Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jayce observed the mysterious man from a distance, his gold brown eyes staring directly at him as he scribbled away on the chalkboard. As far as Jayce could see,— which was difficult due to the poor lighting conditions of the room— it was slowly dwindling away to nothing the more the man wrote away, his fingernails nearly touching the messy board of scribbles.

Slowly, the man took a step back, leaning against the silver cane as he steadily observed the work so far...

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

All this time, but nothing to show for it, the man sighed, before touching his forehead out of irritation.

He was slender, and sort of hunched over, with ivory skin. Jayce had no idea who he could be, truthfully.

Jayce figured it would be a good time to introduce himself now as he descended the steps of the multi-tiered classroom, passing rows of empty seats.

The man then turned his head, giving Jayce a look, as if he had known Jayce was there, but he hadn't expected him to actually make his appearance known to him.

"...Can I help you?" He asked, his voice thick with an accent he couldn't actually place anywherefrom.

Jayce dug in his pocket, pulling out a full piece of chalk, before holding it out for the other man to take.

"I'm ... Jayce." He introduced.

"Jayce."

"....Yes."

The man gave him a semi-flippant look, before hesitantly grabbing the chalk out of the man's hand.

"...And?"

"Oh!— right." Jayce said, seemingly forgetting why he even came down at first, before rapidly digging in his pockets once more. Slowly, he pulled out a letter, adorned with a golden wax seal.

He held it outright for the man, to take, expectantly. The man seemed to at least recognize this, and took it with carefully.

He moved to lean against the desk behind him, it being covered in papers and a couple other letters of similar seals, drawing Jayce's attention as he picked up one of the scribbled on papers.

"Is this...—"

"—Heimerdinger."

"What?" Jayce said, tearing his eyes away from the paper he was looking at, which depicted a strange drawing of gravity and time, being bent by ... Something.

The man pinched his nose in annoyance as he seemingly triple checked the letter, before looking at jayce again, as to confirm his findings before he went on.

"Professor Heimerdinger is requesting... you.to assist me in my research." Said the man, in mild annoyance, as he placed the paper behind him, alongside with the many other unopened letters that laid strewn around the desk.

"What."

"Exactly."

Jayce reached for the letter, eyes scanning over the paper. It was true, Heimerdinger had assigned him to be an assistant in this man's research!...

"Who,... — What is your name?"

When jayce received this letter earlier this morning as he settled down in his office, alongside a scribbled note, he was simply told to meet here, in the classroom. No other instructions other than that... Which in hindsight, wasn't the brightest idea, but he was a man of progress and impulsive decisions, so ... Everything turned out okay.

From what he could surmise, whoever — Heimerdinger — told him to meet here wanted him meet this ...

The man looked up, his eyes strikingly amber now that he finally looked up... They seemed to analyze his every mood and expression to a tee. He wondered if he ever got tired, the way he could see him think. Jayce could see it on his face, that it looked like he didn't sleep well.

"Viktor. My name is Viktor..."

Jayce made a small nod, clasping his hands together, ready to introduce himself before the man continued before him.

"I already know who you are, Jayce." Said the ma— Viktor. Said Viktor. "You already know me, too." He added, scoffing to himself softly as he picked up a small book off the table, looking over his notes as he now twirled the full piece of chalk in his hand. "If I recall correctly, you just came back from your... "Leave of absence." From your ... Unethical studies of nanotechnology. Correct?— additionally, you already introduced yourself?"

Jayce's strong eyes immediately furrowed, his golden eyes narrowing slightly to defend himself before Viktor cut him off. Again.

"It's okay, although, it might displease you to know that I'm the one who did your paperwork... I'm the assistant to the Dean, if you recall." He said, as a small smile tugged on his lips, slowly handing jayce the book he had been observing.

Jayce finally spoke, picking up the book which he now recognized to be his... Something he wrote about in the beginning of his studies in technology medicine.

"I want to help people." He said, flatly, staring at the book with distain now, the reason he had been set back so far now. "I still think this is the way."

"It's too ambitious." Viktor said, before looking at the wall to wall of chalk he was staring at. Jayce blew out a small puff of air, crossing his arms but observant... Viktor saw the way his eyes soon flittered across the countless equations and concepts, like he understood them at a glance. "Regardless, Jayce, Heimerdinger has seen value in your work, related to mine... Perhaps you can help me after all." He said, standing forward to lean on his cane once more.

"What's the goal of all this?" Jayce inquired.

"We have similar goals. — To help people, as you say."

Chapter Text

"When's the last time you slept? Do you sleep here??? You're always here. — do you even have a room at the academy?" Jayce said, entering the room. Viktor watched as he held two plates of cafeteria food, but the prize winner he observed was the two cups of coffee that jayce handled on the trays.

Viktor stood from the rolling chair, leaning on his cane as he took a couple steps forward, but jayce met him halfway, holding out the tray of food.

"I'm not homeless, Jayce." He said, lowly chuckling to himself as he set the tray over the countless papers on the desk. Jayce reached over, idly organizing some of the paperwork into neat piles so he and Viktor could sit down and eat.

Viktor waited to set his plate down as Jayce tidied up his mess. Quietly, he thanked him, before sitting once more.

It had been a couple weeks since the two of them became partners due to heimerdinger. Jayce, to Viktor's knowledge, taught a class within the lower division during the day, before returning here in the evening, while he simply researched away. He had already completed his masters a while ago, and conducted his own research under the eyes of Piltover Academy.

"Science doesn't sleep." Viktor replied languidly, eyeing jayce over his cup of coffee as he observed Jayce drink his coffee black??? "— I have to ask. Did you... At least add sugar to that?"

"Hm? Oh, my coffee? No." Jayce answer, staring at the research Infront of him . He looked over to see Viktor shaking his head in a slightly horrified manor. Viktor then picked up the remainder ot the sugar cubes off the tray, before plopping them within his nearly white coffee. Now it was Jayce's turn to stare at him with a slightly horrified manor.

...

Jayce gave a light laugh. "Do you always drink it like that?"

"There's nothing wrong with my coffee, Jayce, only something wrong with you." Viktor replied, grinning with a shit eating smirk before he picked at his food.

"I'm taking offense to this."

"Good."

Jayce started on his food, watching Viktor pick through it. The meal consisted of rice and chicken, alongside some broccoli... Viktor began to gently pick out all of the broccoli, setting it aside on the plate.

He found it amusing that someone with such a cold demeanor was a bit childish — with overtly sweet coffee and not eating his vegetables.

"What?" Viktor inquired after a moment, noticing Jayce staring. Jayce shook his head in amusement.

"How does a genius like you not eat his vegetables?"

"I don't need a lecture on my eating habits." He replied, behind eating his rice and looking over his research as he did so. Viktor wore a black turtleneck today, so Jayce could deduce the fact that Viktor did actually have a home somewhere. A single hair fell between his eyebrows, carefully combed back but slowly undoing itself the more time went on. He also wore a pair of tweed pants. Overall, fairly put together. Viktor eventually looked away, realizing Jayce was staring at him for so long. He cleared his throat.

"Sorry." Jayce apologized after a moment, clearing his throat up as well, shoving some broccoli in his mouth and adjusting the dark red button up he was in, fixing his tie to have it not so against his neck.

"Mm. I forgive you." Viktor joked lightly, eventually scarfing down the rest of his food. Jayce meanwhile finished him at moderate pace. Before eventually standing up and gathering the dishes.

He then slid a hand over the paperwork, before pointing to an equation that Viktor was looking at.

"You didn't factor this."

Viktor abruptly looked up at him in bewilderment, before holding up the sheet to his face and squinting.

"Of course I've factored this equation. I'm not. ... ........" Viktor trailed off. "...Hm."

Jayce patted Viktor's shoulder.

"You should take a break?" He suggested, before moving to turn on one of the lights. Viktor shielded his eye in annoyance, sort of like a vampire. Or a recluse. Both of which he looked like...
In a nice way.

Viktor adjusted his collar of his sweater before placing his hands on the desk, obviously contemplating this, before standing.

"I suppose." He answered, setting the paper aside and standing up. Jayce offered him an arm, which Viktor reluctantly took before leaning on his cane once more.

"To the courtyard?"

"Yes."

---
The pair walked slowly to the courtyard, Jayce walking in pace with Viktor, chatting about his work in nanotechnology and nanoparticles. Viktor listened idly, staring at the long hallways that decorated the long halls of the academy.

The building was ancient, and reminiscent of a church with it's gothic decor of tall arched windows, stained glass, and tiled floors. What Viktor came to appreciate the most besides the bright hallways, was the amount of greenery around campus in which the botany students took care of. His favorite spot was the garden, which was a secluded spot in the back. Occasionally he'd sit there and read when he had free time, which was rarely.

"Do you live on the campus?" Jayce asked.

"I do have a home, Jayce." He reminded him, laughing softly to himself at the question. He seemed so insisting. "I live by the north wing, on the residency for the teachers."

"Oh!— I live on the third floor." Jayce responded in an excited manor. Jayce reminded him of an excited puppy, always happy and passionate about such miniscule things.

Viktor supposed to was kind of nice, actually.

As the two of them arrived to the courtyard, Viktor outstretched his cold hands in the sun, watching the rays flitter through, before sitting down on a stone bench and extending his good leg to relieve some pressure.

Jayce took a seat next to him, looking towards the sky between the shaded oak tree. It was somewhat around between noon and evening.

"Do you stay here for break? Or do you go home?" Jayce questioned, looking back at Viktor.

"I usually stay here." Viktor answered. "And you?" He chatted.

Jayce was glad their conversations were becoming less one-sided as time went on.

"I usually just stay here, watch bad TV shows if time allows it... Grade papers." Jayce said, before looking at the grass.

"You're lucky Heimerdinger finds you as one of his favorite students, most do not come back from expulsion. That, or your research really was quite good." He said, Watching Jayce idly rub his wrist with a frown at the mention. He wore a silver watch.

Viktor fell silent, before mirroring the pat he had received earlier from Jayce. He realized this might of been more of a touchy subject than he thought...

"I should attend one of your classes, Jayce!... Perhaps you can teach me something new."

"Believe me, I'm sure you understand Astrophysics." Jayce said. Viktor tilted his head.

"ehh... No, not really. I only have a masters in Theoretical Physics and Engineering. Couple bachelors here and there...you know?" Viktor lightly bragged, smirking lightly. "What's another one, hm?"

"I think I'd ather just give you my notes." Jayce replied, sitting up and looking up at the dappled sunlight of the old oak tree. He wondered if it was older than the school.

Chapter Text

It had been a couple days since their courtyard adventure.

"The instance of beginning of time can be referred to as t equals zero , t of course, being time, and zero referring the non-existent equilibrium of it existing. The truly only instance of time not existing within the entirety of the universes existence," Jayce explained, walking Infront of the board and explaining the first instances of the universe to the class of ten or so — most students had seemed to skip out today due to the fact fall break started tomorrow night.

Viktor watched from the back of the classroom —which looked far more lively than the abandoned one he had decided to make his personal lab office— in quiet fascination with the way Jayce decided to explain the origin of the universe. Cosmology, a subdivision to astrophysics.

It made the scientist wonder, why would Jayce ever find such a deep interest and fascination in his secret studies of nanotechnology.

Viktor, Of course, was only joking when he said he wanted another bachelor degree, but it did bring him some entertainment to watch Jayce's lectures. Viktor himself didn't teach at all, simply a researcher.

But he had plenty of education under his belt — in fact Heimerdinger had tried vehemently to get Viktor to teach, but Viktor wasn't particularly fond with crowds. At all. Definitely not fond of people, let alone with snotty snooty rich college students.

[A/N: me (not rich:( ).]

Viktor leaned against the doorway, watching Jayce turn back to his students, obviously not holding the same sentiment as Viktor, as he gazed at their faces with hope and passion.

"Each instance of light speed, the — oh is it time?" Jayce asked, glancing at the clock hanging in the back of the room. He clasped his hands, before gesturing to the door, momentarily pausing as he spotted Viktor standing in the doorframe wearing a bemused expression. He hadn't expected him to actually keep on his promise of attending class. He cleared his throat, once again talking to his students.

"Alright, class is dismissed. Remember, you just have the discussion board to post in!" Jayce called, watching the students file out the room as soon as they had opportunity to do so, albeit Viktor watched as one student seemed particularly interested in the lecture get surprised it was time to leave.

"No one posts in the discussion board." Viktor said, Walking slowly down the steps to the classroom after everyone filed out; naturally it took him a moment to descend, but by now it was second nature. Truly, he wished they had more accessible classrooms. But why would they build ramps? That costed money! that millions of dollars in tuition couldn't go to! Obviously!

"I'm surprised to see you out of your lair, Viktor!" Jayce joked, meeting him for the last couple of steps, offering him a brief arm to lean against. "And, I know, I usually just give them credit anyways."

"I told you I'd attend. — aren't you nice?"

"I didn't think you were serious. " Jayce said, smiling slightly as he supported Viktor, helping him lean against the desk, obviously delighted that Viktor kept true to his word regardless...

By comparison to Viktor's desk, his was much more neater... Which really wasn't neat... Just neat...-er.

"I supposed we could get our usual bad coffee from the cafeteria afterwards." Viktor offered while glancing around the room, observing the various nice lights around the area.

"The pure amount of caffeine and sugar you consume is enough... To cause for concern." Jayce told him while laughing, as he gathered his belongings. Viktor watched idly as some of Jayce's slicked back hair came undone as he ran a hand through his hair, before looking suddenly up with those alarmingly golden eyes of his. "What are you doing for the break, Viktor?"

"Ehh... More research, most likely. " Viktor answered, looking away immediately to instead tap his slender finger against a name tag. "Mr.Talis... Your full name is Jayce Talis." Viktor noted.

"Yes." Jayce said, looking up from rummaging through his desk drawers and shoving it in a black saddle bag he wore around his shoulder. He raised an eyebrow, before dusting himself off to signify he was ready. "What's your last name, Viktor?" He decided to question.

"Mm... Not important." He replied.

Jayce went to push further, but left if at that ; instead grabbing his elbow and leading him back up the stairs, causing Viktor to blink in surprise. Was Jayce always so...

Touchy?

"Just research? Do you ever take a break?"

"No... I do not. I'm deep within the cosmic origins of evolution. Very riveting —"

"Viktor, I help you with the research... You don't need to tell me." Jayce said, smiling in that dumb naive way he did.

Viktor rolled his eyes. "Yes, but when you explain your research I listen. " Viktor replied, in the crooked sort of miniature smile he did that Jayce noticed. "The least you could do is listen to my egotistical rants."

...

"You know, Viktor, we could actually go get good coffee for once, right?" Jayce said, absentmindedly and abruptly as the two of them once again walked the hallways.

Viktor gave pause in his steps, blinking once, before once again matching pace with Jayce like nothing happened. Viktor couldn't help but to briefly think...

Were they friends? When did this happen?

"Hm... Yes. I would actually... Enjoy that, I think." Viktor said, genuinely and thoughtfully as they walked on to the cafeteria after a moment of contemplative silence.

Jayce didn't seem to think rather much of it, so perhaps he was overthinking their partnership. Yes, Jayce most likely meant to conduct research over a nice cup of hot coffee. That was pleasant enough compared to the dark "lair" he liked to study in.

"Maybe sometime over the break. We have nothing better to do, after all. Well, besides the research."

...???

"Ah .... Right." Viktor replied, feeling more confused than before. The implications of nothing better to do meant that Jayce didn't want to research... Which most likely meant it was a regular "hang - out." So they were friends?

This was deeply troubling for the researcher as they arrived to the long deserted cafeteria.

The area was a long rectangular room, with plenty of smaller tables to sit around. Despite the older forms of the entire academy, the lunchroom was more modern, even equipped with a self service coffee bar.

Naturally, the two headed in the direction of the coffee bar. If course, Jayce decided then to hit him with the dreaded question.

"Did you eat?"

"Wha—" Viktor started, before looking up sheepishly as he poured an unnatural amount of sugar into his coffee cup.

Over the last few weeks... Well, perhaps it's been about a month now, Jayce figured, that his research partner hardly ever ate unless he was A. Forced to B. So hungry he got pains C. He brought him food. He didn't think Viktor did it on purpose necessarily... Rather he became so invested in his work he simply forgot his body needed basic needs.

Jayce gave a small amused puff of air at his lack of answer.

"Get me a cup, yeah? You know how how I like it, thanks!" Jayce said in a rushed way, before rushing off to the food service section. Viktor blinked owlishly, before looking at the second empty cup of coffee that seemed to spontaneously appear in his hand. He didn't even remember grabbing it.

Still he set his own cup down, before filling it with black coffee... ... Gross.

He then went back to making his own, filling it with milk, before finally coffee. By the time he finished, Jayce returned with a plate of pasta and bread, looking obnoxiously joyous as ever.

Viktor took the plate, deciding to thank him, before sitting down and slowly eating silently.

.............

Jayce sat Infront of him, observing his every movement and staring at him. Viktor bit back a sigh before asking him.

