Chapter Text
Jayce had every intention of telling Viktor the plan. Viktor was his partner, best friend, and the person that knew and accepted Jayce in his entirety, without hesitation or doubt. Viktor would understand. It was the very reason why Jayce proposed this—well,
Proposal to begin with.
Jayce had every intention of making the process as transparent as possible. It was a delicate process and one that might unsettle his flighty partner. Barring scientific feats and experimental hazards, Viktor was a skittish thing before crowds, and especially before the system and governing bodies of Piltover. For this plan to work, it necessitated clear collaboration and crystalline communication.
That was not what happened.
Of course, Jayce had to consult his mother. Of course he had to let her know his plans on adding Viktor to the Talis family name. She was the matriarch of the Talis family and the official head of the household, held the estate, and carried forth the authority placed upon her by Jayce’s father upon his passing. To uphold the credence of accepting another into House Talis in the eyes of Piltover law, Ximena Talis must give her blessing.
It was a damn good thing she adored Viktor.
Of course, Caitlyn accompanied him for moral support. And likely for his mother’s cooking.
There was always a nostalgic ache, both warm and painful, that settled into his chest whenever he arrived at his childhood home. For a long time, it had just been him and his mother. Widowed and traumatized from a near-death experience that nearly left her and her boy dying in the frost, she carried along and raising her anxious, magic-devout child, quietly supporting his little hobby while trying to quiet him, shield him from cruelties of a society that saw magic as something dangerous, as something—
To be feared.
Jayce had grown since then. Had made a mark on the history books of Piltover after the night where he thought he lost everything,
But gained someone who believed in him.
Which was why he sat by his mother’s side on the dining table, the familiar scent of hibiscus floating from his mother’s cup bringing this early-thirties man back to when he’d been eight and collected crystals and posters of magicians for his mamá to hang up in his room.
“Mamá,” Jayce started. “I need to ask you something.”
Any other time, Ximena Talis would have rolled her eyes, clicked her tongue, and accused him (lightheartedly or not) that of course, her only son, her only flesh and blood, would come by to visit his aging mamá for a favor. What despair! What cruelty! What a heavy burden to place on a mother’s heart!
But she was Jayce’s mother, and she’d seen that anxious, pleading face too many times throughout her life to ever deny her son his heart’s desires. “Of course, what is it, mijo?”
“It’s—about Viktor, mamá,” Jayce started.
Her eyes rounded in concern and Caitlyn immediately had to interject with: “It’s all right—he’s fine, Ms. Talis.”
Her frown deepened. “Is this about the sponsorship? Did the lawyers have something else to say?”
“It’s—related to that,” Jayce hedged carefully. “But no, mamá, they didn’t find another way to help Viktor.”
“But if this is about Viktor, then why is he not here with you?” she demanded. Jayce tried not to roll his eyes. Of course, she’d be offended, her own son, flesh and blood, bringing up her beloved flaco while cruelly keeping him away.
Jayce can’t help but chuckle, a comfort blanketing the raw nerves at approaching his mother with this…unusual request. “I’ll bring him in after this, mamá, I promise. I just…have something to ask. Well, request.”
Ximena nodded, humming thoughtfully as she waited for Jayce to continue.
“Viktor and I—well, we’ve been together—as partners—for a long time and he’s—”
The most important person in my life.
Jayce blanked. Where was he going with this again?
“The most important person in your life.” Ximena giggled as Jayce sputtered. “I’m your mother, Jayce, of course I know this.” Her eyes glowed with warmth, acceptance. “He’s a sweet boy that I only wish to come visit more often with my only son.”
“That’s—good,” Jayce started. “Hopefully after this, Viktor and I can come by more often.”
“Oh?” Her tone turned teasing, if not accusatory. “Wasn’t that what you said after building that—that transporting machine—”
“The Hexgates, mamá,” Jayce sighed, a little exasperated, a little fond, especially knowing that his mamá was there for the opening ceremony, at the very front seat. “That’s…actually one of the reasons why I’m here to ask…” Jayce knew not to dawdle. Knew not to hem and haw,
Not when his mother saw right through him.
“…I’m here to ask…” he started, looking at his mother as he gauged her reactions carefully. So far, Ximena Talis was giving him a look of impatience. “If you’d allow me to make Viktor a part of the Talis family.”
