps of Piltover's streets would, on a normal night, would be a comforting aesthetic but not tonight. Not quite deep shadows for anyone to hide behind, as there's a gradient of shade through the clean streets and well-kept lawns. Thin trees planted every few feet or so. The buildings of the academy in the distance, for once not filling him with nostalgia, and that notion alone makes Jayce feel a little sick.
What makes that feeling even greater is why he's out here with a stranger. The only upside is that there is no one here but them and Caitlyn has vetted her. And he trusts Caitlyn so he can trust this stranger. At least far enough to know that she's not going to try and kill or rob him.
Her reddish-pink hair does catch under the lamp lights, but what could get them caught is her jittery aggression. Jayce is going to regret telling her to calm down or doing anything really-
“We doing this or what?” She asked.
“You're going to have to relax-” she's glaring at him now and he holds up his hands, “This a park with a curfew. Sure there are enforcers, but they'll just tell people to go home. As long as we look like we're just forgetting about the hour, we'll be fine. And we can't do that if you look like you want to punch to universe.” Jayce said.
She snorts, a slight smirk pulls at her lips, and he counts that as a minor victory. Rolling her eyes, she straightens her posture and that makes her face go more neutral. It's not quite relaxed but Jayce is happy to settle for indifference. It's actually beginning to help him relax. It must show in his posture because her smirk widens.
“Can we go now?” She asked.
“Yes.” He said.
Together they walked down the cobblestone path, sticking to the route Caitlyn gave them. Seeing this stranger's eyes taking in the sights is making him look through his home with fresh eyes. Not quite awe, there's too much irritation-disgust- in there for that to be the case. He wants to be defensive on behalf of his home but even he knows-now-just how in poor taste that would be. Her fists are clenching hard enough to make her knuckles go white. Her eyes end up darting around the further along the path they go. If he compares her to a rabbit, it will stay in his mind forever. Jayce has to take a chance on talking, weighing the cost benefit of getting her to relax versus getting punched in the face.
Clearing his throat, “So...”
“So?”
“So...Vi right?” At her nod, he continued, “How did you meet Caitlyn?” He asked.
“Seriously?” Vi asked, “Prison.” She said, lifting her chin.
“Ah. Right. That's Caitlyn, she can get along with anyone.” Jayce said.
This time VI's snort is one of agreement. Before he can ask her another question, her expression shutters again, and she sucks in a breath.
“Ok, my turn. What do you want?” She asked.
“Hm? What do you mean?” He asked.
Vi gave a little growl and Jayce suppresses a shiver. He hopes that she isn't always this grumpy. His confusion doesn't abate and she sighs.
“I mean, why are you doing this? I get why Cup-” She clears her throat, “Caitlyn wants to do this. Stop corruption, find bad guys, justice prevails that sort of thing. But you,” She gestures to him, “Golden Boy, what do you get out of this?” Vi asked.
“I want justice too and Caitlyn's the expert. And. And...I need to help my par- my...a person I care about,” and just in case she needs to hear it, “And if she trusts you, then I do.” Jayce said.
Vi eyes him. “Must be some friend.” She said.
“...The best.” Jayce said.
Vi blinks back at him, a slight shake to her head. “Ok weirdo,” She squints at him, “Chances are we're gonna have to fight someone. Think you can handle that?” She asked.
Jayce nodded. “I've got some self defense training. Hope it won't come to that.” He said.
“Listen, you can't just hope things just work out. That's not something that happens in the Underground.” She said.
“I understand-”
“No you don't.” Vi said.
Jayce couldn't help but bristle a little. He has some awareness of this, he's not a complete novice, but he has to swallow this down because they have a job to do. But this particular brand of prickliness is reminding him of Viktor and that's the last thing he needs to be thinking about right now. This doesn't escape Vi's notice and her scowl deepens.
“What's the matter, Piltie? Can't handle a little rough-”
Jayce shakes his head, “It's not that. I just,” he sighs, “I know it's bad, that's why Caitlyn and I are trying to change things. I get that people won't trust us at first. I just don't want to fight unless we absolutely have to. I-I just don't see how fighting people the second we-I-get down there is going to gain anyone's trust.” He said.
“No one needs you're help, we can do this on our own.” Vi said.
“Clearly you do, otherwise you wouldn't be here, working with Pilties like me and Caitlyn.” Jayce said.
“Ok.” Vi said.