"Did you eat?"

"Yes, I had breakfast earlier." He said, still staring directly at him. Viktor looked down at his plate, feeling a little bad that he was eating Infront of Jayce, so he slowly ripped off a piece of bread, offering him the other half of the hunk. He wasn't sure if Jayce was staring at him or the food?

Jayce's eyes lit up, before he chewed on it happily.

..

Dog?

Viktor soon finished his plate, before sliding it to the side and working on his coffee. "Heimerdinger would like to check in on our research soon, after the break."

"And we have plenty to show for it! I wouldn't worry." Jayve answered, as optimistic as ever, smiling idly as he fixed his button up once more.

Viktor in comparison was wearing another turtleneck, finding it rather comfortable in the frigid temperature of the Academy.

"Usually I prepare an outline for him." Viktor told him, looking off to the side as he seemed to go deep in thought.

"I'll work on it, Viktor." Jayce offered immediately.

"No, No, I got it." Viktor promised with a wave of his hand, which caused Jayce to hesitantly nod, before finishing off his hunk of bread. He then gathered the plate silently, walking off to return it before returning to his friend who waited for him patiently.

"I should go back to my "lair." Have a good night, Jayce."

Jayce nodded a little hesitantly, before smiling and waving, taking it as a sign it was time to leave for nod.

"Have a good evening." He said, before patting Viktor's shoulder again. That seemed to be his favorite spot. Viktor blinked several times as Jayce walked away.

Maybe they were friends after all.

Chapter Text

"Viktor???... Viiiiktor?" Jayce called as he entered the research lab; the door was shut, and he knocked a few times before entering.

Hesitantly, he poked his head into the abandoned lecture hall, somewhat astonished yet relieved that it was empty for the first time he had partnered up with Viktor.

He blinked a few times, before walking down the steps, deciding to quickly grab his research notes while he was here.

He opened a drawer, momentarily pausing as he grabbed the white book that held all his notes, gazing into the drawer.

There was surprisingly nothing there, other than a pocket watch, a piece of chalk, and a pair of glasses.

Hm.

Did Viktor wear glasses?

He slowly grabbed his journal, flipping it a couple times, before looking at the chalkboard that was never erased unless Viktor ran out of room.

After some moments, jayce scribbled something down, before closing the drawer and walking back up the stairs.

As he walked, he mentally debated if he should Arrive at Viktor's room. Or would that be... Weird?

After some mental debate, he realized he had Viktor's number saved on his phone, deciding the appropriate thing to do was to text him.

---------------------------

Jayce Research Partner

Jayce Research Partner||: hey V! Coffee? I'm done grading papers

You||: V? Also, Sure.

Jayce Research Partner||: Sorry. Also, room number?

You||: Three, Floor One. See you soon, J.

---------------------------

Viktor closed his phone, munching away on danish.

...

It took him a second to realize, but he soon presumed that Jayce most likely tried to find him at the "lair" first.

Viktor stood up, looking around his apartment. It wasn't particularly messy, but it did have its fair share of books and laundry laying around.

Slowly, he picked up a thick sweater, tugging it on over his collared shirt he had already been wearing, before making his way slowly to the bathroom. Viktor leaned against the sink, staring at his reflection for a moment, before picking up a bone tooth comb and slowly combing his hair back; Except it wasn't cooperating the way he'd particularly liked due to fact he hadn't washed it yet.

So he opted to instead part it in the middle.

...

Viktor sighed in defeat. This was the best he could do today for now. Slowly, he carefully made his way back to the living room, before sitting on his couch and tugging on his shoes.

Just then, he heard a soft knock on the door. Ah, he was quick. Then again, Viktor realized he could probably walk faster than him, and that was annoying to think about, so he opened the door after he got his cane.

"Hi Vik!" Jayce greeted, smiling brightly. He was like... a bright sunny day. Obnoxiously so. Viktor almost wanted to shield his eyes. But then again, he was always really cold, and Jayce never really understood that he very much made his presence known in any space necessary. And no one could fault him, because he was A. Unaware B. Sickeningly sweet.

"What is... Uh ... With all the nick names." Viktor bemused, slowly stepping out of his room, watching Jayce's eyes first flick to his face, then his hair, then his sweater. He wasn't very subtle whenever he looked, Viktor blamed it on the fact his eyes were so... Golden. It was almost unnatural. "And, Hello, Jayce. Good afternoon." Viktor finally greeted after a moment, observing the sweater paired with a long jacket/coat Jayce was wearing.

Viktor made the note it might be colder than he thought. Still, he started walking, letting Jayce eventually match pace with him as he walked.

"I've finished the outline." Jayce suddenly said as they walked, causing Viktor to furrow his brow and stop in his tracks.

"I— you— " Viktor stared in disbelief, before Jayce touched his shoulder, effectively causing Viktor to fall in silence immediately.

"You deserve a break! It's fine. I'll show you after coffee. Let's just enjoy today together."

"You..." Viktor started, only to draw up blanks for arguably the first time In his life. He pinched his nose. Before exhaling — it's not that Jayce was in the wrong... it just caught Viktor so off guard he was at a loss for words. How could someone be so.... Nice yet —

"Thank you, Jayce." He concluded, while shaking his head. "You didn't have to. Please do not burden yourself on my behalf."

"You don't burden me, you're my partner. We're supposed to work together." Jayce then opened the door for Viktor as they stepped outside. "If you want, we could take my car?" He said after a few moments of silence to Viktor, now walking by his side as he observed the wonderful sunny day outside. Leaves were changing colors and there was a light breeze.It was a bit chilly, however, as winter had set it's sites for around the corner.

"No, I do not mind the walk. It's rather enjoyable today." Viktor answered. Jayce nodded in agreement abd the two began their short walk to the city.

Jayce pulled out a chair for Viktor as they sat just outside the shop. It didn't escape him that Viktor was in pain by the way he held his jaw carefully shut. Despite that, Viktor had never complained once. Jayce was fully mobile, so despite things like eating and drinking he could chastise his partner, he didn't know Viktor's limits about how far he could walk, and he wasn't about to police Viktor about it either.

Instead, he made the mental note to rest here long enough until his friend felt good enough to walk back.

Jayce then briefly walked away, before returning with a menu and sitting across from Viktor, Watching his friends get comfortable enough before extending his leg enough and exhaling softly to himself in relief.

Slowly, Viktor languidly picked up the menu, reviewing it carefully. Jayce meanwhile place his elbow on the black metal cafe table and propped his head up.

The cafe was pleasant enough, and it was a small local spot rather than ran by a chain. Him and Caitlyn used to come here as kids during the summer to get icecream... Briefly, he wondered how she was doing, the last time he recalled, she worked at the Piltover city hall now.

Just as Jayce thought about texting her, Viktor across from him pointed to the menu.

"This one sounds quite delicious."

Jayce leaned forward to look at the menu. "A signature butter pecan latte." He said, laughing slightly as he read it out loud.

"What? Do not patronize me, Jayce."

"No, no, I'm not." Jayce replied, snickering. "I just thought it was funny when I imagined you ordering it."

"And why is that??" Viktor said, scoffing slightly and playfully. "Can I not enjoy my frilly beverages in peace?, and I am not ordering, you are."

"Me???" Jayce answered back, incredulously, now laughing full heartedly. He was sort of glad they had chosen to sit outside now, as the two of them playfully bickered.

"Yes! You think I am going to order the signature pecan latte??? No! I am a man of high standard, Jayce!" Viktor exclaimed, throwing his hands up playfully.

Jayce abruptly snorted while laughing, causing Viktor to blink owlishly at him, before covering his mouth and laughing full heartedly too.

This caused Jayce to try and immediately stifle his laugh, just so he could hear it. It was almost too quiet to hear, but genuine and soft, light. Jayce subconsciously made the note to make his friend laugh more when he could.

"Alright, Alright! Fine, come on, let's head inside and we'll order, — god it's way too cold out here." Jayce said, offering Viktor a hand. Viktor took it with an amused smile, which Jayce noted it was definitely crooked.

"You are ordering." Viktor added, for good measure, causing Jayce to roll his eyes.

Viktor smirked victoriously, before leaning on his cane heavily as he watched Jayce walk up to a girl at the counter.

She had strikingly blue hair, braided in two long braids, busy working on pulling shots of an Expresso machine and jamming out to a speaker in the back to loud music. Several patrons sat at a bar, some classy while other more punkish... It took Jayce a couple times to try and get her attention, but eventually she turned around, hands on her hips.

"Yah? Oh it's you."

"Powder, hey, longtime no see." Jayce greeted, before telling his order and making idle conversation as she worked. Viktor turned his attention to look around, He noticed the various family pictures around the shop, a jukebox, and some Zaun memorabilia here and there of the wars. This cafe was on the cusp of both cities, so it was nice to see some remnants of his home represented.

After the wars, Zaun, his home, eventually got adopted by Piltover as one larger city, with its own Zaun councilmen.

Viktor turned his head over his shoulder just as "powder" set two cups down. One a latte, the other a cafe con leche.

"I see I've influenced you." Viktor joked as Jayce returned to his side.

"You didn't — this is the only coffee I can drink that isn't black." He said, before placing his hand on Viktor's elbow to lead him to a comfortable red booth in the corner. Jayce sat down across from Viktor , before setting their cups down

Viktor let himself be led, finding that he just sort of let himself whenever Jayce was around. That was something he should work on.

Viktor then looked down to his pants, pulling something out of his pocket. Then, without warning, he leaned against the table, placing his elbows on it as he came nearly face to face with Jayce. Before, placing something within Jayce's coat pocket, causing Jayce to blink in surprise and alarm before Viktor sat back down, sipping his coffee with a pleased expression, similar to a mischievous cat.

Jayce investigated silently, pulling out a small wad of cash.

"Viktor no,—"

"Viktor, yes."

Jayce stared at him, before silently resigning defeat while sitting down.

"I'll pay next time."

"Is there a next time?" Viktor asked, playfully, leaning his elbows on the table.

Jayce was learning his friend was much more sassy than he had ever expected, but it was rather welcomed.

"Of course there is. How else will you get you limited edition signature pecan latte, Vik."

Defeat!

Viktor shook his head, moving his gaze to the side.

"...You wound me."

.
.
.
.

The pair chatted for a while, mostly about conceptual physics, much to any passerbys dismays, but eventually the setting fall sun signified they should probably start walking back despite it only being the beginning of the evening.

Jayce walked alongside Viktor silently.

"I can't wait to see all the winter lights." Viktor said, absentmindedly and abruptly as they walked through the night of Piltover, Viktor gazed silently at the revealing stars as walked the well traveled path from Piltover's city to Piltover Academy.

He turned his gaze to the lake that was to the left of him as he walked, giving pause in his steps as he leaned against silver railing to stare at the water and the rolling boats in the distance.

It was a bitter cold night.

Jayce nodded in agreement, deciding to lean against the railing beside him. He had rarely seen Viktor lament on something so innocent as winter lights.

"I usually help my friend Caitlyn decorate city hall. — she's like my little sister. You two should meet." Jayce commented, staring at Viktor, who stared at the inky water below, his face illuminated by the dim lights of the faraway bridge in the distance.

Just as Jayce looked away, Viktor looked over. His silhouette was illuminated against the city lights and the skyline of Piltover.

"I usually just eat cookies and call it a night for festive season." Viktor said.

"Your sweet tooth is incurable." Jayce joked; causing Viktor to shrug lightly while smiling, before rubbing his hands against his arms as a cold breeze ruffled his hair and caused any remainder leaves from the trees to start falling.

Jayce stood up, before slipping off his outer coat, before placing it over Viktor's shoulder, much to his surprise. As he was enveloped in sudden warmth.

He vaguely smelt some sort of cologne ... Sandalwood and Vanilla.

Viktor looked up at him silently, his eyes staring at him with a mixture of confusion and gratitude, before his eyebrows knitted slightly. Jayce could see the gears turn in his head.

Jayce patted his shoulder affectionately, before beginning to walk along the sidewalk again.

"You should come over for the holiday."

Viktor opened his mouth to protest the sudden jacket around his shoulder, but instead, be pulled it closer around his shoulders silently.

When Viktor finally arrived back at Jayce's side, Jayce slowed down to a steady pace.

...

Eventually, the two of them arrived at the Academy once more. Jayce once again held open the door as he walked with Viktor back to his room.

"Your jacket." Viktor said, moving to shrug it off.

"Keep it, I was actually planning to donate that one." Jayce lied, pocketing his hands into his slacks.

"Mmm. Fine." Viktor replied, running his hands over the fine quality of the long coat in question, he pretended to act like he was debating this act of kindness. Secretly, much to his horror, he was quite smitten with stealing this coat quality was nice; it was warm. For some reason it smelled nice.

No other reason.

"Thank you Jayce... Ehh.. Jay. No— can't do it." He joked, pulling out his keys to open his door. "I apologize it's so late, you did not show me the research. I got carried away discussing with you." He said, looking down at his door as he opened it.

"I'll show you later, don't worry about it. Get some rest. Eat. Goodnight!" He said, waving to Viktor as he parted ways to the elevator at the end of the hall.

The researcher got half way through his door before making a horrified discovery, feeling the coat pocket.

...

The cash from earlier!.

Viktor quickly turned around and stepped into the walkway!— that sly dog! He must of knew, as he observed Jayce already in the elevator. Viktor rolled his eyes before stepping back into his room, sliding off the coat off himself.

He stared at it, before looking around his room, as if Jayce would suddenly appear there to judge him.

He pressed his face into it, just for a moment — indulging himself for just a moment — a second — the warmth and smell. Viktor then abruptly stopped himself and gently placed it over a nearby chair, before quickly raising his hands slightly in the air — like he just held something toxic. Horrified of his own actions.

Why did he do that..???

...

The researcher decided he did not time to delve into his psychology right now, opting instead to get a shower and call it a night.

Chapter Text

Viktor opened his book, his slender hands gesturing to the diagrams he had been dutifully discussing. 

Jayce stood by his side, staring at the Dean of the Academy himself, Mr.Heimerdinger.  He was a particularly short and stout man, with ginger hair and a ginger mustache to match, peppered in streaks with white hair from his age. 

"Well, boys! That's certainly an interesting theory." He said, flipping over the pages of the researchers work notes. "It seems I was right to have Jayce accompany you!"  He said, cheerfully; as he smiled to the two men standing in his office.

Viktor looked over, giving Jayce a small meaningful look, as to silently sat thanks, before continuing as he stared at Heimerdinger. 

"There's one more thing... If we have your permission to continue. We're interested in seeing the way photons can react to observation."

"And this relates to your study of origins how?" Heimerdinger questioned. 

"I have a theory that photons change properties upon being observed..." Viktor elaborated. This statement made Heimerdinger raise his brows, glancing at Jayce. "If that's so, it could change the way we view distant galaxies."

The two of them were on something, on the brink of something good. He then glanced back at Viktor, giving him a small nod as he looked down at the research Infront of him. 

"If this helps your studies, Viktor, then you may use the observatory, as well as this." The small man pulled out a giant ring of keys, before sitting through them. Then, he pulled it off the ring, and placed it softly on the book. 

Viktor picked it up, before looking at Heimerdinger inquisitively.

"The key to the Westside lab. Of course, West of here. Adjacent to the observatory.  As you know it's been long abandoned, so you might need to clean up some... But I find you might welcome the change from the abandoned classroom." 

Viktor's eyes lit up, but he remained otherwise silent as he nodded his head curtly.  Jayce eyes widened, before he stared quietly at the floor.

"Thank you, professor." Viktor told him, before clutching his hand. 

---

"He wasn't kidding." Jayce said, a few days later, as he opened the doors to a long abandoned lab.

Cobwebs laid in the corners, and thick blankets of dust laid on every surface. Despite all of this, Viktor seemed rather pleased with himself as he set his belongings down on a worn out desk. 

"My own lab." He told Jayce as he looked around. "And... it's yours too." He told Jayce, resolutely. 

At this, Jayce seemed to seemingly lit up, but seemed slightly  solemn. It was a nice feeling to know Viktor thought of him just as equal. They were partners in this. Jayce sat the remainder of the books and journals on the other side of the desk, gently tapping on the wood there. 

"I didn't realize how much our research fit together until I made that outline for Heimerdinger." Jayce said. "I guess he saw something I didn't." He said, before he used a finger to wipe the dust off the desk. "Should I call the custodian?"

"No, need be. I'll come in tomorrow to clean." Viktor answered, walking over to a chalkboard and wiping his hands over the dust that gathered there. 

"The laboratory was used for mechanical engineering students, when there was still a program for it here." Continued Viktor told Jayce, moving to slowly open the blinds on the wall facing away from the door. Jayce didn't answer him. 

Jayce then slowly walked to his side, standing aside him as the two gazed. 

"You can see the whole city here."

From here, Viktor had an excellent view of the bridge that connected former Zaun to Piltover, along with the rest of the bay. Since it was adjacent to the observatory, the lab was on the central tower of the academy. From below, he could see the bustling city, full of life. 

