Work Text:
Most days, Viktor thinks he's doing well.
He wakes up in his small apartment and fixes himself a quick breakfast. Afterwards, he bathes and dresses himself and beats the morning rush for the bus that takes him to the heart of Piltover. He clocks in at his corporate job, sits on his desk, and does the same thing he did yesterday in the lab.
It's a Friday, so Renata will want updates on their product launch. Viktor has been fixing some bugs by himself because the rest of his team is either 'sick' or on vacation. Of course, this isn't the first time they've done this, and Viktor determines that the common denominator of his team doing this for the past 5 years is right during the busiest period just before a product launch.
Aside from Renata hounding him for updates every hour for the past week and HR haranguing him for submitting his work accomplishment reports for his team, Marketing has also been asking him if they have the clearance to post promotional materials on their social media about their product.
Viktor has been adamantly replying that it's a no-go until further notice because there's still many things he needs to test — which Renata and the rest of the department heads should be aware of because Viktor had told them during their virtual meeting last Tuesday where they, oh, had their cameras off save for Viktor.
No questions, they said. Everything's crystal clear, Viktor, they said. We'll compromise, they said. They just wanted the meeting to end early and clock out.
Despite that, nobody seems to care that Viktor is practically finishing everything as a one-man team because his staff has, once again, left him to his own devices. He can't even complain or reject their paid time off without getting HR on his ass. One time during his 3rd year at work and 2nd year as department head, Viktor had put his foot down and rejected all PTO requests right before product launch so he could get all hands on deck. He'd promptly been told by HR that he wasn't allowed to do that because it was 'inhumane' according to anonymous reports made on him by his team — as if Viktor was rejecting every PTO they filed every single time.
What about Viktor, then? Isn't it inhumane that none of his employees want to help him at the most crucial stage of their project? Yet, they're the ones who dress up in the flashiest attires during awards night, as if they've done anything worthwhile — hell, Viktor's even the one fixing their mistakes because of how terrible they are at their jobs.
Dmitri from Accounting — one of the very few people Viktor actually tolerates in the company — calls them 'nepo hires.' Sky from Quality Control had laughed at lunch and told Viktor that Renata would probably save more if she just doubled Viktor's salary and fired everyone in his team.
Viktor told her not to joke around while hoping Renata, or any of her secretaries, would overhear and consider it an actual option.
While Viktor knows he'd be better off doing everything alone, he won't mind at least one competent hire. With every year he spends with the company, the more each department demands results for him. He's just a dot in the bigger picture, after all.
A cog in the machine.
"Viktor,
If we aren't cleared to post promotional photos of our products today, it'll set us back by another week. I'm hoping this matter will be resolved at your earliest convenience.
Best,
Jan"
Viktor pinches the bridge of his nose and takes quick deep breaths. He looks at the time on his desktop and notices it's already a little before lunch time.
He needs a break or he might just reply with something so scathing while cc-ing his entire team so Viktor can also give them a piece of his mind. Hah! HR would have a field day with that one.
Many days, Viktor had contemplated sending in his resignation letter to end it all — and, just as many days, he found himself saving his email back in his drafts. He knows he'll never get a better retirement package as a Zaunite in Piltover than Glasc Industries. Were Viktor in any other company, he'd probably still be stuck as an employee with a measly entry-level wage.
Five years in and Viktor's already leading his department. The pay is more than generous, and his insurance and health benefits are more than put to good use, especially with his new prosthetic leg. He can't leave — where else would he go that'd match or surpass Renata's offer?
So Viktor decides to have an early lunch by himself. In reality, he just goes to the nearest coffee stand right outside their office building. Progress Street, known as a business district, is full of rising buildings sitting next to each other. Sometimes, Viktor can't even see the sun because of another building blocking it. It's common to see people in suits rushing to the next location or catching a cab, the bus, or the train.
There are condominiums, restaurants, and even a mall on the other side, though, so Viktor sometimes spots the occasional tourist, visitor, or jogger passing by. Today, it's especially busy as it nears lunch, so the sound of traffic and the conversations of people feel too loud like it always is.
Viktor plugs in his noise-cancelling earbuds and checks his Spotify to see what song is playing.
you were good to me • Jeremy Zucker, Chelsea Cutler
Connected to JAYCE WH-1000XM6
With a sigh, Viktor finds himself playing the exact same song on YouTube after skipping an ad. He skips to the exact second that the song on Spotify is playing and pretends he's 15, sitting late at night in an abandoned mall's parking lot, and sharing a beat-up mp3 player Viktor had repaired with the owner of the headphones.