The resulting shriek was petrifying, the sudden, exaggerated flailing movements sending tea straight to the floor. Jayce sat there, wide-eyed, ready to apologize, to beg, to grovel—
To let him convince her—!
But then Jayce was receiving smothering, frantic kisses to his cheeks and forehead and—
“Mamá!” Jayce sputtered as Caitlyn held back giggles. “What’s the matter—”
“Oh mijo,” she cooed. “We would be honored to bring Viktor into our family!” She gasped. “Oh, have you told him? Did he already accept—”
Heart racing and thoughts going a mile a minute, Jayce managed to settle on his mother’s infectious enthusiasm and the—
Acceptance.
His mother approved. They have a shot at this. Jayce felt relief bubble over him before he was completely awash with excitement. “N-No, mamá! I haven’t said anything yet!” But first— he had to make sure his mother didn’t spoil the surprise! Err— the plan! I just really wanted to get your permission first!” But now that Jayce said it, it seemed offensively unnecessary.
Especially at the impatient look his mother shot him. “Well, you have it, Jayce.” She placed her hand in his, the warm metal of her prosthetic against his hand, a stark reminder of what brought him to this very moment.
Having driven by his desire to bring magic to the world, the same magic that saved him and his mother, to the prove that he was capable of the impossible, that he could—
That he could make his mamá proud.
And that road led him to Viktor: the very person that helped make all of this happen. When no one else believed in him,
There was Viktor.
And he’d be there for Viktor, no matter what.
“Thank you, mamá,” he murmured. “This is important to Viktor. To finally have a House, to finally cement his place here in Piltover, with us—”
“Oh, a wedding!” she sighed. “Sometimes I thought the day would never come!”
Jayce felt a flicker of indignance at that. “Hey!” But then— “Wait, uh, wedding—.”
Caitlyn turned to him with a calm expression, save for the wide-eyed panic clear as day in her eyes. That told Jayce that he ought to elaborate further.
Not that his mother needed any more convincing. “The look on your face told me everything I needed to! I am your mother, you know!” Jayce would like to point out that his mamá also didn’t know that he was embroiled and entangled in deeply unapproved and slightly illegal experimentation during his years in the Academy, but he held his tongue. Maturity did that to a man. “You know, mijo…usually, you’d be asking Viktor’s mother for permission to take his hand.”
Jayce scoffed. “You’re already his mother, aren’t you?”
Ximena looked pleased at that response. “Yes. And I would very much love for my future son-in-law to come by so I can formally welcome him into our family.”
“I haven’t asked him yet.” He chuckled, feeling relieved, feeling some of the tension in him loosen at the warm, easy acceptance. He never wanted to disappoint her again. “Thank you, mamá.”
But for Viktor, he’d risk it.
Caitlyn cleared her throat as she assisted in picking up the teapot and cup from the floor. “We’re very excited for you Jayce. I do feel the need to remind you that we should…elaborate on how this came about.”
Ximena chuckled good-naturedly. “My dearest young lady Kiramman, there’s no need for further elaboration. I know my boy, and believe me when I was counting down the days when Viktor was going to make an honest man out of my Jayce!”
Jayce sputtered, red-faced and mortified. “I-I’M VERY HONEST, MAMÁ!”
Except for this.
“Perhaps, but mostly when it suits you.”
Because Viktor chose this exact moment to walk through the door before Jayce even had the chance to clarify.
Jayce swore his mother’s eyes were actually shining. She gave a gasp and drew her (likely new favorite) son into a tight embrace. Jayce could practically hear Viktor’s ribs creaking from the affection and his mamá’s vice-grip. “Mrs. Talis—”
“Viktor, mi flaco, how many times are you going to break an old woman’s heart?” she cried.
Viktor huffed out a laugh, gently, returning her embrace with bashful affection. “Apologies, Ximena…”
“Viktor,” Jayce started with a straining smile, anxiety kicking up a flutter in his belly. “When did you get here?”
And how much of that did you hear? Jayce felt sweat bead on his brow.
“Just now,” Viktor said simply, knowing he’d get away with bullying Jayce when his own mother was present. “If you’re asking how much I heard, I only arrived at your defensive stammering, undoubtedly in response to giving your poor mother more grief.”
Jayce rolled his eyes. Figures he’d play up being his mamá’s favorite.
Viktor’s lucky he loved him anyways.
Jayce’s eyes widened. His heart stopped.