Jayce was about to chat more, when he noticed Viktor staring at the bridge... Again. He was silent for some time, before looking over again at Viktor, who had moved away from the window to close the blinds. 

He silently made the note that Viktor might have a history with that bridge.... He always seemed to stare at the boats. 

Jayce had always been hesitant to ask too much for Viktor. He seemed to be the type of person who was avoidant about his feelings. 

"Viktor, are you... From the other side?"

Viktor had just shut the blinds, now engulfed in darkness once again. 

"I am." He replied as he made his way to the desk, opening one of the drawers. Softly, he placed three items. 

A piece of chalk, A pocket watch, and a pair of glasses.He closed the drawer, before placing his hand on his hip, the other against the dusty surface. 

"I couldn't tell." Jayce said, absentmindedly, causing Viktor to furrow his eyebrows at him from the desk. 

"And what does that mean?" He questioned Jayce, immediately. Jayce immediately raised his hands. 

"Uh— you all are usually uh.... ... Rougher around?" He suggested meekly. 

This caused Viktor to roll his eyes, throwing a hand up in annoyance, but Jayce was quick enough to save himself before Viktor got too upset.

"I just meant — you know — people of Zaun faced a lot more different things than people like Me — and Caitlyn— or Mel." Jayce explained hurriedly.

Viktor opened his mouth, before moving that said expressive hand to his hip once more. Instead closing his eyes. I it had been anyone else, he would of said a lot more.

"You've saved yourself, no need to squander further." Viktor replied. 

Jayce looked visibly relieved. He was always a bit too sensitive to any or all rejection or upsetting anyone. Viktor had noticed that over the time they've spent together. 

"I grew up by the factories." Viktor said, walking to the window and opening the blinds once more to make a point. 

He then pointed across the water to what now was a powerplant. Years ago, it used to be a hot spot for the factories of Zaun. 

"My mother snuck me into the academy after seeing my inventions when I was sixteen or so — She told me to never speak about where I was from.... Eventually, Mr.Heimerdinger found out about me. But, he saw that my grades excelled, so he kept me here. And now, here I am, assistant and researcher. " He elaborated further to Jayce. 

Jayce eyes softened some as he gazed at Viktor. He really worked hard to get where he was, and he admired that. 

"And you?"

"My family comes from a long history of tool makers... I wanted to study, but getting into the academy was..." Jayce trailed off. "Hard." He went on.

"My father at the time... He was very sick. My mother after... I had been at the academy for years, using this— a lab— secretly for ..."

"Nanotechnology. You were trying to save your father with it.— is this?..." Viktor walked around in a small circle. Viktor wasn't present when Jayce got expelled, but he did do the extensive paperwork on him. 

This was the lab Jayce had conducted his research. 

"How ironic." Jayce replied, shaking his head. 

"And ... Your father? How did he fare?" Viktor questioned, slowly looking over before sitting in the dusty chair, slowly extending his leg just enough. 

"I got caught... Then the expulsion.... I.." Jayce started, before trailing off and staring at the window, holding his wrist to his chest. "Couldn't save him. Or my mother."  There was the softest quiver to his voice...

Viktor was quick to find himself stand up before he could think too much about it. Soon, he found himself back at Jayce's side, his hand hesitantly resting over his elbow, before it settled on his shoulder. It rested there, making Jayce finally look over, letting go of the silver watch.

Viktor's gaze was soft enough where Jayce knew he understood the pain he went through.

"Why don't we come back again tomorrow. Yes?" Viktor suggested, opting to get his friend out of this room for now. "A walk?"

Jayce nodded, feeling Viktor let go of his shoulder before he quickly adjusted his cardigan he was wearing, clearing his throat. It took Jayce a moment before he realized that Viktor had attempted to cheer him up by ... A pat on the shoulder, and a walk. 

The thought made him chuckle as he moved to fetch Viktor's cane, which rested against his old desk while supporting his friend by holding underneath his elbow. 

"What's amusing?" Viktor asked while moving to lean on his cane instead, looking more relieved now Jayce looked back to his old self. Did anyone realize the kindest man in the world tried to the most unspeakable action someone could attempt? 

"Your attempts to cheer me up was a pat and a walk. Do you find me like some dog?" He joked. 

"Apparently, you are. It worked, and you even play fetch." Viktor joked back, relaxing some now that jayce seemed more at ease. 

"... I have somewhere we can go, if you'd like. My own secret spot." Viktor suggested.

Chapter Text

"Here..." Viktor said, opening the old wooden gate; it looked as if it was falling off the hinges. The book

It was clear that this place had long foregone the touch of the botany students. Despite this, it looked unruly... But somehow taken care of. Like someone had taken the due diligence of watering and pruning dead leaves; a bit overgrown nonetheless. 

Viktor held open the gate for Jayce, as he took a step inside the garden, looking around in awe. 

It wasn't too big — only 14 feet across both ways length and width. [4 meters] . The ground was made from garden tiles, in which stubborn flowers still decided to grow in the cracks. Under a particularly old oak sat a wooden bench. 

Old rose bushes grew wildly out of control in the garden beds, alongside some wildflowers. The sounds of happy birds could be heard as they traveled to the old oak tree to the younger looking trees. 

Jayce moved to stand in the courtyard, just as Viktor took the time to sit on the old wooden bench. He yawned slightly into his hand, before looking towards Jayce as he explored the small space with great intrigue. 

He stared at the roses; they were various shades of red and pink, and smelled inherently intoxicantly floral. 

"Did you grow these?"

"What? No. Of course not. Does it look like I have that time?" Viktor replied, leaning back and pulling out a book out of the small messenger bag he carried, opening to a set page and placing it on his lap. 

Jayce took notice, slowly walking over at a steady pace as his boots made a soft clunk against the stone tile. He analyzed Viktor's face, realizing that he looked rather... Complacent rather than the concentrated look in his eyes he used when analyzing papers. 

He was reading, leisurely. 

Jayce placed a hand on the back of the bench before he sat down next to him, curiously investigating the book from a distance. 

Eventually Jayce scooted in closer, trying to subtly look at the pages... Eventually , when he was close enough, he began to read Alongside Viktor. From what he could read, the story seemed to be an old classic about a soldier in war, who appeared to be having an affair with a nurse over his wife at home... But on top of the man appeared to have an "intense" relationship with his lieutenant!

Jayce leaned slightly forward, causing Viktor's eyes to slide slightly over to Jayce, who seemed to be invading his personal space to try and read alongside him. He wasn't sure if Jayce even realized he was reading the book with him.

...

Quietly, Viktor moved his less cooperative leg over his good one, tilting the book slightly so Jayce could view it better. Jayce subconsciously scooted closer at the chance, their knees now touching as he stared intently at the page; easily captivated by the words. 

Even more quietly, Viktor flipped the page, resuming his reading, leaning back into the wooden bench... He never said a word, but read a little slower as the sounds of a peaceful garden washed over him.

...

...

As the minutes turned to an hour, Jayce realized the pages weren't magically turning anymore, suddenly realizing that his friend had stopped reading. 

His golden eyes blinked at the still hands, before glancing up at Viktor... To his astonishment, he had fell peacefully asleep while reading, his hair falling in his face as if he had just closed his eyes for a moment.

Jayce looked around, before checking the watch on his wrist. It was only noon, so he didn't feel the need to wake Viktor up. 

Slowly, he folded the corner of the page of the book, closing it gently and taking it from Viktor's hands. He didn't seem to startle awake, so Jayce slid off his coat before resting it on top of his friend. He was thankful Viktor had dressed warmer today in a turtleneck and cardigan rather than just his usual sweater. 

Jayce sat back some, staring peacefully at the garden. He could hear some sort of metal Windchime not too far away... It was quiet, and reflective. Jayce stifled his own yawns.

Jayce had no intention of leaving the sleeping Viktor behind, so he stayed put. With the time to contemplate, he looked back to Viktor.

He concluded several things... That Viktor was the closest friend he had now, second to Caitlyn and Mel. Jayce had many friends, as he was easy going... But no one had ever understood him quite as deeply as Viktor. They both viewed the world in a very unique way.

The researcher seemed currently at peace, like he was deep within the recesses of his mind... Jayce was worried any too loud sound would startle him awake. He knew very well that Viktor hardly slept, so he would stay with Viktor until he was back on his feet. 

Jayce closed his eyes, waiting patiently for his friend to awaken. 

...

...

He hadn't expected himself to fall asleep, woken awake by the man Infront of him staring at intensely. As Jayce blinked his eyes, Viktor immediately took a step back. Looking slightly alarmed. 

He found himself covered by two layers of draped coat. His own, and Viktor's brown cardigan. 

Jayce stretched, coming alive again before yawning slightly and rubbing his eyes. "V? Did I fall asleep?..." He asked, glancing at the sky, which was a soft pink. 

Oh, yes. He definitely did. How long was he out. 

"Oh - good- you're awake. I was about to wake you up." Viktor said, clearing his throat before setting his book into his bag while reaching for his cane. 

He gently tapped Jayce's foot with it.

"I do not understand why you didn't wake me from my slumber.— I did not mean to —"

"Because you're tired. — You look tired. " Jayce interrupted, staring up at Viktor with through half lidded eyes and a very sleepy voice, arguably really pretty under the sky that was beautiful out. 

Viktor silently stared at him for a period of time that was almost questionable before gently tapping his foot again with his cane. 

"Ow..."

"Come on. It is getting dark." He mumbled, turning on his heel and waking away. "I can't believe you dog-eared my book, Jayce. This is a classic, and you folded the corner —!" He complained, walking away already. 

"Viktor, wait!" Jayce whined, frantically getting up and gathering his belongings hurriedly. 

"You can catch up!" Viktor called from the distance. "You have two legs, use them."

———

"Did you enjoy the book?" Viktor asked, holding the said book within his hands, now covered in his and Jayce's coat. 

"I did! I never really had time to read the classics growing up. No one told me they were actually good."

"This one's from overseas. I think it's a good reflection in human hubris." Viktor chatted, finding this sort of conversation rather... Pleasant. He supposed not everything had to be research related with Jayce. 

"When do you plan on reading more?" Jayce questioned? Opening the door to his room, standing in the doorway. Viktor seemed to glance behind him, catching the glance of soft lights and plants, along with various tools. 

Of course, it didn't escape him. 

Nothing, annoyingly, escaped Jayce's overly observant eyes. He opened the door a little bit wider. 

"You can come in if you want." Jayce said. 

Viktor hesitated,— "—ah, no... I shouldnt... I have to feed my ...... ... Fish.." —which Jayce noticed too. Viktor couldn't hide his curiosity even if he wanted to... before Jayce walked over and wrapped an arm around Viktor's shoulder and led him in. 

"Come onnn! It's okay."

He then used his other hand to gesture around his room. The aforementioned room had a festive tree in the corner, decorated in lights. Additionally, besides the festive decorations, there was a large green couch in the middle of the room. The kitchenette nearby had various tools of Jayce's family hanging on the wall. On the nice wooden table that sat in-between the living room and kitchenette was candles of various colors, looking like they had been previously lit. 

"You really like the holidays." Viktor said, genuinely; as his eyes sparkled in joy as he gazed at all the various lights. He had always wanted a "real" Christmas. A secret fantasy of his. Growing up poor, they had to make do. 

Slowly, Viktor set the book down on the table, letting himself get enveloped by the comfortable atmosphere as he took a couple steps around.

"Go ahead and sit on the couch, I'll get us something to eat." Jayce said, cheerfully. "And take off your shoes, don't drag mud." He joked from the kitchenette. 

Viktor sighed to himself, wondering how he even got into this situation, before kicking off his loafers and flopping on the nice couch and exhaling as he gently rested his leg outwardly. 

"Is Ropa Vieja okay? I have leftovers." Jayce called from the kitchen. 

"...What is it?" Viktor questioned, moving to scoot to the arm of the couch to stare at him from the living room over the corner...

"It's shredded beef in sauce." Jayce explained briefly, feeling the more he explained to Viktor the more he'd judge. No offense to Viktor, but he knew him to be picky. 

Viktor hesitated, before shrugging. "I'll try anything once..."  He sighed begrudgingly. 

After some silence, Jayce returned, sitting down beside him once more, their knees once again touching. Viktor didn't seem to mind at his proximity as he held two plates. 

He handed him the plate, a small amount of the Ropa Vieja alongside some Cilantro Rice.

"I won't be offended if you don't like it. I have some frozen chicken strips too." Jayce said, causing Viktor to snort as he investigated the food thoroughly, before slowly taking a bite. 

...

Viktor closed his eyes as he chewed, letting out a small and pleased noise. Satisfactory. 

Jayce grinned, elbowing him playfully. "By the time I'm through, you don't be picky anymore!"

"I'm not picky."

"Yes, you are. You can't even eat vegetables, and you don't like the. "Texture" of Mushroom." Jayce answered while grinning. 

"Okay, well..."

................

Viktor just took another stubborn bite instead, before laughing slightly when Jayce did. As the two finished, Viktor set his plate aside on the table, now comfortable enough to do so. 

"Is it okay if we read more?" Jayce asked, setting his food aside as well.

"Only if you promise not to fall asleep." Viktor replied, smiling to himself slightly as he pulled out the book from his bag on the floor. He looked at Jayce through the corner of his eye, the amber honey reflecting the lights from the tree.

He opened the page he had left on; his thumb flicking the corner idly as they playfully bickered. 

"May I remind you, you fell asleep.," Jayce replied, causing Viktor to furrow his eyebrows playfully as he smiled. Now this close, he spotted the little gap between Viktor's teeth whenever he smiled. it was charming. "First." 

"... I don't like your attitude, Jayce." He joked, before looking down at the pages. Jayce rolled his eyes in an amused manor. 

"You must like it if you're still here." Jayce answered, slowly placing his hand on Viktor's shoulder as he leaned in to read the book.

Chapter Text

Viktor wasn't sure when, or how, and especially how he got in this situation. As he learned that was just the case whenever he was with Jayce.

Jayce just had a way that made him abandon all of his reasons, factual responses, and reservations right out the window.  

He needed someone to explain to him his he had effectively gotten trapped on Jayce's couch? As he recalled,...

The two of them had been reading for a while, side by side. Eventually, Jayce had leaned back against the arm of the couch in a laying position, causing Viktor to turn to face him in a way that he could still read the book — sandwiching himself between the couch and Jayce — obviously too entranced himself in reading to notice as he was an upright position. 

Eventually, Jayce rubbed his eyes. 
"I can't see very well." He mumbled, causing Viktor to look over at him. He scooted back, now sitting beside him while leaning against the pillow holding the book in his lap quietly. 

The next time he looked over, Jayce had fell asleep.

Viktor gave a resigned sigh, closing the book and resting his head on his knee. Annoyingly, he didn't have the heart to leave him alone. He wondered when he had began holding affection for Jayce. 

He was a good friend, with a good heart... Hd really did just want to help people. It didn't slip past the researcher how much better he had been feeling lately around Jayce, with his annoying but helpful reminders to take breaks and eat. Jayce just wanted a friend, he surmised. Viktor lacked them. 

A compromise, he supposed, like currency. 

Viktor pillowed his arms under his head, staring at Jayce. He supposed it was his turn to help take care of him in the same way Jayce did... But he wasn't sure how. His whole life he had taken care of only himself. Welcoming Jayce in into his world was simultaneously terrifying as it was comforting. 

Right now he supposed it was both. 

Viktor reached over, placing his hand into Jayce's soft hair, momentarily processing His own actions. Staring at him silently as Jayce seemed deeply asleep. He reached over to the back of the comfortable green couch and grabbed one of the throw blankets, tucking it over Jayce's shoulders, causing him to shift slightly in his sleep so his head rested on his own shoulder.

He then opened his book, debating about continuing it, before sighing in defeat and closing it once more. No doubt Jayce would be annoyed if he continued without him now. Viktor memorized the page he left off on, before closing the book once more, sitting it on the back of the couch. 

...

Now he was trapped. 

Damnit, Jayce. The things he did for their friendship. 

Viktor affectionately patted his head once more, messing up that annoyingly slick back hair of his. It was surprisingly soft. He also noticed that Jayce hadn't shaved in a while. It looked good. Not that he cared that it looked good or anything, he was just observing. ...

..,,yes.

Viktor removed his hand quietly. Before staring at the window adjacent to the couch. He could see the starlight from here, and Viktor couldn't help but wonder what time it was. 

Defeated, and annoyed about his lack of will, he laid down aside Jayce, finding this was quite comfortable after all... Viktor had never been this warm in his life. 

He closed his eyes, letting himself drift off to sleep, only to awaken when he felt a strong arm wrap itself around his stomach to pull him closer.

Viktor immediately tensed up, his eyes flying open as he processed what happened, finding not only his heart pounding but his face hot. No. Nope. Viktor moved to cover his chin with his turtleneck, feeling a hot breath on his neck as Jayce had pulled him close. 

The worse part was the fact Viktor found his brain completely short-circuit on itself, unable to form any cohesive thoughts other than the fact he could feel the weight of Jayce's arm, his hot breath, the way his breath got more labored as he fell into a deeper sleep, how soft he felt. 

