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Viktor pretends he hasn't been staring at Jayce's face for the last 5 minutes since he woke up. When Jayce's face scrunches up in that adorably annoyed way — his lips pulling back on one side to bare a single fang — after sunlight from the window shines on his eyelids, Viktor witnesses him wake up with a groan. Hazy hazel eyes flutter open as Jayce rubs the sleep away from them, a lazy smile beginning to form on his lips at the familiar sight of his partner.
"Mornin', V," Jayce slurs in a voice rough with sleep. He reaches forward and rubs Viktor's cheekbone with his thumb. The gesture is a morning habit that immediately softens whatever edges are left in Viktor's heart.
It almost makes him feel bad for what he's about to do first thing in the morning.
"Good morning, Jayce," Viktor greets sweetly, disarming in every single way. It's why Jayce doesn't register the next words that leave Viktor's lips. "I'm breaking up with you."
There is a tranquil silence in their bedroom, Jayce's thumb still caressing Viktor's cheek as he hums in contentment. His eyelids almost fall shut again, and Viktor watches as Jayce's brain finally begins to catch up with the words he just said.
Jayce's eyes fly wide open as he flinches almost violently and grabs Viktor's face with both hands. Suddenly, he looks like he's been electrocuted from how frazzled and truly awake he suddenly is — no coffee needed for that. "What? Why?" He asks in utter confusion and mild disbelief as he closes the distance between them, Jayce's bare chest pressing against Viktor's clothed one.
Viktor does his best to hold in his laugh as he puts on a nonchalant façade. "What do you mean 'why?' I just want to."
Jayce frowns, obviously unable to believe Viktor's claim. The hand on Viktor's face slips down to wrap around the back of his neck. Like this, he can feel the way Jayce's fingers tremble slightly as he begins to break out into a cold sweat. "You don't just do things out of a whim, V. Especially not about things like this," he argues. God, it's a little difficult to fight back and keep lying when Jayce looks at him with so much heat and intention. Viktor feels his morning wood pressing uncomfortably against his tight white boxers at the sight.
Still, Jayce manages to let out a deep exhale, his voice suddenly softening as he tries to parse the reason behind Viktor's spontaneous decision. "Did I do something wrong? Did I put salt instead of sugar into your sweetmilk by accident?"
Viktor shakes his head, amusement beginning to seep through the cracks of his mask. "It's neither of those things."
"Then, what is it?" Jayce asks, his eyes suddenly bright and irresistible — it's those damn puppy eyes again. How can Viktor fight against a weapon so lethal? He feels his heart twist as his partner's hands suddenly make their way to seize his hips.
"It's April 1, Jayce," Viktor answers tenderly as he brushes a stray strand of hair falling into Jayce's eye.
On the other hand, Jayce finds himself scrunching up his nose in befuddlement. Frankly, it's quite adorable, and Viktor resists the urge to lean forward and capture Jayce's pouting lips with his thin ones. "What does the date have to do with this?"
"Do you not have the same custom here in Piltover?" Viktor asks. "In Zaun, we often call it April Fools' Day."
"Oh," Jayce says, the realization settling in as he blinks once. He lets out a small snort before the worry on his face dissolves into relief. "You were pulling my leg."
"Yes, though I believe I should've gone for something more absurd and shocking that you would be left in utter disbelief," Viktor confesses before letting out a small laugh, letting his mask of indifference crumble completely. He places a hand on Jayce's cheek, feeling the rough stubble under his palm that would surely be quite something in between his legs — maybe after a few more minutes. "Perhaps trying to convince you that your home is haunted by some apparition would've been more effective."
"Honestly, I'd prefer that. I'd be scared shitless, but it's better than the thought of losing you." Jayce's confession startles Viktor a little. He knows Jayce never fails to remind him of how irreplaceable his existence is, but it doesn't stop Viktor from feeling just as flushed as the first time he heard it.
"Forgive me, Jayce. I let my curiosity get the best of me," Viktor says as the tips of his fingers travel from Jayce's cheek to his lips. "How ever will I make it up to you?"
Jayce holds his partner's gaze, intense hazel eyes burning straight through amber ones as he grabs Viktor by the wrist and kisses his open palm. "Marry me," Jayce whispers.
Now, Viktor feels the blood spreading throughout his entire face. He can feel even the tips of his ears burn. "Eh... Say that again?"
"I said I want you to marry me," Jayce repeats, loud and clear this time. There is so much conviction in his face that Viktor's heart starts pounding like a drum. "So you will never think of breaking up with me ever again."
"This is, ah, a bit much, no? Are you certain you have thought this matter through?" Viktor asks, doubt creeping into his features as Jayce bumps their foreheads together, both of them shutting their eyes as they bask in each other's presence. "Unless this is your way of celebrating the occasion and, eh, getting back at me?" He adds in jest.
"I'll ask you again tomorrow," Jayce says, pulling Viktor closer by the hips. "And the day after tomorrow, and after that too. I won't stop until you believe it." Jayce presses a small kiss at the tip of Viktor's nose that has his partner breaking out into a small fit of laughter.
Already, their morning seems brighter than yesterday. And the days before that.
"You are persistent. And a fool," Viktor murmurs as he plants a kiss on the side of Jayce's face, fully revelling in Jayce's touch. Viktor allows himself to indulge a little more this morning, letting his hands rest on Jayce's broad and firm chest. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."
"A fool, yes, but yours nonetheless," Jayce retorts, cracking a smile. "Forever, if you'll have me."
Viktor is helpless against the gravity of Jayce's affection, and he finds himself leaning forward until their lips finally meet halfway. They slot perfectly like this, and nothing else could feel more right.
Viktor's prank may not have been a success this time, but at least he knows he can just try a different approach on his husband next year.