Her tone is not quite easing up, but there's a tease-a surprise-like she hadn't expected him to bite back. Jayce feels a kind of pleasure at that. He can at least verbally spar with her and something in him relaxes at the fact that he has yet to piss her off.
“Besides,” He said, “I'm really starting to see...” he trails off, he's admitting to something that he hasn't fully said to anyone else before, “that no one can really do anything big by themselves.” He said.
“Yeah?” she asked.
This time it's curiosity and not a challenge. He feels a little bolstered by that.
“Yeah. Even if you want to do some things by yourself. And sometimes you just...get stuck doing things by yourself.” He said.
Vi is frowning and now he knows he's said too much. But he can't take it back now. She sighs as if she's about to regret everything.
“Soooo, you're getting stuck doing something you hate by yourself, and, and what you want more than Caitlyn to help?” She asked.
“Yes!” He said.
They both blink at the vehemence of it and before embarrassment can fully set in, he just decides to tell her a few things.
“The councilors, ok there's few -two-who are decent but, but the rest are assholes.” He said.
Vi's eyes widened before she bursts out laughing and he's pretty sure it's at him but her eyes have a mischievous gleam. Which encourages him to go on a little mini rant about just how useless they can be and any snippets of guilt about being rude towards people who he should have some loyalty towards, even in a general sense, but then he remembers the last meeting and then he's frustrated all over again. Plus, Vi is such an active listener, gasping and scowling in all the right places. And when she calls Bolbok a 'rust bucket in need of an oil change', he lasts harder than he has any right to.
And something brings up short because he hasn't laughed that hard in a long time over such a small thing. It made him wish there was another person next to him. Vi's great. He's got a feeling that they could really become good friends. It just makes him realize how much he misses-
Vi doesn't miss anything, she frowns at him again, and he'd like to think there's some measure of concern in there.
“What is it?” She asked.
“O-oh I just realized...how much I needed that.” Jayce said, voice wavering despite himself, “I...I just wish. I don't know.” He said.
“That you had more people in your corner.” She said.
He nods and feels compelled to add, “I do. Did. Do...maybe?” And the uncertainty of it makes his voice waver harder and then it's all pouring out of him, “There's someone. He showed up at a...a rough part of my life and he's been there ever since. Now I can't imagine...no. No, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him. We've had each other's backs and he gets me like no one else. Sometimes Caitlyn even has trouble and she's amazing. But Viktor. Viktor is different. Sometimes, it's like he knows me before I do. Does that make sense?” He asked.
Vi nods, subdued. He can't stop.
“But...but ever since I've been put on the council...it's different. He's snappish, like he doesn't have any time for me. Like he doesn't want to spend time with me. And I know it's been rough, for both of us. He...he has a lot on his mind. So do I. It'd be nice to spend more time with him again, my new responsibilities mean I can't do a lot of the things I-we-used to do, and I think he's mad about it? No. No, I know he is, but...but it's like he resents it when I'm in the lab with him now. A-and every time I try to tell him that, that I don't know...I don't know what to do. He's my partner and I don't know. Know what to do.” He said.
His vision is blurring and he hates it.
Vi clears her throat and he ducks his head for a second. He's so grateful that she doesn't mention it that he's embarrassed for himself. She gives him a light punch on his shoulder.
“Well, now you've got something to do. Go to the underground and save the day.” She said.
He laughs, a wet sound, and something in his chest loosens a little. They continue on the path. The lights illuminate Vi, her patchy jacket, grimy boots, and the bruise on her cheek. Still nervous but her expression is set and Jayce can feel admiration bubble up. She's still scanning the park and so far they haven't met anyone else. They've kept their voices quiet all the same but there is a slight click from their shoes on the cobblestones.
"Ok, sounds like your boyfriend doesn't appreciate you." She said.
Jayce chokes on air, heat filling his face as he sputters, "H-he's not-what?"
Vi raises her eyebrow. "You called him your partner. Viktor right?"
He nods, then realizes that that just makes it look like he's agreeing with her initial assessment. He has to clarify the statement and hates it, a tightness in his chest that he can't fully explain and that just makes it worse.
"W-we're not like that." He said, "He's my. My lab partner-"
Her grin is positively rakish, "Oh is that what they call it up here?" She asked.