And he knew, realistically, andu Subconsciously, he could leave if he wanted to. 

And he didn't. He didn't want to. And Viktor found that hard to process. Because for once in his life, he felt safe. In someone else's arms. 

This would ruin him.

--••--

Jayce woke up to a buzzing in his pocket. Yawning slightly before pulling his phone, briefly looking at it before glancing at the time.

9:30... Hmm...

Jayce rested his head on his very comfortable pillow, feeling said pillow softly breathing. It smelled vaguely of coffee, cinnamon, and cedar.

And all at once did Jayce realized two things. 

One, — he was HORRIFICALLY late to work, as he stared at four missed calls from work, and two from Caitlyn. The other? — His very comfortable pillow was Viktor— Who was fast asleep with his arms tucked to his chest.  Jayce would be lying if he said Viktor looked cute like this. Not ... That... You know. ,,, yeah.

He sighed, rubbing his face with his hand as he collected his thoughts. poor Viktor; he hadn't meant to fall asleep on him... But lately he had been so tired due to the cold that he just felt all around exhausted. teaching ontop of all the research was particularly draining. 

He started by covering Viktor up properly with the blanket — ...
At that thought, he realized Viktor must of covered him with a blanket at some point in his sleep. Somehow, that put him at ease. 

He texted Caitlyn first; she was most likely worried if she had gotten notified. After all, he had put her down as an emergency contact. Jayce had never missed a day of work since he returned. Very few people knew of his... Situation. 

-----------------------
Sprout 🌱

————7:30am————
Sprout: where are you??? They tried calling me? I'm a little busy with this investigation.

————9:10am————

Sprout:  Hey, are you okay? Do we need to talk? Hangout?

Sprout: I'm coming over. You usually don't sleep in like this.

————9:35am————
You: No! I'm okay. I wouldn't come over.  I overslept.

Sprout: you saying that is not helping your case, I'm coming over.
-----------------------

Just as he was going to explain he had company and overslept, he knew that Caitlyn had to be close. So for fear of waking Viktor up, he got up quickly to the door and opened it. 

There stood Caitlyn, just about to knock who blinked in surprise. Quickly, he stepped out of the room, causing her to step back.

Jayce closed the door behind him as soft as he could.

Caitlyn had dark blue hair and a pair of eyes to match, staring at Jayce with confusion. She wore a black sweater, and her hair was tied up. Jayce could tell she just left work. 

As she saw her friend, in rumpled up clothes and a bit of a red face she assumed the worse. "Jayce! What are you doing?" She asked, picking up his hand and quickly surveying him before looking up at him with an analytical answer. 

"Shhh—" he told her in a low whisper.  

"Wot. Why???" She immediately inquired, but still did as she was told, before her blue eyes scanned his face. "Are you okay??? You've never missed work except — and I know you get sad during the winter —" 

"I know— I know. It's not like that, though. I just — I have someone over and I just—" 

Caitlyn immediately gave pause. Before pointing to his chest. 

"It better not be Mel. Look, I know you guys are still friends but you better not take her back Jayce— she used y—" 

"Shh!— it's not Mel." He yelled whispered, blocking the way she reached for the door. Caitlyn gave pause, before visibly relaxing.  "A-and it's not like that."

She crossed her arms while looking at her brother figure. "... alright. Explain."

Jayce vaguely gestures for a solid second before rubbing his chin. "Remember, my research partner....?" He told her quietly. 

"... Hardly. Why?" She asked, blowing her bangs out of her face impatiently, shaking her head at how disheveled Jayce appeared. "So you slept with someone and now you're missing work?" She said, rolling her eyes and laughing slightly. Sarcastically.  "Sounds familiar... Look, you know I'm worried about you. You sure you don't need to talk?" 

"It's not like that— " Jayce repeated, his face a bit red as he continued to explain. The blushing didn't pass Caitlyn. "He's my friend. And, we like to read together, and I fell asleep — that's it." He said, leaving out the fact he curled up to Viktor and had a dream about... Jayce cleared his throat.

"...He?" Caitlyn said while raising her eyebrows. 

"Cait."

She threw her hands up. "I'm not judging you at all. It's, just...  But, you know, not everyone falls asleep with anybody." She told him, causing Jayce to blush further while he pocketed his hand into his pants and looked away.

Then, he placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her around and walking to the door. 

"Stop it." 

"I'm just telling you— I haven't seen you this red in a while, maybe you like this g—"

"Cait." He repeated, feeling himself burn up. 

"— Are you sure reading together wasn't a ploy to get you in the same place? I mean, I don't know you might be Bi Jayce —"

"I don't know what you're talking about —Don't you have that thing with Violet tonight?"

"Shut up."

"If I remember this is part of your big investigation of the shimmer distribution — but you two are... What? Meeting for coffee?"

"Have you two met for coffee?"

...

"Cait." Jayce said in an annoyed manor, as she laughed before turning around. Caitlyn gave him a brief hug, before smoothing out his shirt.  

He visibly relaxed, hugging her back just as tightly. 

"I'm glad you're okay... Maybe take the day off. You look pretty tired, misfit." She told him, staring into his golden eyes. "And shave. Your beard is growing.— Seriously though, Jayce... I'm here if you need anything." She told him, squeezing his shoulder before walking down the stairs. 

"Call off work!" She called. 

...

Jayce watched her descend, before exhaling and turning back to his apartment, face red as he tried finding a way to apologize to Viktor. In the meantime, he took Caitlyn's advice to make a short phone call to excuse his absence. 

When jayce entered again, his gaze softened as he stared at the sleepy Viktor who was sitting up and curled up to the arm of the couch. His hair a mess, and for the first time instead of styled, simply laying straight. Jayce found that he might prefer it that way.. not that... It mattered or anything he was just observing 

"Sorry— Viktor." Jayce apologized, watching the researcher as he pulled his blanket closer, stifling a yawn. Viktor didn't answer, instead, he flopped sideways on the couch, curling into a ball. 

Jayce exhaled some, laughing breathlessly.

Apparently he wasn't much of a morning person. 

"I'll... Uh, Get us some coffee." Jayce said, while walking into the kitchen to do so; making Viktor's with cream and sugar. "I decided to not teach today, so, feel free to stay as long as you want."

The voice that responded was deep and melodic, causing Jayce to almost pour hot coffee over his fingers.  He cleared his throat as he recalled Caitlyn's conversation, just a few moments ago...

"... Thank you, Jayce."

Jayce cleared his throat.... Right. Stay focused. 

"You're telling me you've had a coffee machine... This whole time?..." Viktor complained sleepily and suddenly.

"The cafeteria is closed to the lab." Jayce answered in an amused manor smiling softly as he walked over and handed him a hot mug. "It's hot. Carefull."

Viktor sipped on it, seemingly coming back to life with each sip. He then closed his eyes in a content manor. He hadn't slept like this in ages. He felt rather refreshed and warm. 

"You were tired... Why didn't you tell me?" Viktor asked, slowly looking over.

Jayce gave a light shrug. "I— I've just been tired for so long I didn't think about it."

"You said you're off today?"

"Yes."

"Good. Rest." Viktor told him, as Jayce sat next to him slowly and hesitantly. Much to his surprise, he noticed that Viktor didn't pull away, but rather rested his difficult leg against Jayce's. 

"You're not upset?"

"I ,unfortunately, find it difficult to do so." Viktor replied as he stared into his coffee cup, his brown hair falling pass his ears and into his eyes. 

Jayce bumped knees with him gently. 

"Also, you snore." Viktor added. 

Chapter Text

Viktor walked into the familiar lab, books in hand. Surprised to find Jayce already there, his head in his hand as he looked over a sprawl of papers... From the doorway, Viktor could see his tense shoulders. 

His partner seemed so concentrated, he didn't seem to even acknowledge his presence until he walked over and placed a hand on his friend's back. 

Jayce jumped a little, looking over and sighing some in relief as he realized it was just Viktor. 

"You scared me." Jayce told him while exhaling slowly. 

"If you couldn't hear me and my cane, perhaps you're working too hard." Viktor teased, lightly, as his hand rested on Jayce's back. He reached over to investigate the papers he was working on. Viktor then looked out the window, finding it was snowing.  "You should take a break."

Viktor had realized that Jayce didn't do well in the cold.

He then looked back at the papers. It seemed like Jayce had been grading finals for his class, and as he looked at the pile Infront of him, Viktor pulled up a seat, before wincing as he sat down and sucking air through his teeth. 

Jayce took notice, turning in his chair to face Viktor immediately. He knew Viktor often didn't complain of pain, although it was obvious to jayce he was in it. To hear him audibly hiss when he sat made Jayce worry. 

"Your leg... Is it hurting you?..." He questioned, softly, placing his thicker hands on Viktor's knee; softly.

The action made Viktor immediately grab his wrist, making Jayce blink in surprise when Viktor inhaled sharply. Gently, he let go of Jayce's wrist, before quietly apologizing. 

"No, I'm sorry. —I didn't think— ... I'll take that as a yes." He answered himself, before staring at Viktor's leg. Quietly, Jayce scratched his chin. 

"I.. I've been thinking could make you a brace." Jayce suggested, causing Viktor to blink. He didn't answer at first, before picking up a pen off the table to begin grading papers. 

After a while of silence, Viktor answered. "I appreciate the gesture, but that would require a lot of time and effort." He told Jayce, finishing a paper before setting it aside and coughing softly into his elbow. 

Before picking up another one. "It's already obvious you have a lot on your plate, Jayce. I'd get my own, but as you know medical supplies are unnecessarily expensive... Especially the reliable ones." 

"But, I can tell you're in pain." Jayce said, staring at him with soft enough eyes that it made Viktor almost want to tell him to do what he want. Still, he didn't relent. "I really don't mind. I want to help you."

"I'm okay, Jayce. Focus on yourself." Viktor answered, looking over and setting his pen down, looking away and pressing another couch to his elbow. 

"I used to work with metal, I can do this. I can tell— you put too much weight on your knees. Just... Let me do this one thing for you." Jayce pleaded, steadily breaking down Viktor's resolve. Those golden eyes seemed to be a vital weak spot for Viktor as he looked over.

Viktor rubbed his face, before looking at his knee, looking like he was visibly upset at himself that he had showed an ounce of pain. His jaw clenched so hard Jayce could see it. 

Jayce reached over, touching his shoulder, seemingly reading his mind. 

"Viktor... I don't think you're weak for needing something to help you stand. You need this. It was just a matter of time. And, if I can save you the long effort now."

Viktor looked away, folding his arms and hiding his hands within himself. He shook his head quietly; a brief look of exhaustion flashed on his face. 

"Everyday I feel... Like my body betrays me, Jayce." 

Jayce didn't answer, only because for once, he didn't know how to. Instead, he placed his other hand on Viktor's shoulder, squeezing it. "I'll be here." He answered, instead.

Viktor nodded solemnly, before looking over at him slowly. 

"Fine. You can... What do you need from me?" Viktor finally said, clutching his jaw.

"just need some measurements. Next time I go home I'll make you the brace. Sounds okay?" Jayce said, smiling some as he searched Viktor's face. Viktor searched his right back. 

In Viktor's eyes, he saw that sunny optimism. The look Jayce made as he wanted to help everyone and and anything. 

In Jayce's eyes, he saw the way Viktor was reluctant to trust him with such an important issue to him, but seemed to trust him regardless.

"As for now, just sit down. If you need anything, just tell me." Jayce said, before looking at the snowy window. 

Viktor followed his gaze, before looking back at Jayce. Silently moving on to a third paper to grade, only the sound of his scribbling could be heard as he moved on to the next paper silently. 

Jayce moved to do the same. Eventually, the two finished, before Viktor attempted to stand up once more, with some effort, only to fail and resign himself for a bit to his seat. 

Jayce looked over looking up at him with soft eyes, meeting Viktor's. Gently, he reached over, placing his hand on Viktor's cheek. He wasn't really sure why, but it felt like the right thing to do.

His palm was soft, but he could feel the rough calluses on Jayce's fingers. Viktor subconsciously leaned his face into it, closing his eyes and exhaling through his nose slightly.

The action caught Jayce off guard, as he stared at Viktor slightly dumbfounded. This was out of character for him. But, Jayce didn't pull away... Obviously, he liked the feeling. 

"Do... You need a hug?" Jayce asked, genuinely, as he pressed his other palm to Viktor's forehead... He frowned deeply, feeling that Viktor was infact burning up with a fever. He supposed that would explain Viktor's pessimistic demeanor the last couple of days... And now this. 

"... Viktor, you have a fever." Jayce told him; watching his researcher open his eyes and pull away; instead leaning against the counter and staring at the papers on the counter from his seat. 

"You don't think I know that?" Viktor answered.

"Then why are are you here?" Jayce asked, scooting to sit next to him, watching Viktor place his head in his hand, remaining quiet for a while. He either didn't know how to answer or didn't have one...

Viktor supposed he just wanted the company in the end. He slid over a paper to himself; one of the research related ones. 

At the lack of an answer, Jayce found himself grabbing Viktor's shoulder and squeezing him. 

"Come on." He demanded softly, causing Viktor to look up in confusion. Still, he slowly stood up; pushing himself up with his all his might cane before leaning against the counter, a little out of breath. 

"You're sick, let's go back."

"Jayce, I'd rather do this then sit in bed." Viktor replied.He stared at Jayce with an annoyed gaze, causing Jayce to sigh at how stubborn Viktor could get. He couldn't blame his friend. 

At the lack of agreement, Jayce moved to sit Viktor back down; placing two hands on either side of his shoulders and pushing him right back on the seat below. In turn, Viktor made the softest gasp in response; obviously not expecting Jayce to be this direct with him. 

"Fine, but I'm taking care of you."  He told him. 

!!!

"I— you." Viktor replied, astonished. He wasn't sure how to exactly feel about this development— Jayce's firm gaze and hands. Yet so fondly gazing at him. He threw his hands up.  "Jayce."

"Viktor."

Viktor squinted at him. "I am fully capable of taking care of myself!" He argued. Still Jayce did not relent with the firm hand on his shoulder. "I'm not useless, and I am not a child!"

"You don't think I know that Vik?" Jayce said, genuinely. "I never said either  of those things." Staring down at him as his other hand gently touched the side of Viktor's face again. "But here you are, pushing yourself to your limit, again, and yet you have not complained a single time — in the entirety I have known you, you have never, ever, complained." 

At the... Praise? Scolding? Viktor remained silent, but looked up at Jayce silently, placing a hand on his forearm, before shaking his head in thought. 

"The least you can do is to let you, let me, help you." Jayce said, holding Viktor's face now. "Let me take care of you right now."

"Why?" Viktor answered, leaning his head into Jayce's strong hands, finding himself somewhere between tired, annoyed, and resolved. "...Why are you so insistent to take care of me?" 

"Because, Viktor, you're my partner." Jayce answered, genuinely. "For all the pain you've kept quiet about, I promise I'll make it just a little bit easier. You're my best friend."

"I don't understand." Viktor closed his eyes, fully leaning his head into Jayce's hands... "I'm not worth the—"

"You're worth everything, Vik."

"...It's hard work."

"That's never stopped me before." Jayce answered — ready to stop any pessimistic words before they got foo far from Viktor's mouth. 

Eventually, after some back and forth, he seemed subdued... Maybe even falling asleep in Jayce's hands. 

"... Vik, stay here while I work." Jayce asked, gently letting go of Viktor's face as he muttered something in a disgruntled agreement. Jayce guided him to lean against the desk, soon covering him up with his coat once more. 

After some silence, Jayce rested his hand on Viktor's shoulder affectionately. 

At least he got him to rest. He seemed so determined not to seem inferior or weak. How could he tell Viktor he saw him not only as equals, but his dearest friend?

Maybe Viktor already knew that, and this was some sort of self sabotage. He didn't know. Jayce wished he could see the way Viktor's mind worked...

Jayce sat in the other chair, beginning to quietly go through research as he heard soft breathing next to him. Good, at least he was sleeping.

He reached over, sighing in relief at the mess next to him buried under his coat once more... And he couldn't help but to reflect. 

He did insist on taking care of Viktor... But the more he thought about it, the more he realized Viktor took care of him too. Just less directly. ... Viktor would remind him to rest, to eat, to take breaks... Cover him whenever he got cold. Turn his book towards Jayce so he could see better...

And sometimes, they'd share this look — completely silent, but they both could read each other easily that no words would sometimes be needed. 

Jayce grabbed his own face with his free hand, slowly letting his hand fall down his face as he recalled what Caitlyn told him. Again. For the fifth time this week. 

...

Maybe he had feelings for Viktor that went above just friendship. 

...

Jayce nearly had a heart attack at the idea. 

Whaaat... No... They were just... Really close friends! ... Really close. Close enough where they saw each other almost everyday for almost  three months and were just physically closer than the average person. ...

Oh. 

Jayce immediately pulled out his phone. 

--------------------
Sprout 🌱 

Misfit: Hey. We should hangout soon. I need some advice. 