What what—
“Viktor,” Caitlyn greeted with a polite smile. “It’s nice to see you.”
“You as well, Miss Kiramman,” Viktor returned with a slight nod in greeting. “I hope your duties have been faring well.”
A polite chuckle; anyone who knew Cait well enough could hear the strain. “As…well as they can be.”
And as Viktor and Caitlyn made polite conversation, and Jayce trying to turn the wheels where that thought must have erupted from, Ximena Talis nudged her only son on the shoulder. Pausing the emotional crisis, Jayce turned to his mamá, the gentle sparkle in her eyes telling him that he’d earned express permission to go forth with his plan—
Yet the stiff smile on her lips also pleaded, Do not embarrass yourself.
“Viktor, my dear, apologies for interrupting, but I really must show you the garden! It’s in full bloom this season—Jayce, please.” Ximena dragged her boy, her pride and joy, and practically shoved him towards the future Mister Viktor Talis.
“R-Right, we should—” Jayce stammered, feeling a flood of anxiety rush through his veins, creeping up to paint his cheeks a deep red. “Let’s go, V…” he muttered, guiding a bemused Viktor by the small of the back towards the garden entrance at the back.
Jayce didn’t need to look at Viktor to know his partner was casting him questioning, furtive glances as they retreated to the quiet air outside,
While Jayce just knew that his mother and Caitlyn were likely spying on them from behind the curtains as they stood full-view from the windows.
His mother was certainly more honest than Jayce could be. The blooms were gorgeous and the dusty pink of the twilight sky added to the delicate ambiance. The clouds had retreated past the horizon, painting the towering buildings in palettes of golds and reds. The Hexgates towered above them all,
A pinnacle. A beacon. A triumph.
A collaboration.
A partnership.
“It’s quite the sight from here, isn’t it?” Viktor asked, seating himself on a garden bench and lifting his gaze at the tower. “To think, we’ll be expanding the lab soon..”
That’s right. With the flood of new investors, they could tackle more projects and increase the scale. There was new equipment being ordered, more lab assistants being hired, and yet it felt like the work was never done.
Jayce nodded absently; things had been speeding by so fast after everything had seemed to crawl at a snail’s pace these past few years. Now, the Hextech name was known far and wide! The people of Piltover looked to the marriage of science and magic towards the next age of Progress.
Marriage.
Right.
Jayce should be getting on with it, right? His mamá and Cait were waiting! This was the perfect atmosphere to regale his clever plot to his equally clever partner!
His equally clever partner that knew him all too well as Viktor leaned on his crutch to peer at his panicked face curiously. “Is everything all right, Jayce?”
“Yeah!” Jayce squeaked. Squeaked. Oh God. “Why—why wouldn’t it be?”
Viktor sent him a thoroughly offended look. But, decided to humor Jayce anyways: “Hm…your pitch is higher than usual. You were in a hurry to remove me from your mother’s and Miss Kiramman’s company. And you have the proclivity to get defensive when you know you’re about to upset someone.”
Thoroughly dissected.
As expected of a scientist of Viktor’s caliber.
“I…” Jayce floundered before sighing in resignation. “…you know all that?”
Viktor let out a laugh. A giggle. An adorable little chuff that had no right sounding so endearing from a grown man and accomplished scientist. It wasn’t fair. “How long have we worked together, Jayce?”
Though that’s fair enough. “But, I’m curious: what brings you here?” It’s not like Viktor went out of his way for social visits. Despite the mutual affection between Viktor and his mamá, it was usually Jayce that herded his (slightly asocial) companion towards his mother’s waiting arms and home.
Viktor rolled his eyes. “You cannot dodge a question by asking your own,” he reprimanded, attempting to appear stern but failing to do so from the sunset soft hues against his skin and the tulips swaying gently around him. Viktor rested against the crutch Jayce had forged for him in a rare moment of relaxation.
(Jayce was reminded that he’d likely need to make adjustments. Viktor had been relying on the crutch a lot more over time, putting more of his weight on it with every step. He’d need to examine its structure in relation to how Viktor used it, making mental notes to redo some measurements based on height, stride length—
Perhaps he could fashion a mechanism to allow the height to be adjusted to Viktor’s comfort…)
“But if you must know, I was looking for you,” Viktor stated simply, his hands primly sitting atop the armrest as he leaned forward. “I had a feeling I’d find you here since you were not at your usual haunts.”
