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I don’t think I can do this… I can’t do this…
The words pounded through Jayce’s mind as he approached Viktor’s dome– that strange, shell-like structure. His leg felt like it could give out at any moment, at any wrong step. He gripped his hammer as he made his way through the entrance. It felt heavier than usual, as if it had doubled in size. His body ached from the injuries he'd sustained, but he forced himself to push through.
And there he was. Viktor. Floating above ground, eyes closed, his body connected to various glowing strings. Jayce didn’t bother to see where they led. His eyes were fixated on Viktor. He looked… different. So very different. Yet still his Viktor, still his partner. Viktor still had the blanket Jayce had given him before he left, and wore it around himself like a toga. It rested on his arms, exposing his purple metallic chest. His hair was much longer now, down to his shoulders. And most of all, he looked healthy. His cheeks were full again, the color in his face returned, his eye bags way less prominent.
And he had to hurt him. No, not hurt, kill him. He had to kill Viktor. Kill his partner. The one person who ever truly believed in him. Before he could think, his hammer was aimed at Viktor, charging with a powerful blue light. Viktor's eyes opened, meeting Jayce's with that familiar soft, colorful gaze. They soon widened– shock, fear, and hurt flickering through them.
“Jayce…” Viktor said, his voice low and smooth. Calm, but Jayce could see he wasn’t.
Jayce felt himself fold like a beach chair at the sound of his name on Viktor’s lips. His hammer lowered slightly, though still aimed and powering up.
Viktor lowered to the floor and slowly approached Jayce, his metallic feet tapping against the floor.
“I only wish to talk…” He whispered, an attempt to soothe Jayce.
“S-Stay back…” Jayce stepped back, though it took all of him not to rush into Viktor’s arms and never let go.
I have to do this…
Do I have to do this?
“I won’t fail…”
I really don’t want to do this…
It’s the only way!
Is it?
“I swear it.”
I can’t do this…
I’m sorry to break another promise, Viktor…
Do it.
The voices tugged and screamed in his mind. He tried to shake them away.
Suddenly, Viktor was in front of him. Jayce opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out, like something was caught in his throat. Viktor’s hand reached out and grabbed the hammer, throwing it across the room with a loud crash. A beam of light crashed through the wall, leaving a large hole. A few people of the commune passing by paused to take a look, but thankfully no one was hurt or frightened. Viktor gripped Jayce’s wrist, his hand cold against his skin. Great. He failed the Mage. He failed to keep his promise to Viktor. Again.
Jayce stuttered, eyes wide. He couldn’t tell what emotion Viktor was showing. Was he going to kill Jayce? “Viktor, I-”
Viktor silenced him gently. “Do not be afraid, Jayce. I do not wish to harm you, but I could not allow you to take my life like that. My life is connected to these people. If I die, so do they.”
Jayce swallowed hard. So Viktor didn’t want to kill him? Good. That was good. Despite the relief, his breathing became shaky and quick. He failed, but he was with Viktor. It would be okay, right?
God, he had missed Viktor so damn much. He missed his soft chuckles, his rants, his muttering. Hell, he even missed the way he’d whack Jayce with his cane when he’d get mad. And those eyes, his beautiful eyes that always gave Jayce a flutter he never understood. But now he did. It’s always Viktor. Always has been, always will be.
His hands instinctively gripped Viktor’s arms. Cold, metallic, but still Viktor. No matter how molded or changed Viktor could be, he would always be Viktor. His Viktor.
He was so wrapped in his thoughts he didn’t notice he was crying until a sob slipped out, and the tears burned his eyes. Jayce couldn’t stand it any longer, and pulled Viktor into a tight hug. Desperate, tight, warm, full of longing and regret. Months of being alone without Viktor poured out of him in a mess of hiccups and sobs.
Viktor let out a small gasp of surprise, but he returned the embrace. He stroked Jayce’s back soothingly.
“You’ve changed so much, my dear friend…” He said quietly, barely above a whisper. “What happened to you?”
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… I promised to destroy the Hexcore, and I-... I keep breaking promises. I’m so fucking sorry, Viktor. I’m sorry.”
He repeated his words like a mantra, clinging desperately to Viktor. He wanted to stay there forever, in his arms, to hold him until the universe collapsed, and even then it wouldn’t be enough.
Viktor lowered his head to Jayce’s ear, his voice like a soothing balm. “May I see everything…?”
Jayce wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but he nodded. He wanted Viktor to see everything, especially what the Mage told him…
Viktor returned the nod, his fingers reaching to touch his forehead. Jayce’s mind replayed everything. His fall, his struggle, his climb, ...and the Mage. The man who saved Jayce in that snowstorm. The one who brought him here. Viktor. His words replayed…
“I thought I could bring an end to the world’s suffering. But when every equation was solved, all that remained… were fields of dreamless solitude. There is no prize to perfection, only an end to pursuit. In all timelines, in all possibilities, only you… can show me this…”
Only you…
Jayce looked up at his Viktor. His eyes were wide, tears in them. His eyes were their normal golden color once more, and Jayce swears he can get lost in them.