You: Sounds good. The usual spot? 

Misfit: Yes. 

You: When would you like to meet? 

Misfit: Probably tomorrow. A little busy tonight. 

You: sounds good. See you then.
--------------------

Caitlyn stared at her phone, tapping away, before she felt the warm body next to her start to stir from her sleep. 

She gave a mighty stretch, before draping an arm over Caitlyn's waist, staring at her worried expression as she set her phone down. 

"What's up?" 

Caitlyn slowly turned to face her girlfriend, Violet. "Oh, it's Jayce. He texted me saying he needed to talk." She said, staring down at Vi as she moved to press her face into Caitlyn's neck. 

"You get so worried over him." Vi said, placing a soft kiss to her girlfriend's neck before sitting upright slowly and stretching again.

Caitlyn reached up slowly to run her slender fingers through Violets hair, sitting up at well.

"Alright, I won't pester you about it." She said, lightly, while grabbing Violet's chin and making her look at her. "For now, I have some very important case I need to work on..." She said, smiling as she stared at Violet's lips. 

... It flew right past Vi. 

"I thought we were taking a break from the case???—"

"Vi, I love you, ... you're the case."

"..."

 "..."

"OH!" 

Caitlyn abruptly bursted out laughing, causing Vi to playfully shove her away and onto the soft bed. "*Snort.* Oh my god!—" 

"Don't laugh at me!" Vi whined while laughing too, before crawling over her and pulling her into another kiss.

Chapter Text

"Good afternoon, sunshine." Caitlyn said, pulling out the chair to the coffee shop. She had a particularly glowing atmosphere that made Jayce want to cover his eyes.

"You look... Chipper." 

He hadn't seen Caitlyn so... Well rested, as she sat down. 

At the table, sat two cups. It was obvious Jayce knew her order. After all, they had been friends for so long that he had known her usual. 

Jayce started up at her with unfocused eyes — a comparatively 180° look to his friend.

"I have a problem." Jayce said, staring at her and folding his hands as he leaned forward.

Caitlyn sat across from him, crossing her legs. 

"Alright, shoot." She spoke, looking over at the obnoxiously loud barista as she hummed along to another loud punkish song. She thought she'd be used to powder by now... But Caitlyn particularly despised anything too loud... especially when she talked.

She sighed and resigned to herself. She couldn't even say anything due to the fact it was her girlfriend's sister now...

"Let's sit outside." She said, while getting up to do so. 

Jayce agreed, albeit reluctantly. "It's cold."

"This is horrible." Jayce complained as they sat outside, shivering from the cold before trying to sip on his hot coffee. 

Caitlyn drank her macchiato with no complaints. 

"I think you're just a big baby. It's not even that bad today." She said, before looking at jayce with a small look of concern as she adjusted the patch on her eye. "Anyways ... your problem?" She asked, tilting her head so her long dark hair spilt over her shoulder. 

"Uh. Right. .... So... ,,, How did ...,,,, .... You know." Jayce started, looking at his coffee cup. His voice; quiet. 

"Know....? Know what?" Caitlyn asked, raising her eyebrows at this conversation. She had a feeling she knew what Jayce was referring to. She hadn't  expected this type of conversation— rather a talk of Jayce's seasonal depression.

",,,, The... Uh... ... — you know. Know. That...You ... ,, liked girls." Jayce said, clearing his throat and looking away. 

This caused Caitlyn to laugh. She knew Jayce was referring to being interested in the same gender..., but it just sounded like he was talking about being with a women out of context. 

"Well, you see... When a man and a woman —"

Caitlyn started to joke, staring at her Coffee in amusement as she stirred the coffee into the milk with her straw. 

"Caitlyn — that's not what I meant— please don't —" Jayce pleaded.

Caitlyn giggled at her essentially brother's struggle to identify his feelings. 

"Alright, you mean... Men, I'm assuming? Someone of the same gender? " She elaborated. She watched Jayce sink into his seat as he nodded meekly — trying not to think about a certain someone too much. 

"It's... Honestly , Jayce, very confusing." She told Jayce, smiling some. "More confusing then if it was in a "regular" relationship. Because you have to... Figure out of the other person swings your way... And then after that you have  to figure out if you're even compatible after that... But... I won't lie to you, after that, it's a kind of love that you won't forget." Caitlyn said, looking up at her friend, smiling softly as she thought about Violet, sitting at home waiting for her. "so... Is it the same person that you had in your room a couple days ago?"

Jayce was listening intently, sipping on his coffee before essentially almost choking on his coffee as she mentioned  Viktor. Instead, he spilt it on his fingers, causing him to nearly drop it. 

"whAT nO." He said, through a series of coughs as he tried coughing up his coffee. 

Caitlyn, meanwhile, was no help as she watched Jayce flounder and fumble around as she laughed. She then handed him a napkin.

"That was, very convincing! Well done." 

Jayce groaned in response. "Why do I even come to you to talk—"

"Because I tell you what you need to hear, not what you want." Caitlyn answered before looking as Jayce wiped up his fingers. She changed tactics, immediately going into investigation mode. 

"I'm going to ask you some questions, and you answer me genuinely. Okay?" 

".. alright." Jayce said, looking at Caitlyn with puppy eyes. 

"How did you know you were into Mel?" 

Jayce scratched his chin, thinking of his ex. She really was a lovely person, but in the end it hadn't worked out. Caitlyn held strong feelings towards her for doing so, but Jayce still found her as a good friend.

"I... Guess I kept seeing her? I went out of my way to see her almost everyday."

"Anything else?" She asked, watching Jayce try and scratch his brain on his he showed affection. 

"I think I realized only after she kissed me... We were pretty close." Jayce said. Watching Caitlyn roll her eyes slightly. "And... I just sort of like to— When I like someone, I can't keep... My hands off them. Not even in *that* way. I just... I'm physically affectionate. I wanted to be by her side."

"Sure." She said, before looking at Jayce. "And what about when you two were together?"

"We uh... ..." Jayce answered, before vaguely gesturing his hands. Referring to... Bed.

Caitlyn nodded. 

"And how did you feel when things were still okay — with Mel or any of your past girlfriends."

"It was good... I felt safe. Cared about... You know, until everything." Jayce said, genuinely, trying to search Caitlyn's face as she asked so many questions about his previous history. 

"And you want to know how you feel about loving men?" Cait asked. "Since I have no experience on that department... When you're with... The person you may or MAY NOT be referring to..." She trailed off. 

"Do you see him everyday?" She continued.

"I — well — ... Yes, we ... Work together." Jayce answered, now looking away to instead state at the snowy streets. 

"Do you see him outside of work?"

",,,,... Is this really relative? Cait?" Jayce said, placing his head in a hand as he leaned against the table. Caitlyn could practically see the steam roll off him as he chewed on his knuckle.

"Answer the question! You wanted to know and I'm just trying to help you figure it out. No one helped me figure it out." Caitlyn said as she playfully tapped her foot to Jayce's leg to get his attention. 

"He's my best friend so, yeah, I have."

"... Sure. Best friend."

"And where have you gone that wasn't work?"

"Here.....,,..... My room.......... The secret garden...."

",Jayce. Oh my gods; you're useless." 

Jayce placed his other face in his hand at the comment, red as a tomato and slightly distraught the more he came to realize. 

"How do you feel around your "best friend." She decided to ask, causing Jayce to perk up like a happy dog who just heard the word “treat.”

"Viktor? Oh, he's great! He's so smart.. Like, an actual genius, Cait. He can solve equations in seconds. Do complex divisions in the matter of seconds. I like reading with him. He doesn't talk much unless it's about research. But sometimes he just —" Jayce started, using his hands to happily express himself. "Drops these bombs about himself that I'm amazed about . Did you know he actually snuck his way into the academy when he was young? Or there's a secret garden in the back? Why didn't I think about that! Also, we have this thing where we both try and pay for the coffee we get by sneaking money into our pockets — so far I'm winning. And he's really pretty — not in a weird way or anything — he's got really, really nice eyes. Oh, and he's got a heart of gold. He acts really disinterested to pretty much everyone except me? But truthfully he's actually a super sweet guy. Like his coffee! He puts like a solid cup of sugar per cup? You two should meet! Honestly, I'm glad to call him my best friend." Jayce ranted. Once he finished, he was practically beaming. 

... Oh my god. 

Caitlyn set her chin on her palm; her elbow resting on the table. "...Oh, my god." She said, out loud this time. She then pinched her nose before sitting up straight again.

"Jayce, you're so in love with him it makes you look actually stupid."

"WHAT"

"Don't yell!" She said while chuckling and shaking her head. Meanwhile she could see Jayce's gears practically turning. She moved on, trying to get Jayce to really just confess to himself.

"I knew I liked Vi when I had a dream about her... Any of those?"

".......no." Jayce lied, moving to chew on one of his knuckles. Yes. 

"Can I ask you what the dream was about."

Jayce recalled it... Before turning a scarlet red. He still remembered vividly the way Viktor looked in it. They were in his room... And —

"...No." 

Caitlyn snorted, before placing her hands on the table.

"And how have you been feeling around him?"

",,, confused. " Jayce admitted, looking at his palms. "He's a really good person, Cait... He takes care of me... He gets me... No one else sees the world like the way I do besides him."

"Then, why don't you go for it?"

"What?"

"Ask him out!" Caitlyn encouraged. 

"What— no — I can't — what if he... " Jayce trailed off. Caitlyn waited patiently waiting for Jayce to admit his feelings without him realizing it. "...Doesn't like men back?" He mumbled, searching the deepest recesses of the black coffee he was staring at. "Or doesn't feel the same?..."

Bingo. 

"Men... Back?" Caitlyn said, raising out the words Jayce mumbled; waiting for him to realize what he said. ""Doesn't feel the same?"" She quoted, raising her hand and making a 'duh' movement with her head and hands. 

Once he realized, Jayce stared at her like a deer in the headlights. Like some vulnerable truth was plucked out of his soul even himself wasn't aware of. 

He stood up abruptly; completely red. 

",,, I should— no— I need to go." 

"Easy!" Caitlyn reached over and patted his arm, trying to soothe him. "It's okay, Jayce. Things will work out!" She cheered him up, before standing herself. 

"I think you knew the whole time."

At that, Jayce didn't answer. His head full of doubt and worries ... Secretly a little excitement. Somewhere between terrifying terrifying excitement. 

It was probably best he kept this to himself, though. 

She patted Jayce's shoulder.

"I'm heading home." She said lightly, before waving goodbye as Jayce stood in the snow, alone. "Text me! About anything! Especially this!"

Hm.

--••--

Jayce softly knocked on the door. At first, there was no answer. This would be awkward if Viktor wasn't in his apartment...

,,,

 ...

Jayce sighed while grabbing his own chin. In his other hand was a hot bowl of Sopa De Pollo — his style of chicken noodle soup; the way his mother made it.

Viktor had been continuing not to feel good over the last few days, with yesterday Viktor not even coming to the lab at all... and he wasn't sure if it was from his disease or a common cold. 

Still, he tried one more time. 

"Viktor?" Jayce called softly.

Meanwhile, just behind the door. Viktor stood in the mess of his apartment, a hand in his hair as he stared at what quite frankly could be called a mess. When he heard a second knock, he grimaced and attempted his best to pick up the various sweaters that he had laying around before giving a resigned sigh. 

He slowly and steadily walked to the door — leaning on various surfaces to get there.

He already knew who it could be. Viktor wasn't at the lab yesterday - just due to the sheer amount of walking he had to do to get to it. Today wasn't a good day for him either, as he slowly opened the door. 

Of course, it was Jayce. It would always be Jayce. 

"Hi Viktor!"

"Hello, Jayce." Viktor said; the smallest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he stared at his friend, holding a bowl of soup. "... Did you walk down the stairs with that." It was 1/3rd empty.

"Yes."

"I had a feeling. You do know there's an elevator, correct?"

"...Ah. Yeah. ..." Jayce said, seemingly remembered there was an elevator too. He then shrugged, before gently passing Viktor the bowl. "Anyway, I made you some soup for your cold. It's chicken noodle. Sort of. Basically." He told him, smiling fondly down at him before looking behind Viktor to steal a glimpse of his room.

Viktor nodded, before setting it aside on a nearby catch stand, before sighing shuffling slightly to the side.

"... I suppose you can enter."

Jayce smiled, taking a step in.

"Thank you, Viktor." He told him, before looking around. 

He didn't mind the copious amounts of paper strewn about the room either, but instead focused on the way Viktor decorated. Perhaps that would give him some insight on the way Viktor thought. 

What immediately caught his eye was the intensive library that resided next to the black couch. It was brimming with books and research articles. 

He then continued to look around, staring at the various pillows and blankets that laid on the couch; reminiscent to a nest in a way. Jayce could tell Viktor just got up by the way the blankets looked tossed to the side.

Viktor seemed to have an aversion to lights in general, instead with multiple candles and lamps lit and on in various spots to illuminate the room. Several paintings lined the walls, some looking like bought from more aspiring artists, while others were copies of famous ones. Jayce's favorite pictures hanging were the botany anatomy of plants and their parts. He did also particularly enjoy the entomological framed insects that Viktor collected, alongside some other oddities. It seemed he rather enjoyed "odd" things, as he looked at a shelf, full of fossils and crystals... Jayce started at the pathos plants that overgrew on the shelves. 

Just as he was going to comment on the paintings, he saw something move in the corner of his eyes. He turned his gaze, only to see a mass of fur staring at him with two large golden eyes. 

Jayce gasped loudly as he stared at the cat. 

"You never told me you had a cat?!" He exclaimed excitedly. 

"Ah, yes, this is Měsíc. — You can call her "Moon." " Viktor said, walking over slowly and with effort before sitting down and closing his eyes momentarily. The black cat hopped down to sit on Viktor's lap as her fur got pet back. "I got her last year; someone dumped her in a garbage can. Humanity is cruel... We're good friends now. Yes, miss moon? " He praised his kitty; now scratching behind her ear, before she meowed, stood up, and ran off when Jayce tried sitting next to Viktor on the couch. 

Jayce clicked his tongue upon hearing the cat's story. 

Viktor watched in amusement as She scampered off. 

"What kind of cat?" He inquired while tilting his head.

"She's a Maine Coon. I'm not sure if that's all she is, but she's quite pretty." He hummed, before moving to cough into his elbow.

His coughing only got worse from there, and by the end of it, Viktor seemed pretty out of breath. 

Jayce frowned slightly, before handing him the hot bowl soup. "Drink some.... It'll help with your throat."

"Ah... Thank you, Jayce, for the soup." He said, bringing the bowl to his lips and drinking it quietly.

Jayce nodded. "I made it myself, like my mom made it." He explained. Viktor watched him speak; finding it amusing that he so often talked with his hands to express himself. Viktor eventually set the soup down on his table, on a pile of various papers. 

From here, Jayce spotted numerous books laid open. 

"Oh... Ah." Jayce said, before looking at the wall for a moment. "I had a couple questions..."

Viktor raised his eyebrows, before nodding, letting Jayce continue. 

"We should take those measurements so I can start your brace. Additionally, I just wanted to ask you if you wanted to come with me the festive parade in town next week if you feel better."

Viktor moved to sit cross legged; using his hands to adjust his own leg to the correct position. 

"Oh— absolutely." Viktor said as he leaned forward with a soft of fondness Jayce could now recognize easily from his friend. The way his eyebrows lifted and his eyes seemed to get a little softer and a little wider. Viktor searched Jayce's face, wondering why he looked a bit timid right about now.

He remembered the lights. 

Jayce then reached over to pick off some fluff off Viktor's very overly large hoodie. Honestly, it was charming to see him in something not so "professional." — he looked far less intimidating this way compared to his usual sweaters.

Jayce then cleared his throat, picking up the finished bowl. 

"Anyway— I should — get going." 

"Already?" Viktor questioned, much to even his own surprise. 

Jayce stopped in his tracks and looked over like it was Christmas morning. "I can stay?"

"I'm not — saying you cannot?" Viktor answered, shaking his head. Maybe that was a mistake. But.. "I need —,,..." 

Viktor looked around, trying to think of a quick excuse. 

"To— ,,, your help ,,, to uh... Feed... My cat. Yes OH— and,  I need you to stay so I can take the measurements." Viktor said, clasping his hands and looking rather proud of himself. 

Jayce stared at him, before stifling a laugh with his hand.

Even he could tell that was a lie. He took a seat right back by Viktor's side with a smile.

"You know, you can just say you wanted some company." Jayce said, smiling and sitting again next to Viktor. "You don't need an excuse to say you want to spend time —"

Viktor, in response, let out an offended gasp. 

"I — never. — obviously, you want company. I'm just being ... Ehm, generous." Viktor said, while throwing his hands up defensively before looking to the side. 

"I do want company."

That backfired for Viktor. He stared at him with wide eyes... It backfired so much so he abruptly wacked Jayce with a pillow off the couch.

"You come into my — wack. —house and — and— "

Jayce was openly laughing now, holding his arms as he repeatedly got wacked by a pillow. 