His face is on fire right now. Sure people raised a few eyebrows at his terms before but no one really made comments on it. Now that someone has gotten the wrong idea, he has no idea what to do with it. Because Viktor is his partner, any other term felt superfluous, impersonal, and just, well, silly. A part of his mind is shuttering and he can't quite get at those fleeting thoughts, like they're running away from him. It's frustrating and confusing. Why would his own mind refuse to clarify itself to him? Especially when his chest is getting so tight over this. The stakes are high enough.
"Ok, well whatever he is to you, have you told him how you?" She asked.
Jayce's whole body goes cold, his brain is fuzzy, and all he can do is shake his head. Vi exhales, pauses for a moment and he observes, in a kind of faraway way, that she's choosing her words. It's absurd just how much he appreciates that and he has a feeling that she wouldn't want him to bring that up.
"Well…maybe you should. This guy is clearly important to you. I, uh, might not be the most touchy feely, but…but I hear communication is important," She gives a little laugh, "While you still can." She said.
Jayce shivers.
"W-what about you?" He clears his throat, "What exactly are your intentions with Caitlyn?" He asked.
Vi's red faced sputtering is just the distraction that he needs. "W-what? No, hang on, this isn't about me. This is none of your business-" She said.
"Sure it is. I've known her since she was about this high," He gestures to about roughly his waist, "She's like my sister. So what are your intentions?" He asked.
"Oh. Oh shit." Vi cleared her throat. "I promise I won't do anything to hurt her." Vi said.
Jayce searches her face. It's the most serious he's seen her look so far. It's not that he can't see through her not quite poker face, but there's a tension to her and he's pretty sure its nerves.
"Ok." He said.
Vi's shoulders slump and her fists unclench. Jayce nods to himself.
"So…have you taken her on a date yet?" He asked.
Vi's blush goes to the tips of her ears and she suddenly looks much younger. Though there's something in her eyes…
"I can't." She said.
"What do you mean?" Jayce asked.
Frustration clouds over her features and Jayce's stomach swoops like he missed a step in a flight of stairs. They've left the park and they stand at the edge of Piltover's city limits, the lifts that ferry people up and down are closed for the night, the cables still and silent. The burrowing maze of the Undercity is just a few feet from. Jayce's vision swims with vertigo and if he leans forward, he'll be one leap away to somewhere else.
"She's from Piltover and I'm…I'm not. That's not how this works. You should know that." Vi said.
Jayce bristles and he has to keep his voice even. "You don't know that. You can't decide that. Caitlyn deserves a say," His head and chest buzz like hornets are swarming inside him, "It doesn't have to be like that."
Vi looks like she's coming back around to punching him, but her lip is quivering, and Jayce doesn't think he's much better off. Her voice is softer than he's heard it all night.
"But it is." She said.
"It shouldn't be." Jayce said.
"Come on, let's get this over with." Vi said.
Together they walk down into the darkness of the Undercity.
Later they come up to the surface, with little to no fighting, and that heady success is counter balancing the oncoming adrenaline crash. The vial of shimmer weighs down Jayce's pocket. He'll debate about giving it to Viktor later. Right now, he just needs a shower and a nap. Vi grabs his shoulder, yanking him back and her turns to her, but before he can ask-
“What the fuck you think you're doing? Taking shimmer, what gonna sell that shit to the highest bidder?!”
He goes cold. “What?! No! This is for-” Jayce doesn't know how to continue.
“No. Finish the fucking sentence.” Vi said.
“He's dying.” Jayce said, his whole face is hot and getting wet, “It's his lungs, he's. He's has this- he can't help it.” He said.
Vi's eyes widen, she gapes at him, so many emotions flying past her face, too fast to decipher or control. He's shaking. This situation is so out of control so fast. Vi's face settles into something he still lacks the ability to read.
“Your partner.” She said.
“It'll buy him time. Please.” He said.
They stare at each other. It's not quite dawn, the night is fading into a blue that's beginning to expose the plains in VI's face and for certain his. In a few minutes pinks and oranges will return the distinguishing lines of clarity. Along with the citizens of Piltover, ready to go about their day. He tries to wipe his eyes, hands stupid and smacking into his face. If he can't see her, she can't undo him. It takes him far too long-or too fast? To meet her gaze again.
“He's from the Undercity.” She said.
Jayce nods.
“Shit.” She said.
Vi, turning on her heel, strode off back into the Undercity without a word. Jayce stood blinking before he shoot himself, turning to walk in the opposite direction.