Viktor looked down at him, his own breath uneven now. They hugged each other at the same time, finding comfort in each other's embrace.
“It’s always going to be us, okay? We do things together. I’m here, I won’t let go.” Jayce said through his tears. His voice was thick and watery, but he couldn’t care less.
“Stay, Jayce…” Viktor whispered. The sound was so vulnerable, it made Jayce’s heart twist. “I want you to stay.”
Jayce nodded. “I’ll stay, V.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” And I won’t break it this time, I swear it…
There was no doubt in Jayce's mind now– he was completely, hopelessly in love with Viktor. And gauging from the way Viktor’s eyes met his, he felt the same. He hoped. Oh, he hoped so much.
This theory had to be tested. His hand reached up, fingers brushing along Viktor's jaw before cupping his cheek. His thumb slid across the skin — or was it metal? A thin, cool layer textured Viktor's jawline. His hand was large on Viktor’s face, he could completely cover him if he wished to. He wondered if his hands could perfectly hold his waist… He marveled at it only for a moment before his gaze was dragged to Viktor’s lips.
Much to Jayce’s joy, Viktor leaned into him, his own hand sliding to hold the side of Jayce’s face as well. Their breaths hitched as they gazed at each other.
“Please tell me I’m reading this right…” Jayce breathed out, earning a light chuckle from Viktor. My god, he loved that sound more than anything.
“If you’re planning on kissing me, then yes.” He teased with a small pull, bringing them closer.
Jayce lit up. Taking that as permission, he closed the distance and pressed his lips to Viktor’s and, wow.
Jayce couldn’t put it into words even if he tried. Beautiful. Yes, that, but so much more than beautiful. Viktor was so much more than beautiful. The kiss was so slow, so careful, as if Jayce were afraid to break him. He tentatively deepened the kiss with a slight tilt of his head. Viktor’s response was positive as he leaned into Jayce. The curl of Viktor’s smile felt amazing on Jayce’s skin. He couldn’t help but pull him closer until they were pressed tightly together. Jayce’s hand tangled in Viktor’s long graceful hair, getting a bit lost in the moment.
The kiss lingered- deep and slow. Jayce and Viktor poured every ounce of their love into the kiss, all of these 7 years of silent yearning coming out with nothing to hold it back. It was perfect, everything was perfect. For once in so so long, Jayce was content.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t kiss forever, and broke apart. Jayce didn’t let go of him, though, but neither did Viktor. Jayce leaned in once more to press their foreheads together, their soft breaths mingling together. Jayce wondered if Viktor even needed to breathe. How did any of this work? None of it made sense, but he was willing to stick through it for him. Viktor’s voice broke the silence, his voice light and teasing, yet filled with warmth.
“I’ve waited 7 years for that…”
Jayce’s chuckle vibrated through them both, a warm sound. It felt good to laugh. It had been a long time since he last did.
“So have I, V… Now… How would you rate it?”
Viktor snorted. “I’m rating you now?”
“Please?”
“Hm. 9.”
He scoffed and nudged him. “9?! Viktor, come on! It’s not like you can compare it to anything.”
His mind shifted momentarily to a time in the lab when Viktor had mentioned never kissing anyone, or engaging in sexual acts. It’s not like he judged it, but it was always fun to tease. Teasing was a key factor in their relationship. Besides, he’d be honored to be Viktor’s first. If Viktor ever agreed to anything like that. Viktor’s voice brought him back to the present.
“If you wished for me to give you a rating, yet knew the answer you wanted, why would you ask in the first place?”
Jayce groaned. “A 9, though? Seriously? It’s so close to 10.”
“Oh relax, my love, I am only teasing.” He chuckled, kissing Jayce’s nose.
“My love”... Jayce was on Cloud 20 by now. He didn’t think the moment could get any better, but then Viktor drops such a sweet pet name, and now Jayce wants to smother him until the sun rises.
They stayed like that for a while, hugging and whispering sweet nothings to each other. Neither knew how long, and neither cared.
“Jayce…” Viktor began. “I wish to show you what I have accomplished here. Will you let me?”
That made Jayce snap back into reality and out of the moment. Hextech. What Viktor had created with Hextech. It… seemed peaceful. But not natural. When he saw Salo in the Hexgates, he wasn’t natural. He was walking. Jayce was there when Salo’s legs were crushed under the rubble. That terrible terrible day when he lost Viktor. Viktor’s body lying motionless in the chaos. He felt the fear again, the fear of losing Viktor to something he couldn’t control.
He looked back at Viktor.
“Viktor… Hextech, it’s a curse. It leads to destruction. I’ve seen it happen, and now you’ve seen it too.” His voice was pleading, desperate to convince Viktor to end this.
“But we now know how it happens, and how to prevent it.” Viktor ran his fingers through Jayce’s hair. “Let me show you. I won't let those mistakes happen here. You have my word.”
Jayce sighed, but relented. “Okay. But you tell me everything, clear?”
“Clear.”