“Right…” Jayce muttered.
“I already know about the rejection,” Viktor said, voice steady, measured. Like he’d anticipated it. Like he knew it was fruitless.
Like he was used to this sort of treatment.
“You don’t have to sugarcoat it for me, Jayce,” Viktor said, voice softer this time. Like he was trying to comfort Jayce of all people. When it was Jayce’s partner that was being disregarded and discriminated against.
Jayce managed a smile. “That means a lot coming from someone who loves their sugar like you do.” A bad joke. The withering glare from Viktor told him so. Still, there was a hint of rueful affection there, in the slight twitch of the corner of his lip. It broke Jayce’s heart. “I’m…sorry, Viktor.”
“Why are you the one apologizing?” he scoffed. “The rejection has nothing to do with you.” Viktor paused. “And…you were the one who fought for my name to be placed there.” There was a restrained emotion there. Jayce remembered Viktor’s words that night. I simply believed in myself. At the time, the sentiment had been means of motivation, of inspiration—
And it also laid the hard, painful reality that Viktor was alone.
Was.
Because Jayce is here now. Jayce is his partner—
And that meant that Viktor never had to face a world that treated him as lesser, as undeserving, alone ever again.
“The Hexgates are finished and the whole of the academic and scientific world want the data and designs published. I don’t believe we can wait any longer.” He shrugged, the movement stiff and aborted as Viktor’s disease worsened over the years. “It’s okay, Jayce. I’m still here. I’m still your partner.” He gave an encouraging smile, eyes soft, warm. “A line on a document won’t diminish that.”
But it would.
To everyone else,
It would.
It was a pipe dream before: the thought of bringing magic to the world, having Jayce’s name all over the press, in books, emblazoned in the halls of the greatest inventors in all of Piltover,
In all the world—
And it couldn’t have happened without Viktor.
But the thought of Jayce’s name standing alone, the space left empty afterwards in recognition and accolade,
It made him ill.
Because he'd been alone in the past. Had worked alone in the past. Had suffered every mistake and setback alone and carried each quiet victory with celebration alone. He had Viktor now. Viktor who had been by his side and through him—with him— they not only breathed Hextech to life,
But transformed it.
Now, every mistake and setback was met with thorough investigation and shared grumblings and late nights working shoulder to shoulder, trading critiques, barbs, arguments (and later apologies), and cheap takeout.
Now, every victory and celebration was met with tired, dazed, chorused whoops and yells in the labs, pats on the back, exhausted flops onto the couch—a high-five, if their tired hand-eye coordination could muster it, even a nice dinner out. Lunch with his mamá.
Now, he has Viktor. And now, Viktor has Jayce too.
It was a crazy idea. Jayce, as any sane man should, had to have second-guessed it at least a dozen times before he approached his mother, and half-a-dozen more by the time he received her blessing.
But he’d been spoiled by working with his partner.
He was used to crazy ideas. Better yet, they made them and made them work together.
“I hear you, V, but it’s not just the publication. I’m—I’m worried this will set a bad precedent down the road for you,” Jayce pressed.
Viktor paused. He looked uneasy, though attempted to keep a nonchalant front. “It really…doesn’t matter all that much in the end, should it?” But Viktor wasn’t the only one who spent years learning his partner. “All that matters is that we get to use our work to bring change to the people, to help others.”
A martyr’s response. But Jayce could hear it in the way Viktor closed his expression, the way he deliberated on his words. The way he looked away and didn’t ask for more.
Even when he deserved the world.
“I don’t want them to forget about you.” Jayce never wanted to forget that look. The way Viktor met his eyes with surprise, with awe. There was something else there too. Not just gratitude, but... “Not when this was our goal, our dream.”
Viktor nodded, a small smile on his lips. “Our Hextech dream.”
Something stuttered deep within Jayce’s chest knowing that Viktor had remembered that night the exact way he did too. “Do you trust me?”
“Without a doubt.” And in that same breath: “What have you gotten yourself into now?”
Jayce couldn’t help but laugh, warmth blanketing the nerves, knowing that this was his partner. “I think…I found a way to get you that authorship.” And if anyone could help make this crazy plan come to fruition, it would be Viktor. “I—I was thinking…You could join my House.”