"And, what? Call you out?" 

"Rude! — Wack.— You're being — wack.— incredibly rude and disrespectful in my OWN home!" Viktor told him, now openly laughing as well he abused the poor jayce with a soft pillow that had embroidered flowers on it. 

Jayce eventually grabbed the pillow while laughing, holding it in place as Viktor tried to mercilessly attack him once again. But he was unsuccessful  at attempting to pull it sway. Seeing that Jayce grabbed it, he made a small joking "hm."

Viktor folded his hands, sitting politely and crossed crossed again, as Jayce set the pillow aside with a relieved sigh.

"....are you done?" He asked, between laughs, now trying not to double over and stifling his laughs.

Viktor peaked an eye open to glance at him from the side. 

"....No." he picked up another pillow. 

"PLEASE NO—" Jayce pretended to beg, now infact doubling over while he wheezed. 

"Apologize." Viktor ordered, grinning like a mischievous cat as he held his arsenal. He looked like he was genuinely having fun.

"I'm not apologizing."

Wack.

"OKOK— *SNORT* — IM SORRY —" He wheezed, defending himself by holding the pillow from earlier as a makeshift shield. 

Viktor laughed victoriously and maniacally, before reclining into the couch, looking rather smug about his victory. However, it was predetermined, as Jayce stared at his pillow, then at Viktor. 

 ...

He gently got the side of his arm with the pillow. Viktor let out an offended gasp, before grabbing Jayce's wrists firmly to stop him in the second act.

"YOU—"

"aHAHAHA." Jayce declared, victoriously, as Viktor tried to hold down his wrists from hitting him again. Incidentally  creating a soft of arm wrestling competition between the two of them. Unfortunately for Viktor, he was sick... Additionally, his opponent was ripped due to the fact he owned a personal blacksmithing place and worked out pretty often. 

However Jayce seemingly let him win, as Viktor held his wrists above Jayce's head with a sort of wild look into his eyes as he grinned ear to ear at his Victory. 

...

Jayce decided to let him win things more from here on out for no reason in particular. The charming thing was, ... Viktor didn't even seem to realize Jayce let him win — too caught up in winning to even notice. 

Viktor then held Jayce's wrists tightly, before suddenly letting go and having another abrupt coughing fit while sitting up. Jayce's eyes widened as he reached over, patting his back.

"—Easy! ... It's alright. Try and take a deep breath." Jayce said, rubbing his back as Viktor struggled. After it passed, Viktor cleared his throat, looking a bit exhausted from it. "I didn't mean to get you riled up." Jayce joked, causing Viktor to roll his eyes as he took in a couple deep breaths. 

"Sorry. I didn't mean to — I forgot." Jayce said, moving to stare at Viktor's face with concern. 

"I'm fine... It's just... a cold." He promised, through more labored breaths as he gently placed a hand on Jayce's shoulder to push him slightly away from himself.

Jayce raised his eyebrows, looking at him with soft eyes as Viktor let go of his wrists; instead patting the back of his hand affectionately and silently. 

"I'll be fine, I promise." Viktor said.

"Are you sure???" Jayce inquired, looking over Viktor.

Viktor looked at him, his eyebrows suddenly furrowing as he wondered why Jayce was so anxious about this simple cold.

Then, seemingly he all at once understood why Jayce was so worried as he caught his friend's eyes. The basis of his studies was from his family getting sick ...  He put two and two together. 

"Jayce, I will always be right here." Viktor promised softly, looking up at him with kind eyes. 

Jayce seemed taken aback from his sudden resolution... Before looking at Viktor's face, carefully. Jayce hadn't noticed it before... But Viktor had noticed for him. He was terrified of him getting too sick. 

"...Do you promise?" He suddenly mumbled. 

"I swear." Viktor answered, resolutely, as he saw slight relief in Jayce's eyes in response. Viktor came to understand now, that Jayce carried his worries deep within his heart and often never vocalized them. 

It was easy to take his behavior as optimism, when he only spoke of positive things...  But Viktor understood now that many things plagued Jayce now. He was a complex person. 

At the lab, two days ago, when Jayce was so insistent on taking care of him... Viktor  didn't understand it then, but he did now. It made sense now.

"You can stay here if you want, if that makes you feel better." Viktor said, genuinely, now looking away some. For some inexplicable reason; his face felt a bit warm. 

"Really? Viktor, you don't have to." Jayce said in astonishment, observing the way Viktor tucked some of his long hair behind his ears. "I know you like your space and—"

"... I... think I want you to." He mumbled, soft enough where Jayce had to furrow his brows to make sure he heard correctly. "I want you to be here..."

...

He then reached over, opening his arms, before pulling Viktor close. Viktor's eyes widened some, his hands instinctively hovering in the air over the sheer fact he didn't know what to do. 

The last time someone hugged him...

Viktor gently set his hand on Jayce's back first; before looking at jayce from the the side. In the end, he ended up hugging him back softly and closing his eyes as he rested his head into Jayce's soft flannel he was wearing.

...

Vanilla and Sandalwood.

Viktor squeezed him harder. 

...Jayce did ruin him. 

Chapter Text

Needless to say, Viktor fell asleep in Jayce's arms. Again. Which was starting to become a problem, as he woke up, his face buried deep into Jayce's chest...

Oxytocin. Serotonin. Dopamine. 

Viktor stared at the lamp in the corner of the living room, his face — like previously mentioned — rested on Jayce's chest. His brain naturally recited the chemicals associated with sleeping with a friend. 

Viktor set his hand on Jayce's chest, laying it flat. He was pretty sure it was the middle of the night still due to it being so dark in the living room. 

Viktor slowly turned his head, staring up at the sleeping Jayce. Last night, he hugged him, and never let go. 

All due to his declaration he didn't want Jayce to leave his side when he felt like... This. 

He blinked slowly at him, before inhaling deeply and quietly. It sounded quite strange, But Jayce always smelt pretty wonderful... He pressed his face into his chest, before resting his head on Jayce's chest; once again listening to his heartbeat. 

Thump. Thump. Thump. 

Viktor let out another deep breath. 

Oxytocin. Serotonin. Dopamine. 
Sight, Scent, Sound. 

Viktor moved to touch Jayce's arm as he slept, eyes analyzing it, before staring at the arm Jayce wore a watch on it. 

His eyes slid back to Jayce, confirming he was actually asleep, before he ran his hand over any faint lines there, frowning slightly.

Viktor then placed his hand on top of Jayce's, getting comfortable once more to rest his head back on Jayce's impossibly soft chest. He kept his hand on top of his, before settling down and closing his eyes. 

Much to Viktor horror, the hand there moved to squeeze Viktor's; tightly while mumbling sleepily before wrapping an arm around Viktor to hold him securely to himself. 

Viktor stared at Jayce; wondering if he was really asleep or just had his eyes closed. Slightly terrified of the latter. Regardless, Viktor was quite comfortable, as he stared at the hand that was wrapped within Jayce's. 

...

Friends did this, right. ??? Absolutely! Definitely. Yes.

And how did Viktor tell Jayce he wanted to sleep like this every night, for the rest of his life... 

Damnit Jayce. 

Victor burried his face into Jayce's chest, feeling a wave of frustration or perhaps confusion run over him. Or perhaps, flustration was the word. He wasn't sure how to correctly identify his feelings. He had never been good at introspective feeling in general. — it was much more easier to identify facts.

"Are you good?..." Jayce mumbled, peaking an eye slightly open at the movement Viktor was causing. ... Viktor could of probably passed away on the spot; truthfully. 

Jayce wasn't asleep.

Viktor didn't answer. Instead he stayed very still, causing Jayce to mumble softly, thinking Viktor had fell back to sleep. He placed his other hand slowly in Viktor's hair, taking the time to run his fingers in it. Since they had known each other, Viktor's hair had gotten so long. Jayce found it more ... Uhhhh... "Charming" this way. Yes,, charming! Charming was the word. Definitely. 

Viktor, meanwhile, felt the familiar shirt circuit in his brain at feeling a hand deep within his hair; it felt amazing.  

"Viktor ... I see you smiling..." Jayce said, catching the glimpse of the grin as Viktor turned his head into his chest. He stared in amusement as honey eyes peaked up at him through his lashes when he was noticed.

He had been caught! Damnit.  He closed his eyes.

"You're really bad at lying, Vik." Jayce teased softly; using a low tone of voice that Viktor could only describe as... Intimate. 

Yes. Intimate was a good word... Because there was no need for Jayce to speak in such a low and gentle tone; After all, it was the two of them. But why was Jayce so...

Jayce watched as he saw Viktor's brain start to stir, trying to come up with what to say or justify his actions — as it often did. He wasn't going to allow that right now — Viktor had the tendency to overthink. 

Jayce gently started to scratch his scalp, and he saw Viktor immediately fold. He deflated, even, as his eyes fluttered close almost instantaneously. 

Cute. 

Not that— —Jayce abruptly thought about his conversation with Caitlyn... He stared at Viktor, as another wave of sleepiness seemed to pass over him. 

Yeah... Actually, he was cute. Endearing. 

He liked that word. And now, that he could let himself think these things... He also found Viktor pretty. The way his eyebrows would furrow and unfurrow whenever he was in thought... The way his long hair would fall in his face whenever he was looking over papers... Jayce realized he had admired Viktor longer than he thought. 

Now the question was... Did Viktor feel the same?

"Your heart ... Rate.... Increased ," Viktor mumbled, sleepily as his hand tightened around Jayce's for just a moment. "62 to.... 70.... "

His head had rested on Jayce's chest... So the steady thump he heard became more of a rapid one. 

"Sorry." Jayce said, laughing softly as Viktor seemed to be counting his heartbeat... he rested his hand on the back of Viktor's neck, running his thumb there where his hair met his neck. 

Viktor mumbled something incoherently, causing Jayce to lightly chuckle at how far gone Viktor was. Viktor seemed to completely break at any physical touch he received, Jayce had noticed. Just... Stopped working completely. The closest thing he could describe it was taking a battery out of an object mid task. He found it sort of amusing that Viktor — out of everyone — craved affection. 

Now that he thought about it... His friend was sort of like a cat... In the sense they acted like didn't need anything until it was time for bed... Or a treat. Viktor looked like if he could purr; he would. 

Viktor looked far pleased in his hold. 

Man, he really liked Viktor...

"Goodnight, V."

"....good.... ... . Mmnbhff." Viktor responded, causing Jayce try not to laugh openly as he mumbled incoherently halfway through. Viktor raised his hand out of his hair, causing Viktor to look up at him with sudden betrayal. 

Jayce dropped his hand back into his hair, scratching it. Like a switch, his eyes were closed, — Jayce tried not to laugh again as he closed his own eyes as well, before feeling a hand in his own hair, petting it back slightly and languidly. It seemed this action took the last of his braincells in focus.

Jayce leaned into his touch, soon finding he was about asleep himself in the matter of seconds. 

He felt warm and safe.

Chapter Text

Viktor.

Viktor!

Viktor!... Wake up!

It had been a few days since the last time Viktor fell asleep on top of his friend after his declaration. 

The scientist gave stir as he was awoken by the hand on his shoulder vigorously shaking him awake. He raised his head, his eyes meeting with Jayce’s. When did he fall asleep… He had been falling asleep far more than he wanted to lately. Hopefully he could  just blame the weather and not something worse.

“Jayce?” Viktor asked, slowly moving to stand up, his eyes narrowing when he realized that jayce was in his apartment, but also completely covered in smoke and ashes.

“Jayce? What happened to you?? Viktor asked again, finding he really didn’t mind Jayce had decided to essentially “break” into his apartment. But rather it looked like someone threw ashes on his poor research partner – even his hair was stuck back.

“Im sorry — this is important— You remember? When we said we thought that photons could change upon being observed?” He said excitedly, pulling Viktor practically up to his feet, supporting him only with arm, which was rather impressive on itself. Viktor nodded slightly; a little out of it due to the fact he just woke up. Did jayce run,,, all this way?

Especially like that?

“Yes, of course. – Jayce.. I apologize - why are you covered in ashes? Additionally, bursted in my room-”

“Don’t worry about that – there was an accident in the lab BUT I figured out we were right -- we were RIGHT and so MUCH BETTER.” Jayce exclaimed. He then set Viktor down, immediately handing him a sweater and a pair of pants, much to Viktors dismay.

“Jayce, my – “Viktor started, reaching for his cane.

“I know, I know – Look, I know I say you need to rest but this is so important – I need you to be there.” Jayce said, looking away as Viktor slowly pulled off his hoodie and tugged on the sweater Jayce had handed him regardless of how he was feeling. Obviously, this was important enough.

 As soon as Jayce found it appropriate, he turned around, digging in his bag before dropping to his knees infront of Viktor.

“This should help you walk back...” Jayce added, before looking up at Viktor with momentarily fond eyes as he placed both of his hands on Viktors difficult leg. “Lift.” He ordered, softly.

Viktor tilted his head, shaking his head at the state of Jayce, now on the ground kneeling in front of him. Slowly, Jayce slid a brace over his leg, before fastening it over his leg, his hands soft yet firm enough as he slid it in place. Viktor stared at him silently; unable to identify the feeling he was having towards Jayce at this very moment.

Somewhere between intimate. Affection,  and… Something else. If he could find the answer, he’d be sure to write it down.

Jayce looked back down at the brace, keeping his hands there for a moment.

“Sorry, I wanted to give you this in a nice present… But… I didn’t want to carry you there and this is very important for you to see in person.”

“Thank you, Jayce.” Viktor spoke, looking down at him, as his blankets draped over his shoulders and as  his hair fell into his eyes -- as he looked though Jayce through his lashes while holding onto his cane. Never had Jayce looked at someone so ethereally pretty. He looked like he could be some sort of god.  He dry swallowed, before briefly explaining how the brace worked.

 “I made it so you can change out the cloth here to match your outfits… I uh, made you a couple different ones.” He explained; his hand resting on Viktor’s outter thigh for a moment as he showed him the way it laced there. “It’s adjustable,”

“mm.. mhm.”

Jayce moved his hands slowly back to his knee. “ This is for your midthigh. You can slide this so it’s either under your knee, or if you need it, it can fasten over your entire leg.”

“yes..”

“This part will always go over where your knee bends. There’s a gear here that will help you turn it… “ Jayce said, before gently grabbing Viktor’s hand to show him where he could adjust the gears stability. “You can slide this to lock in place if you need to stand.”

“…Very good, Jayce.”

Jayce cleared his throat some, his face warm, before continuing again. “The rest is self explanatory… There’s also straps here that can be attached that can go under your shirt to help, as well as one that goes around the arch of your foot. All detachable as well.”

Viktor nodded, as his free hand felt his new brace; particularly enjoying the way the upper thigh part was not only adjustable with it’s lacing in a similar way to a corset, but stylish enough to blend into his outfits if he desired.  Slowly, He moved his leg, finding the gears allowed his knee to move into the desired position a lot easier. He stretched his leg out, without the need to manually do it with his hands, causing him to sigh in relief.

“You might still need your cane… But it should help with mobility. Wanna try walking?...” Jayce said, helping Viktor up after he himself stood as the researcher nodded.

Immediately, Viktor’s eyes seemed to lit up.

“I feel so --- light.”  He said, as he shifted his weight onto both of his legs as he let his arms run over the cold metal that Jayce made. “ I don’t--… What do I even say?” He asked Jayce. Jayce smiled, giving him a gentle look and shaking his head. 

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“But I want to tell you everything.”

…

Jayce just pocketed his hands, before grabbing his arm and laughing. “Come on! We need to get to the lab! I forgot!” He urged, hurrying Viktor as he pulled on his shoes, causing him to laugh.

“Yes, Yes, I hear you – Okay.” Viktor said while grinning at jayce’s urgency and excitement, running his hands over the brace one more as he sat to tug on his shoes. He found it incredibly easier to sit and stand now. He briefly wondered if this was how abled people like Jayce felt all the time.

He stood up – so easy now! – before picking up a hair tie off the table and pulling his hair up into a ponytail as he walked since he didn’t have time to comb it; before walking to the door. Simultaneously he attempted to think of a way to thank Jayce for his hard work on the brace… He should probably get him a gift of sorts… This must of taken ages….  “This better be good Jayce.—ehm. Jayce?”

Jayce stood in the middle of the living room, staring at Viktor with wide eyes owlishy. The combination of Viktor’s new brace (which he made) in combination with his “friend” pulling up his hair would surely be the source of many un(welcomed) dreams.

Viktor blinked whilst raising his eyebrows. “Are we in a hurry? Or are we not? Please decide.”

Jayce cleared his throat… again, -- “Right.”  before walking besides Viktor at his usual pace into the hallway. He soon found that his usual pace was too slow, walking at a brisk pace to catch up with his friend. Apparently, Viktor had built up the muscles moving the dead weight of his leg—and now that he actually had the support he needed, he could move incredibly quick.

“You clear your throat a lot. Are you feeling ill?”

As the two entered the lab; Viktor was greeted by a mess. It was clear – if not obvious from Jayce himself – an explosion happened.