Leaving isn't better than trying
Growing, but I'm just growing tired
Now I'm worried for my soul
And I'm still scared of growing old
This isn't the first time Viktor checks Spotify to know what song Jayce is listening to. It's a bad habit, knowing they mean nothing to each other now, but there's still an easy comfort in sharing something small with someone he used to love.
Though, that'd be a lie because Viktor still feels the same way. It's a different kind of torment having to carry that knowledge, but it's impossible to deny after 7 years of being apart.
The first time Viktor had checked if Jayce had kicked him out of their shared Spotify account was a week after they'd broken up. Their break up wasn't pretty, and they exchanged words they didn't mean, but the damage was done. They were no longer the same teens who fell in love screaming at each other from opposite ends of a pedestrian lane because the red signal had gotten in between them.
A part of Viktor felt he'd done something wrong, calling it quits between them so soon. He just wanted to know Jayce hadn't done anything drastic in his absence.
Amnesia • 5 Seconds of Summer
Connected to Jayce's iPhone X
Viktor was quick to search the song on YouTube while reading the lyrics on Google.
It hurts to know you're happy
Yeah, it hurts that you moved on
It's hard to hear your name
When I haven't seen you in so long
Viktor remembered flopping down on his bed, an arm slung over his eyes. "Jesus, Jayce..." He was contemplating on giving Jayce a call. He knew better than to do that. It'd just aggravate their situation if he heard Viktor's voice. Jayce would claim Viktor's concern was a facade to make himself look like the good guy.
It was just apt that their relationship had to end. Viktor wasn't expecting that Jayce would take him all the way to the aisle. Viktor had known it from the very first kiss they shared over ice cream by the beach on a winter night.
It was the perfect opportunity to end it. Viktor told himself that time would heal all wounds, and he'd recover from Jayce and find someone new. He still hasn't — and probably never will.
Still, Viktor can't stop the habit of checking his Spotify account at his most vulnerable. Jayce's account details never changed, and Viktor still wonders if he knows and did that on purpose.
Viktor lines up in front of the coffee stand and checks his watch. 11:46 AM. He has more than enough time and contemplates buying cheese ramen from a nearby convenience store — though, he doesn't think it'll pair particularly well with his tall hot sweetmilk order.
When the song ends, Viktor peeks at his Spotify and changes his song on YouTube again.
Promise • Laufey
Connected to JAYCE WH-1000XM6
Viktor orders his drink when it's his turn and gives the barista the same name he's given her since he first started buying sweetmilk from her stand. She must think it's Viktor's actual name when it's not.
"Must be a pretty tough day at work today, huh?" the barista comments as she writes a name on the cup.
Viktor takes off one earbud and stuffs it inside his pants pocket. "That obvious?"
She glances up. "Respectfully, Jayce? You only come here looking like you haven't slept in days. I know a guy who comes here during this time of the week as well looking like absolute hell."
"That's just the corporate world for you," Viktor mumbles as he pays her, dropping a bill in her tip jar. She thanks him and Viktor finds a nearby bench by a tree and watches people while waiting for his drink.
It hurts to be something
It's worse to be nothing with you
Jayce's name summons better memories spent in their late high school and early college days of going on study dates that led to playful banter and holding hands under the library table. Viktor fondly recalls Jayce stealing a kiss while they were studying. Viktor quickly reprimanded him for not focusing on reviewing for their exam. He thinks Jayce already knew Viktor looked away with his palm covering the side of his head because his entire face was on fire.
Back then, love was so simple. It came so easily between them most days that Viktor had ended up fooling himself into thinking that there would never come a day where he wouldn't have to live without Jayce's presence in his life. No more late-night Instagram DMs and sending TikToks in the middle of the day that Jayce said reminded them of Viktor. No more text messages asking Viktor if he had lunch because he always forgot when he was caught up with something.
Viktor never thought losing Jayce would feel like losing a limb. His eyes note his absence, but his stubborn heart continues to feel him in places he shouldn't be. And that's the problem with Viktor — he's never believed in the paranormal, so he never knew what being haunted felt like until he saw Jayce in every passing stranger with a dimpled smile or any man with dark black hair pushed back, an errant strand curving against his forehead like an embrace.
In Progress Street's busiest hub, there's so many men who bear resemblance to Jayce in this manner — but none of them are ever him. Viktor thinks he's seen a whole lot of them that he's tamed his head not to chase each one like he did his first 6 months working under Glasc Industries.
Despite Viktor's busy schedule, he finds himself scrolling through social media to pass time when he's on the bus. He always knew Jayce was meant for something bigger, and Viktor would often catch glimpses of him in the news that he spent way too long staring at, just to update the image of his Jayce in his head.