Viktor’s brows shot up in surprise, but he didn’t immediately interject—
Which Jayce knew was a good thing. It meant that Viktor was listening. And was willing to reserve his judgment until the end. “If you’re officially part of the Talis name, then that takes care of their gripes about the missing documentation, right?” Jayce paced—oh God, he was pacing—in front of him. “They wouldn’t accept your credentials from the Academy, but they can’t ignore your name anymore. Not with an official Piltovan House attached to it.”
Not with Jayce’s name attached to it.
Jayce watched, admittedly even holding his breath as Viktor turned the idea over and over in his head, examining the argument from all sides and trying to find the thread of logic within the (slightly) incoherent mess Jayce presented him with.
He knew immediately when Viktor had deemed it worthy of pursuit with the way his brows furrowed but softened in expression as he rubbed his chin, blinking and giving short nods.
Now was as good a time as any. Jayce held out his hand towards his partner. The Talis House signet laid in his palm. He met Viktor’s startled gaze with a quiet determination. “What do you say, partner?”
“Joining…your House.” Viktor started, chuckling at the sheer absurdity. He tilted his head in the very way he always did when finding a new angle to scrutinizing Jayce’s more…questionable decisions. “As in—”
Marriage.
Marriage.
That’s exactly what Jayce just proposed. In possibly the worst of all marriage proposals in history.
His mamá was likely panicking inside the house.
Viktor took all Jayce said and succinctly restructured it to its basest parts: "So…like a sponsorship? Just like with you and the Kirammans?"
Jayce felt sweat beading at his brow. "Yes, exactly!" he said, knowing that no, it was nothing like that at all.
But it was close enough. And this might be their best chance. “And…you’re okay with this?” Viktor asked, painfully skeptical. “Me…having your name?”
It was almost insulting. “Of course!” Jayce sat beside him, an arm thrown over Viktor’s thin shoulders. He presented the signet again, the metal gleaming under the dying sun. He held it towards his partner and all but begged in every way except in his words: “I’m the one asking. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Viktor let out a sigh; one of disbelief, Jayce knew. But that usually preceded Viktor folding to the latest experimental inquiry at his partner’s goading. “All right. If you’re sure.” Jayce gently placed the signet in his partner’s offered palm, his hand lingering over Viktor’s warmth for a fraction of a second longer than he needed to. “Let’s hear your plan then.”
Caitlyn shook her head. “Your mother is going to kill you.”
Not the most encouraging thing to hear after proposing to his partner and best friend of several years.
“I know.” Jayce hissed.
Of that, Jayce was sure. Especially seeing how she clutched her chest and wailed in agony right after Viktor left without wearing the family ring.
“The signet, Jayce?” She’d looked aghast. “You couldn’t have asked your own mamá for assistance?! I could have had the ring ready for you if you’d just asked—”
“I-It would need to be resized for Viktor anyways!” he reasoned. “I’m sure I have his measurements somewhere…maybe in the other notebook—"
Caitlyn stared at him. She looked mildly perturbed.
“The, uh, Hexclaw,” he started. “It’s our new project—the gloves function as a control apparatus and—”
“It’s fine,” Caitlyn reassured. “I’ve seen your notebooks lying around with sketches of Viktor all over. No need to elaborate.”
Jayce immediately reddened. “Hey!” Those were private!
Caitlyn shook her head. A smile made a way to her lips. Disbelieving. But not in a bad way. “You’re going through with it then.” It wasn’t a question. Just a reiteration. Allowing for the reality to sink in,
To set.
“You’re marrying Viktor.”
Jayce felt a flutter in his ribs. It can’t be healthy. He should get that checked. “Yup.” Yet, somehow, deciding that this was the best step moving forward was the easiest part in all of this. “Hopefully the publishers will get off our backs and give Viktor the recognition he deserves.” That was the real headache behind all this anyways. “I just hope Viktor’s, uh…okay with the…erm,” Jayce coughed. “Details of the agreement.”
“Well, he accepted your proposal, right?” Caitlyn laughed. But when no agreements followed, she narrowed her gaze. “…Right?”
“Yes! He agreed!” Jayce defended, his voice just an octave higher than his usual.
“To marrying you?” Caitlyn pressed.
“To…joining the Talis House,” Jayce hedged. But to no avail.
Caitlyn saw right through him. “Jayce!” she hissed.
“It’s fine!” He reassured, definitely not squeaking out: “It’s totally fine!”