“So, our theories were correct! I replicated that experiment with the sheet and the photons, correct. I finally could isolate certain particles and we could see them scatter or stay in a straight line.”

“Correct.”
“Well, I was thinking, why can’t we capture a photon?”
“It’s too quick.” Viktor answered, moving to stand in front of the counter in which the explosion occurred.  

“That’s what I thought too! But I can see the way the photons particles react with the sheet that you helped me make. So,” Jayce said, sitting in his usual chair. Viktor moved quickly to sit next to him.

“Our experiments are on the basis we cannot separate a single light paricle due to how quick they move and their property to clump to eachother.… Something tells me you managed to isolate one?” Viktor said, picking up a journal.  Jayce’s journal. “Please tell me you were writing everything down.”

“For once, yes!” Jayce exclaimed. “This explosion is reaction to one photon, Isolated!”

“My god, Jayce. I think you just made history!” Viktor exclaimed,  looking over the combination of his and Jayce’s notes. “If we manage to capture a photon, we might be able to transfer data in seconds!  Not even seconds – fractions of a millisecond. Jayce, we might just of found the cure for international *space* travel., if we wanted.  The possibilities are endless!” Viktor chatted. “We could use this in pair with the nano technology you were working on to create--- so many things.” Viktor continued, reclining into his chair as he eagerly scribbled away. “My theories, all my theories were correct!” he continued to laugh.

“The only issue is not only to recreate it, but ensnare the light particle so we can A. Document it B. Harvest it for use.” Jayce said, before looking at the machine that was now destroyed due to the explosion. “And,.,, not let anything combust.”

“We must figure out why it would explode.”

“My guess is it’s properties – similar to atoms. The sheer amount of energy might be entirely too intense for any container.” Jayce said, causing Viktor to pause in his exciting scribbling.

“what?” Jayce asked, seeing the slightly horrified expression on Viktor’s face.

“If atoms have the ability to create bombs by splitting… “ Viktor said, staring at the broken machine. He dried swallowed, which Jayce found slightly uncharacteristic for him. Never had he seen Viktor look so concerned. “Then what can this do?”

“… Elaborate.”

“a simple isolation caused this explosion, Jayce. It’s a miracle you’re not blind by its expansion of energy searching for more light, first of all. But if we document a photons characteristics … and it falls into the wrong hands, weapons of mass destruction could be made. If someone decides to split a singular photon.”

Jayce paled some… This discovery might come at a horrible price.

“But… This is everything you ever hoped and dreamed for.”

“Not the destruction.” Viktor mumbled, now biting his tongue. “That would… be my worse nightmare.”

Jayce fell silent as Viktor concentrated his gaze on the aftermath of explosion, before silently placing a hand on Jayce’s shoulder.

“We must continue, for the sake of progress.” He concluded, as he wiped his fingers over the desk; ash smearing on his fingers as he rubbed his thumb and pointer together. “Just this discovery means we can harvest energy for the fraction of the price to fuel if we do this right… But we myust not ever let our research into the wrong hands from now on… We seem so close to the origin of creation and evolution itself.”
 

Jayce gave a slow nod, moving to stand up but deciding in the end to stay seated as Viktor kept a hand on his shoulder. . “So who should we tell?...”

“I’m not sure yet… Heimerdinger first. He can advise us.” Viktor mumbled as he bit his nails.

“What if he discontinues the research due to the dangers.” Jayce asked, looking over at Viktor still as he watched him analyze the scene.

To this, Viktor didn’t have an answer. This meant years and years of research down the drain.

“Lie.”

“Viktor…” Jayce said whilst giving him a slightly concerned look. “I can’t lie. – You’ve spent so much time on these papers… We’re going to have to tell Heimerdinger.” Jayce said.

Viktor held his face in thought.

“How do we make sure this never falls into the wrong hands? Jayce – this can be used for so much good… Yet so much evil.”

“I think for the name of progress, Viktor. We must tell someone.”

Viktor closed his eyes. 

“Okay… -- after we figure out to contain this. Only then.”

“Deal.”

“I need just the satisfaction for myself… After that.. If…”

Jayce exhaled some in a stressed silence, just as Viktor took a seat, gently patting his arm in silence, before picking up the white journal jayce wrote all his notes in; silently flipping through.

How could they contain something so unruly…

This would many sleepless nights here in the lab until they had results. In the spur of the moment., Viktor’s agile hands began to fly around the workspace as he began reconstructing the same photon particle splicer they had constructed before. Before once again standing as he seemed to get more into his work.

Viktor stood, his eyes narrowing as he constructed a machine in the span of minute from sheer memory. He was clearly in the flow as he created the splicer, before stepping aside.

“What could suspend a light particle?” Viktor asked Jayce, his amber eyes locking with his best friend and partner,

“Something reflective, I suspect.”

“We would need to create something in the sheer amount that it would not lose an ounce of absorption rate. A standard mirror couldn’t be our answer, but it could be a start.” Viktor theorized, as his hands hovered over various parts in a scarily rapid speed. Jayce considered himself rather intelligent, but he was unable to simply construct machines from the likes of his mind compared to Viktor, who seemed to be in a flow completely unstoppable to any outside force .

He then reached over to the side to various tools he kept around the lab’ Picking up a pair of black googles and adjusting said  goggles over his eyes; a single strand falling in his eyes. When Viktor looked over, he effectively looked similar to a mad scientist. It was… certainly a look. Not one Jayce would complain about. He adjusted his glasses before blowing the strand over and out his eyes.

“ I would stand back. This might cause a second explosion.” Viktor warned, handing Jayce a pair of glasses as well, however Jayce’s were the standard lab ones compared to Viktor’s custom ones. “And close your eyes.”

 Jayce did as he was instructed, realizing that once Viktor got into a specific scientific mood … he couldn’t exactly stop him  into achieving his goals. He wouldn’t be lying he didn’t find it rather amusing watching Viktor get so fired up over something  like this– someone usually so stoic and quiet could easily start laughing maniacally if things went his way.

Viktor then connected two wires; and as expected, an explosion suddenly emitted from the splicer, covering Viktor in soot and ashes. However, this time, the machine stayed together compared to the last explosion from Jayce’s solo mission. Viktor smiled ear to ear; obviously getting the results he wanted from this. He lifted his glasses above his head, looking down and over at Jayce.

“We have something great on our hands indeed Jayce. We soon will have a legacy written in our names.” He told his friend  while grinning even wider before fixing his goggles. “Again!”

“You can get a bit… scary like this, I hope you know that, V.”

“Oh, I’m just ambitious, Jayce.” Viktor replied, as another explosion was made from the slicer.

“--I’m starting to think you like explosions.”

“Write the charge rates down.” Viktor ordered, standing behind Jayce as he tapped in the familiar white notebook Jayce wrote everything down. “The monitoring system is effective, Yes?” He asked his partner, leaning further to lean on his shoulder as he watched Jayce scribble everything down into his notes. Viktor tilted his head while he leaned there. “Make sure you carry the exponent.” He told him, before watching Jayce shift in his chair as Viktor stood straight and went back to work.

“Also, I don’t like explosions, I like the adrenaline, Jayce.”

This caused Jayce to grin wryly. At least he was here from stopping Viktor from blowing up half the building due to his excitement.

Chapter Text

"JAYCE!"

Viktor exclaimed from the other side of the room, laughing rather excitedly.  "Jayce!"

He ran into the other side— staring at Jayce with a  wide smile in the likes he had never seen before.

"I DID IT."

It had been days from the previous discovery of splicing the photon from others. Since then, it had been Viktor's goal to suspend and isolate one.

This resulted in dayss of the two of them essentially living in the lab together, completely dedicating themselves to this scientific endeavor. Only going home to either shower or sometimes sleep. For Viktor it was also to feed and pet his cat. But mostly, they would both end up falling asleep here, buried in notes.

Upon hearing this, Jayce could practically cry in relief, now moving to stand up and meet Viktor, cupping his face in his excitement. 

"YOU DID IT?!" He asked in astonishment. "YOU ACTUALLY  CAPTURED IT?"

Viktor placed his hands over Jayce's, nodding eagerly. 

"I just used fiberglass to reroute the photon but I —" Viktor began, before going on a long and technical route of how he managed to capture a photon particle, as Jayce stood there, looking down at him and smiling eagerly as he ranted on and on and on in the process. 

Eventually, he came to a conclusion.

"We made a breakthrough greater than anyone might of ever thought." Viktor concluded, pulling away some from Jayce's firm hands on his face. 

Jayce's hands rested on his shoulders instead , sort of shaking Viktor out of excitement as his eyes sparkled.

"We— we should celebrate!" Jayce said. 

Viktor grinned rubbing his eyes from the ashes that rested there from all the explosions. 

"I agree, for once. This calls for a celebration! I'll show Heimerdinger the reports Tomorrow." He said, before reaching up and shaking jayce out of excitement.

Jayce walked over to look at the contraption they made, staring at the books and books of notes they wrote before suddenly pausing. 

"Viktor —  Its the holiday-- I forgot — the winter parades tonight!" Jayce said, as he ran his fingers through his hair as he forgot about their not date due to reasearch.  How much time had passed?

"We should do that, perhaps stop and grab something to drink for our Victory!" Viktor exclaimed, walking over as he gathered his belongings spread throughout the lab. The researcher looked ecstatic. If he could jump, he would.  Instead, Viktor would clasp his hands, let go, before clasping then again in excitement — clearly unable to control how happy he was feeling. 

Finally, his research had an ends to a mean. 

"I...  I Will see you tonight, Jayce. I'll arrive at your apartment at 6:00 pm." Viktor said, before resting his hand on Jayce's shoulder and nodding. 

Jayce nodded in agreement, trying to think about his this definitely was not a date. Definitely. Just... Two friends, celebrating. Yes. 

He cleared his throat and nodded again. 

"Alright, I will... See you tonight."

"Absolutely." 

--••--

Viktor found it completely pointless to knock at the point. The amount of times he and Jayce had entered and exited each other's apartments over the last few days and even weeks beforehand... Well, what was the point? Pointless formalities at this point. Which Viktor found completely irrelevant now that he had fell asleep near or on jayce multiples times already. 

Viktor checked the time on his phone. He was only a few minutes early than what he said, but surely that didn't matter. 

As he entered, he looked around the empty apartment; his eyes drifting around the holiday decorations. After tonight, they would be taken down. The thought made Viktor slightly briefly saddened...  It was his favorite holiday... He supposed he would always associate the holiday spirit with Jayce now.

Speaking of.

"Jayce? I am here. — I hope you're not sleeping —' Viktor called, before hearing footsteps. 

A slender figure stepped out of the bedroom area, his hair dripping wet while a towel was wrapped around his waist and his shoulders. he glistened from the lights across the room while waving at Viktor. 

"Viktor!" He happily greeted, only to met with Viktor just... Frozen on the spot, similar to a statue. Jayce swore he could see him get visibly redder. "V? Sorry, I was just getting ready for — ... Viktor... Vik?."

"I'm going home." Viktor said; immediately swiveling on his heel towards the door. 

"NOOOOOO—" Jayce said, walking behind him.  He then grabbed Viktor's wrist to stop him ; gently sitting him down on the couch. 

"Give me like ten minutes. You're early." He explained. Viktor was very clearly trying not  to look at him now. "Also, you look nice." 

It was clear that Viktor put a lot of thought in his appearance today.  With a gray trench coat, a black turtleneck, slacks, and black boots. 

Even his brace matched his outfit, Jayce noticed as he sat him down and looked down at him for a moment. 

His hair looked like he had taken the time to look tamed today, albeit straightened. Viktor hadn't noticed before, but it looked like Viktor had two tufts of golden white hair on either side of his head, which he incorporated into his outfit. 

Did Viktor have vitiligo?...

"You're staring." Viktor said, clearing his throat, still trying not to look at the shirtless Jayce who was now very directly Infront and slightly over him. 

"Sorry." Jayce apologized, smiling sheepishly. 

"I'll be right back." 

Jayce then walked away;  albeit he swore he could feel Viktor's gaze burn into his back. 

As soon as Jayce disappeared into the room, Viktor felt his chest with his palm, exhaling slightly. Why was his heart rate elevated.  Was he sick? 

This wasn't the time to get sick; he wanted to celebrate tonight properly. 

Eventually Jayce stepped out of his room, his outfit similar to Viktor's albeit all in black.. Instead of a turtleneck, he wore a black button up with a tie. 

Black was quite fitting for Jayce. It brought out his eyes. 

"We'll miss the parade and the lights." Viktor said, instead of the compliment in his head. 

"Viktor, we're still thirty minutes early." He said, laughing at how excited he was to go enjoy the holiday and their not-date. 

Jayce walked over, offering him a hand to stand up. Viktor took it and stood with his help, before leaning on his cane. 

"Is the brace still treating you well?" He asked, watching Viktor's eyes flitter about on his outfit for a moment before settling on his face on the question. 

"Yes." Viktor answered, looking up at him. "I want to thank you properly. I will soon."

"You don't have to." Jayce said, smiling, before leading Viktor to the door.  "Let's just enjoy tonight! Our research just hit a big milestone! And it's the holiday!" He cheered. 

Viktor gave slight jazz hands at his enthusiasm. "Yes." He 'cheered.' Still, he found himself

Captivated by how cheerful and excited Jayce was. 

As the pair walked to the city, Viktor found it was a much easier walk compared to last time. In preparation for walking so much, Viktor had made sure his new brace was secured around the arch of his foot as well as his shoulder.  

Jayce looked over now , observing the way Viktor moved. He looked like he didn't place as much weight on his hip or knee anymore. In turn, his cane served more as a walking stick then a crutch than before. Jayce noticed the way his jaw didn't seem so tight, or the way his eyebrows didn't furrow whenever he walked in concentration like he usually did.

That made Jayce particularly happy. 

They arrived into the city.

Piltover was bustling in terms of people tonight; all visiting the shops, sipping hot chocolate, — some spiked chocolate — and getting ready for the parade tonight.  The lights also seemed to be in full swing, but what everyone was waiting on now was the century tree nearby. The oldest tree in this region; lit up in festive lights. 

Viktor found himself leaning against Jayce as they entered the denser crowd, unable to walk too far from him without getting separated. 

Jayce looked over, smiling ear to ear at how the lights sparkled in Viktor's eyes. He wondered if he had ever went to enjoy the holiday before this. 

The snow was falling in a pleasant way tonight, not too thick, but enough where it would stick to the ground. 

Viktor pointed to a hot chocolate vendor around the corner; his partner seemed to notice he was wearing thicker black gloves as he did so. A simple stall with big gallons of free hot chocolate for the crowd.

"Want one?" Jayce called over the loud bustling of crowd and festive music. 

"Yes, please." Viktor answered. 

The two pushed into the crowd to the small stand for hot chocolate. Jayce turned around, handing Viktor one, before the two continuing down the path to the century tree. 

"It's so busy tonight." Viktor said, humming as he closed his eyes as he sipped his drink. A pleasant warmth spread through him as he enjoyed the taste. For some reason, he found he didn't mind there was so many people. 

"Definitely. I think this is the biggest turnout I've seen." Jayce said, chattering his teeth some, causing Viktor to raise his eyebrows and grin wryly.

"Are you cold?"

" God. Yes—" Jayce whined. 

"Let's go into this shop." Viktor suggested, while grabbing Jayce's wrist and tugging him into one of the small local stores. 

The store seemed to be a tea and spice exchange. The pair looked around for a while, before spotting various ground coffees. Viktor then tugged on Jayce's sleeve to get his attention, just as the other was warning himself up with his hands. he had long ago drank his cup of hot chocolate. 

"Let's look." Jayce said, walking alongside Viktor as the two of them walked over to look at the various coffee types. Nearby was a spread of various scented candles, with actual roasted beans decorating the top.

"Look." Viktor said, setting his hot chocolate down as he held up a coffee scented candle up near Jayce's face. 

"Oh, awesome." Jayce answered, leaning down to sniff it.  He then stood straight, nodding his head in an impressed way.  "Wait — dude, that actually smells really good." He said in astonishment. 

"Jayce... Did you just "dude" me?' Viktor asked, laughing slightly as he set the candle down.

Jayce blinked, before laughing at his excitement. "Oops. -- Im sorry! i'm sorry. "

"Never again." Viktor joked at him.

The two moved on to look at collection novelty mugs towards the back.

Jayce picked up one that said "I told a chemistry joke once, but I got no reaction." Showing it to Viktor, who rolled his eyes, but looked pretty amused.

Viktor sorted through the various mugs before grinning mischievously as he passed one he found to jayce.  It read. "I don't snore, I was just dreaming I was snow skiing." 

"har. har." Jayce replied, elbowing Viktor. Referring to their arguments if Jayce snored of not. 

"I'll be right back, just running to the restroom." Viktor said, momentarily walking away, trying to sneak away while Jayce was distracted at looking at a coffee press.  Jayce looked up before nodding, watching Viktor step away.