Jayce is some kind of successful businessman now. He still designs and builds things, but Viktor thinks that frequently travelling abroad takes him far away from the lab and forge more often than not. Jayce has always been good at the marketing part — maybe his talking skills have gotten better, turning him into someone likeable for a change.
Viktor used to be the only one who could stand Jayce. To Viktor, Jayce was likeable in a way that a happy accident was likeable. It wasn't like Viktor planned or wanted Jayce in his life — and maybe he hated Jayce initially for what his presence brought out of Viktor — but he grew on him until Viktor saw Jayce in every future he thought of.
Now, the whole world is in love with Jayce Giopara — but there's no longer a future for the both of them that Viktor can see.
When Viktor looks at stupid Instagram reels, he always finds himself thinking of Jayce and what he'll say. Even when he saw that silly clip of someone ordering from a coffee shop using the name of someone they missed so they could hear it again, all Viktor could think about was Jayce.
'You would do something stupid like this.'
Viktor would've sent Jayce the video with that message if things were different — and if they didn't have each other blocked everywhere. Viktor still can't find himself unblocking Jayce after so many years — he doesn't think he'll ever be ready to face the life Jayce has made after Viktor.
When the piano notes from Viktor's earbuds solemnly peter out, he returns them to their case before hearing his order being called out.
"Tall hot sweetmilk for Jayce!"
Viktor rises from the bench, feeling a lot lighter than he did before taking his order. There was something so nostalgic about hearing Jayce's name out in the open. For a while, Viktor thinks he can pretend Jayce is somewhere in the crowd, existing in the same space as Viktor. He can pretend that he doesn't carry a yawning emptiness in the cave of his chest or return to quiet nights spent in a cold bed because Jayce had once existed in his life and left his mark everywhere.
Jayce was egotistical and infuriating and loud and he was Viktor's. Once upon a time, he was Viktor's — a fairytale, a dream.
One that they both eventually had to wake up from.
It was inevitable that time apart and differing philosophies in life would eat at their dying relationship. Viktor loved and hated what made their relationship so human. College was a challenge, and they joined different social circles. Jayce and Viktor's schedules began to vary despite sharing the same program. They started participating in different organizations. Viktor volunteered for charity work and attended rallies while Jayce went to galas every week and attended fancy clubs with his snooty, rich friends.
Maybe the worst part of his relationship with Jayce was the fact that they started growing into different people that no longer fit in each other's lives. Viktor used to ask himself where he went wrong, if he had been too demanding of Jayce — but now he knows it's none of that.
Sometimes, people exist in one's life to serve as a lesson for the next one that comes around. Jayce won't have any problem with that — though, Viktor knows he'll be opting out of the dating market for the unforeseeable future.
Viktor gives the barista a small smile before walking back to the direction of his workplace, something inside his chest unfurling as the warmth of his sweetmilk spreads through his palms—
"Tall black coffee for Viktor!" the barista calls. When no one comes up to claim the order, she shouts, "Tall black coffee for Viktor?"
Viktor finds himself turning around by instinct upon hearing his name. His heart skips before settling — his name isn't so uncommon that nobody would share the same name. Viktor sighs and turns away.
"Shit— Ah, f— Sorry, had my headphones on. Was kinda spacing out there for a bit, you understand," a man says. Viktor finds himself frozen in place, people in a rush passing him by.
He would know that voice anywhere.
"Vik, you don't have to be sorry," the barista says with a smile in her voice. "You genuinely look like you need your coffee pronto."
"It's been a tough week," the man sighs. Viktor imagines him running his fingers through dark hair, more strands falling over his forehead. "A tough life, really. Anyway, I've got to get back to work. Thanks for the coffee, D!"
Viktor whips around in search of the voice, but there's too many people wearing suits with broad backs and dark hair. He looks for a man with headphones on and he thinks he finds Jayce walking the opposite direction. Viktor finds his feet following — he knows he shouldn't, he really, really shouldn't — but Jayce's strides are too long and fast, and Viktor's metal leg is just catching up with each uncertain step.
Viktor sees Jayce crossing the road, and the pedestrian signal is just about to blink red. Viktor's trying to chase after him by weaving through people walking the opposite direction. He knows that he should call for Jayce to stop him.
Viktor doesn't.
What would he even say?
Viktor finds himself on the side of the road, standing there as he watches Jayce disappear among the crowd. The little chase is the most cardio Viktor's ever gotten in years, and he catches his breath by the signal waiting for nothing.
Viktor opens his Spotify and notices Jayce is still listening to music.
Amnesia • 5 Seconds of Summer
Connected to JAYCE WH-1000XM6
Viktor finds himself typing a song on the search bar. He hesitates, reconsiders, before pressing the song.
The One That Got Away • Katy Perry
Connected to JAYCE WH-1000XM6
It seems Jayce notices the change and reverts his music back, thinking it's a glitch of sorts. Viktor is stubborn and fights him on his music choice by making the same song play again.
Viktor looks up and notices Jayce's head like a guide. He's frozen in place right before a turn.
Viktor chooses to play another song.
Sorry • Halsey
Connected to JAYCE WH-1000XM6
After half a minute, Viktor chooses a new random song. He can only hope Jayce catches his message.
Behind You • Horror Trailer Music
Connected to JAYCE WH-1000XM6
Viktor notices Jayce whipping his head from side to side before turning around, searching for a familiar face.
Who are you? • Saga Faye
Connected to JAYCE WH-1000XM6
Oh.
It's a little disappointing, and Viktor feels stupid now. Maybe someone else uses Jayce's Spotify account too. Maybe Viktor isn't the only one. Maybe all those sad, sappy songs he thought Jayce was listening to were all him. Maybe it wasn't. Maybe he has someone in his life who he shares his Spotify account with — just like he used to with Viktor.
Viktor swallows and watches the pedestrian signal turn green. He crosses the road without any urgency as he keeps his eyes trained on Jayce's face. It seems Jayce hasn't noticed him yet — or Viktor's face is just so forgettable after so many years.
With a sigh, Viktor glances down at his phone and picks another song.
It's Me • ILLIT
Connected to Viktor's Phone
Viktor observes Jayce's reaction when he sees the words on his phone — and when he looks up, his blue eyes finally catch Viktor's amidst the crowd.
Viktor doesn't know what he expects when he sees Jayce after so many years. He's thinking, with how they ended everything, that there would be hostility in between them — but all of Viktor's anger and heartbreak have come and gone. When he sees Jayce smile at him — small, tentative — Viktor finds himself doing the same.
Jayce rests his headphones around his neck as he and Viktor meet halfway.
"Hey," Jayce says with an awkward raise of his hand holding his coffee. All those photos of Jayce online don't do him justice — he's utterly devastating in real life that Viktor's words have left him. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Me neither."
Jayce's throat clicks as he swallows. People pass them by.
"Um... How have you been?"
It's mortifying having a conversation with someone like a stranger when they used to know everything about each other.
"Good. I just, eh, wanted to check if I wasn't seeing things," Viktor says stiffly. "You look well, Jayce."
Jayce sucks in a sharp breath — lashes briefly fluttering like he can't believe what's in front of him — before letting out a bark of laughter. "I look like shit, but thanks, Viktor." He clears his throat. "Even got myself some coffee to wake myself up. You know how it is when I have deadlines to catch." He raises his cup, as if to prove a point.
Viktor's smile stretches. "I suppose your bedroom is gathering dust now, as we sp— Is that my name on your cup?"
Jayce doesn't even glance down to check.
"I can see mine on yours as well, V," Jayce shoots back with that infuriating grin that dimples the side of his cheek. "Don't judge."
Viktor's cheeks burn as he looks away, trying to dodge Jayce's eyes. "Hm. I am guessing we both watched the same Instagram reel, then."
"Maybe we did, V."
The conversation is easy again, like their souls still know how to converse despite everything.
"Why did you really call me?"
Viktor looks at Jayce. "What?"
"You could've chosen not to follow after seeing me."
"I know."
"So why?" Jayce tilts his head, mildly confused.
"I don't know," Viktor answers, "I suppose I wanted to know if I was still seeing or hearing things. I wanted to confirm you were just a figment of my imagination."
"And?" Jayce steps closer. "Are you disappointed that it's the real deal this time?"
Viktor dips his head. "You should already know the answer to that." He nudges his cup against Jayce. "I-I should go."
Viktor turns and Jayce watches him leave. Viktor crosses the road with long, hurried strides and wants to smash his head against concrete. Fuck, he feels like an absolute id—
"V!"
Viktor whips around and finds Jayce on the opposite side of the road. His heart skips a beat — no matter how long it's been, Viktor's heart still knows who it belongs to. His name has never sounded more perfect coming from Jayce's lips.
Jayce cups one hand around his mouth. "Unblock my number!" he shouts. "Let's catch up!"
“You first!” Viktor shouts back, feeling a laugh bubbling up inside him.
Viktor watches Jayce's grin reach his ears. He thinks he catches sight of the man he fell in love with standing amidst tired, irritated, overworked corporate slaves like them. Viktor was just like them most of his career, and he probably is — but right now he doesn't envy them for a second.
In a place where hundreds, thousands, millions of people stand, Viktor has never felt more special than with Jayce's eyes focused only on him.
On a Friday afternoon, in the busiest hub in Piltover Street, Viktor thinks he might just give love another shot.