Jayce waited for him patiently, looking around the warm little shop in his absence. Maybe this would be a good idea to get him something from here... After all, it was the holiday for it. He hadn't had time to go present shopping due to all the studying. 

Jayce picked up the candle from before, alongside with the mug with the bad chemistry joke, before walking to the cashier..  he pulled out some cash, before looking over to see Viktor, buying the said candle and also said mug.

...

...

...

...

Viktor blinked, caught red handed.

"Ah.. ,,, Happy Festive day,,, Jayce?" He joked meekly, now holding the candle out for Jayce. A little red ribbon on top, as well as the mug.

Jayce then looked to the presents in his hands, before covering his mouth and laughing. 

"No way." He said, holding out the same said candle and a mug, causing Viktor to blink and laugh too — especially when Jayce proceeded to buy it and hand him the same present. 

"Wow, so thoughtful." Viktor joked, smiling with his teeth for once as he held both candles, now handing jayce his present. 

"Oh wow, you shouldn't have." Jayce replied, before wrapping an around Viktor's shoulder and laughing, moving to stand back out into the cold.

Viktor was sniffing the candle, while he held the hot chocolate in his other hand. Truly, he was a simple man. 

He pocketed his candle and mug, before standing side by side with Jayce once more, staring at the way he snow reflected the lights as it fell.

"Oh! the countdown is starting." Jayce told Viktor, Taking his wris— his hand. Jayce took his hand, as the two pushed through the denser crowd. Jayce acted as a nice barrier for Viktor as he walked behind him with his cane, pushing through. 

Eventually, somehow, Jayce managed to get them up to the front. The century tree, as previously described, was an ancient tree on this side of Piltover. It's size was gigantic, and a whole city square was devoted to it, as long with a large clock. This spot also happened to be the beginning of the Piltover parade.  During this time of year, the city lit the tree in spectacular lights to festive music.

Viktor stood beside him, still holding onto Jayce's hand as the countdown began. 

10... 9... 8... 

It was also, customary,

For loved ones to kiss their partner at the end of the countdown; as it signified the day to the new years eve. 

7.. 6.. 5..

Bringing you luck for the upcoming year. 

4... 3... 

Jayce felt his face burn some. Obviously, he couldn't kiss Viktor... But he found that... He secretly wanted to. But Viktor was his friend. His dearest, dearest friend.  He also realized that this was more than a date than he expected... And it felt great.

He was having a good night... Which was a rare treat for him due to it being winter.  He wondered if Viktor was having a good time. 

2..

Viktor was winter and fall, and he was just the spring and summer. 

1.

Jayce glanced over at Viktor, watching his eyes dance under the way the lights sparkled and twinkled.  He was momentarily captivated by his pretty Viktor really was; especially when he smiled. Like now.  That answered every doubt he may of had. Viktor seemed to be having the time of his life. 

Some of the crowd moved to embrace each other, while some applauded, the kids screaming in joy as music and the parade began.

Viktor's gaze moved to Jayce's, hoping to glance at him looking at the tree.

Jayce face was illuminated in festive lights, smiling warmly at him, rather than the lights that turned on moments ago. Their eyes both caught, for a rare moment. 

Viktor just then felt an indescribable fire in his chest. Hot and insatiable.  He looked away; still smiling as the parade began... His cheeks hot. He might of just had a horrible realization

This was the happiest he had ever been in a while, he realized.

It really was a time to celebrate. 

Viktor squeezed his hand, before pointing to the band as they rolled through. Jayce turned his gaze, watching Viktor pick out all the instruments and characters, occasionally laughing at any snide jokes he slid in. 

On the way home, the two of them decided it would appropriate to grab a couple drinks to celebrate the hardship of their research. 

One cup of hard eggnog later, and two drinks of spiked hot chocolate each, Viktor practically stumbled into Jayce's apartment, a giggling mess as he held onto his cane. 

Jayce found himself a bit buzzed, but not as drunk as Viktor found himself. Apparently he was a lighterweight than him.

"Easy, don't fall—" Jayce said, laughing and snorting at Viktor leaned on his Cane, nearly tripping. 

"Whhhy did they even put a ssstep there?" Viktor slurred, referring to the doors entryway while walking and laughing as he leaned against jayce's counter, having a hard time standing up properly.  He found even that hilarious. 

Jayce found Viktor's giggles and laughs just as intoxicating as the drinks, now  plucking him off from leaning onto the counter, now instead leaning on Jayce. 

"I... should ...drinnnk more." Viktor said while leaning Jayce, his hands lingering on his arms.  "SsSo much fun, right now. Yes." He told Jayce, causing his buzzed friend to nearly trip as Viktor placed all his weight into the buzzed Jayce.  "Gimme... Another one."

"No,... You shouldn't. " Jayce answered, moving to sit his friend down on his couch. Viktor had definitely gotten too carried away in his excitement about the holiday and his research. 

"Why is it... 90... In here..." Viktor complained, sliding off his coat slowly and tugging on his turtleneck.

"It's 65... Vik. Viktor. Viktorino."

"....*snort.*" 

The two of them laughed hard at Jayce's impromptu nickname, before Jayce started to walk away to get them both water. He could tell Viktor would have a horrific hangover. 

Just then, Jayce felt something cold on his torso; halting his place. 

 It was Viktor's cane, stopping him from going anywhere, as jayce was dragged Jayce two steps back with his cane. 

"Where..." — Viktor laughed again, snickering. "Are you going?" 

"Getting water.." Jayce said. 

"I decline... Youuu... You should. .  . Stay here."  Viktor said, leaning forward, looking up at Jayce with particularly firey eyes. 

Jayce squinted. If he wasn't buzzed he would of took this as Viktor flirting with him. 

Jayce seriously considered this.

"Water." He decided, only to feel Viktor try and drag him back again with his cane. 

He escaped, much to Viktor's dismay. 

"Come back ... Jay." Viktor said, while leaning on the arm of the couch, reaching in his direction with a slender hand. 

Jayce stayed strong, albeit finding his face hot. Hearing Viktor call for him certainly was ... Something. But it wasn't like that anyway. Right?

Jayce returned with a cup of water, standing Infront of Viktor, which appeared to be a fatal mistake, as Viktor grabbed his tie, pulling him down abruptly and smiling while staring into his golden eyes with a stupid smile. 

"You.... Youuuu returned.~" he said, causing Jayce to stare at him with wide eyes, just as Viktor smoothed out Jayce's coat and let go of his tie, smiling to himself as he let his hands dance on Jayce's torso... Something he would never dream about doing sober.

"How are... You... *Hic." ... So strong?" Viktor mumbled, not noticing how Jayce got so quiet.  

...

"You're drunk." Jayce told him, before pulling away and smiling, instead petting his hair.  "Why don't you sleep, and I can tell you in the morning."

Viktor seemed to seriously debate this, before nodding slowly. That seemed appropriate. 

He then scooted over, making room for Jayce on the couch. 

"... I think I'll sleep in my room." Jayce decided, albeit very tempting. Viktor seemed distraught by this news, but didn't say anything. Jayce silently covered him up while Viktor sulked. 

"I'll miss you..." Eventually Viktor said, watching Jayce move to his room. Jayce paused in his steps, smiling some. 

"I'll miss you too, Vik." He slurred, before walking into his bedroom and flopping over. 

Jayce woke up as sunlight filtered through his bedroom window, giving a stretch and rubbing his forehead.  As he looked over, he found Viktor, curled up to his side and fast asleep. 

He must have crawled in at some point... Awh. 

He petted Viktor's hair, watching his eyebrows twitch and knit in his sleep.  He had a slight headache... Vaguely he remembered last night ... Viktor had gotten pretty drunk last night.

He was still in his outfit from last night, minus his shoes and brace. His hair was an absolute mess. 

He'd make sure to offer him a change of clothes and a shower so he didn't need to do the walk of shame to his place downstairs. However brief that was. 

Viktor suddenly groaned in annoyance while moving his hand to his head.

Yeah... Definitely hungover. 

Jayce continued to pet his hair, before getting the aspirin off his table ready. 

Viktor slowly sat up; looking especially grumpy and groggy this morning. His eyes settled on the window, then on Jayce... Then back to the bed. ... Then quickly back at Jayce. 

He squinted. 

"Morning." Jayce greeted, watching Viktor trying to piece everything together. 

"I was drunk.'

"Very."

Viktor then rubbed his eyes, looking around some more around Jayce's room. He gazed at the photo of his family hanging above the door, along with the plants and sun catcher in the window.  Even the comforter was a nice white. 

Jayce himself had changed into pajamas — a large T-shirt and sweats. It was the first time Viktor had seen him in casual clothing like this.  He could see his arms properly. 

Viktor squinted, before looking away. Jayce then poured a cup of water from a decanter that sat on his nightstand alongside with aspirin, before handing it to Viktor, who gratefully took it. 

"I had... Fun last night." Viktor decided. 

"I can tell." Jayce answered, smiling some as he recalled all the laughter and looks they shared last night. His favorite being the tree, and walking into the shops with Viktor.

  "I did too."

Chapter Text

Jayce took some aspirin himself, before moving to walk to his dresser, selecting a T-shirt and a pair of sweats. 

He held them out, before looking past it towards Viktor. 

...

It would definitely be oversized. 

He then walked over, offering Viktor the change of clothes, before sitting besides him and sitting crissed crossed on the bed. 

Jayce then pointed to the bathroom. 

"You can get changed and take a shower if you want." Jayce offered, before Viktor nodded, rubbing his eyes with his fingers. 

"Why ... did I do that to myself...?" Viktor complained, causing Jayce to shrug and grin sleepily. He seemed a bit solemner today. 

"It was definitely the eggnog."

"Definitely the egg nog. " Viktor agreed, nodding resolutely.  Slowly, he stood up, stretching some before standing up. 

... "Ehm ...  Sorry for... ... " Viktor started, as he vaguely gestured with his freehand. 

"Crawling into my bed in your outside clothes?" Jayce said, obviously joking as he leaned forward and pressed his elbows into his knees. 

"... Yes. That." Viktor decided, staring back at Jayce, before looking away.

"You're fine, Vikt." Jayce answered, giving him two thumbs up before folding his hands. "I see I've spoiled you when you sleep." He joked, watching Viktor's eyes widen some before he cleared his throat. 

"I'm fully capable of sleeping alone —" He started to argue, before marching his way into the bathroom; taking his time as he leaned on Jayce's nightstand, then the wall, then the doorframe. 

He closed the door behind him; before staring at his very ghastly reflection. Viktor touched his hair, finding it an absolute mess.  He heard jayce comment "sure." From the other side, causing him to roll his eyes.

Viktor softly placed the articles of clothing he had received from Jayce onto the sink counter; looking at the various items that sat nearby on it. 

A black comb, a toothbrush... Cinnamon toothpaste...  His eye caught in a yellow prescription bottle, leaning forward to read it's label clearly.

Antidepressants. 

He then stood up straight, thoughtfully. He really hoped Jayce wasn't drinking on those...   And if he wasn't, did he skip it? Then again, he really didn't know much more it's effects on Jayce, but he did make the mental note not to ask him to drink again... 

Viktor's eyes looked around the bathroom once more as he turned on the shower; moving to sit on the lip of the tub after he got undressed. In the bathtub as he sat on the edge, Viktor suddenly finally realized why Jayce hadn't been shaving. 

There was no razor anywhere in here. Viktor pursed his lips at the implications, looking back at the small yellow bottle in the corner.

How such a small thing to some could mean so much to others.

Viktor slowly stood up as he stood in the hot water; holding onto the wall for support. 

He reached over to grab a small bottle of shampoo off the shower shelf.

 Sandalwood. 

Viktor stared at it for a while, before pouring it in his palm and sniffing it. The smell... was like a punch to the face of how Jayce smelled. Viktor found himself secretly delighted, albeit he wasn't sure why.

He really needed to dive into his psychology one of these days but ... He was sort of scared of the answers there. 

Viktor closed his eyes as he scrubbed his hair, unknowingly smiling to himself, before washing his body off as well. 

After a few minutes, he stepped out; using a soft towel to wipe his face and shoulders body off. Viktor made a note that when you were using someone else's belongings, it sort of felt luxurious. 

He pulled the shirt Jayce had loaned him, as well as the sweats... He was not too shocked to find clothes and especially the pants were much too large for him. 

Still, they were incredibly comfortable. Viktor pulled the drawstrings as tight as he could, before drying his hair off and exiting back to the bedroom. 

He solemnly and quietly made the note to be concerned if Jayce ever shaved his face. 

He found the bedroom was empty, and the bed made, but he could smell food. Viktor shuffled his way out, moving to pick off his cane off the couch before making his way slowly to the kitchen where His partner seemed busy cooking away a breakfast meal. 

Hearing Viktor's cane caused him to look over, smiling widely as his golden eyes seemed to dart across Viktor. He was pretty sure he hadn't seen Viktor ever in a regular T-shirt...

But for some reason, Viktor standing sleepily in *his* clothes...

 Jayce burnt his hand on the pan. He really, REALLY needed to stop burning his fingers. 

"Ow." He mumbled, his attention caught by the eggs he was frying. 

"Watch yourself." Viktor chided, moving to stand beside him as he cooked. There, Viktor stared silently at him; only causing Jayce to try and stare harder at the eggs; his face a bit red. 

"...Yes?" He asked Viktor, who innocently shrugged. 

"I'm not sure." He answered, lying... placing his hand on Jayce's forearm. ... "I have a question."

Jayce slid the eggs onto two plates. His being Sunnyside and Viktor's being scrambled. He looked over, slightly confused at Viktor's very serious face. 

",, ask away?" Jayce said, setting the pan down and moving to drop two slices of bacon into it. 

He finally looked over as Viktor kept staring at him; almost unblinking. — something he did, Jayce noticed, when he was trying to find the words to say. 

"... Will you continue being my partner?" Viktor said, after some silence. 

Jayce gave pause, trying to process exactly what Viktor meant. "I... Uh. You... Elaborate."

"We finished the research... Will you still... Be here? With me? As.." 

Jayce stared at him, watching Viktor struggle with trying to identify the proper terminology. 

He placed his thick hand on Viktor's shoulder, causing Viktor to silence his struggle. 

"Are you asking if I'll still be your friend now that we're finished with the research?"Jayce helped him. 

Slowly Viktor clasped his hands, nodding slightly and slowly at him. 

"I... Find that I enjoy... ... " Viktor trailed off. Usually Jayce would help Viktor finish his sentences whenever he struggled... But this time, he didn't. 

"I enjoy you. — ehm — your company... I don't... ... "

Jayce waited patiently, now quietly smiling to himself as Viktor explained how he felt. It was a rare situation. 

"want you — us— to stop being friends if we're not longer research partners." Viktor concluded, now holding onto his cane for dear life. He cleared his throat. 

For some reason he was half tempted to hit Jayce's obnoxiously pretty face with his cane and run away. Albeit he wasn't sure why. — Maybe it was because Jayce was still smiling as he dropped two more pieces of bacon into the pan. 

"Let me consider." Jayce joked, looking over through the corner of eyes, only to see Viktor slowly raise his cane. He laughed, throwing his hands up in the air defensively. "I'm joking!!!! I'm joking." He swore. 

Viktor grinned slightly as he reached over to steal a slice of cooked bacon. 

"That isn't ready,—"

"I find myself lacking the ability to, per say, care?" Viktor replied, as he stuck it into his mouth. 

Finally, jayce  answered his question seriously. 

"Of course, I'd still like to be your friend, Viktor. You do know you're... One of my best friends, right?"

Viktor seemed to pause his chewing as he reflected on those words. 

"I suppose I hold similar affections." He answered.

Jayce smiled at his answer. If Viktor knew he found his affections slightly higher... How would he react?  

He then turned himself back to making breakfast. He supposed he was fine with letting himself be silent for eternity. He never wanted to jeopardize the comfort he had found with Viktor. 

Viktor stole another piece of bacon off the plate, causing Jayce to try and grab his hand while laughing exasperatedly. "Enough!"

Viktor, the now renowned bacon snatcher; shuffled away with his Viktor-y

He then sat down, sipping his water to ease his headache, before sighing in relief... Knowing that Jayce would stick around his side, just a little longer. 

--••--

Viktor held the journal outline to his chest, for a moment in silence as he stood Infront of heimerdinger's office; taking a deep breath. 

In this notebook — was the collective sum of all his and Jayce's research, simplified in a easy to way to read. 

Jayce placed a hand on Viktor's shoulder, before placing it on his back. 

"Viktor?" He asked, softly. "Are you ready?"

Never had he seen Viktor look so... Anxious wasn't the correct word, neither was worried. More like... he was almost at peace that the worse was going to happen. 

He looked over at Jayce, opening his eyes. He nodded silently.

Their research could hold progress for the world... But came with could be horrible consequences.

"Here goes nothing." Jayce said as he opened the door. 

--•••--

"As you can see, the discovery of this suspended photon could mean significant changes in the way we go about our daily lives... This is a discovery that ultimately will change the course of history." Jayce concluded, as he set down a small container on Heimerdinger's desk. Slowly, he took off the cloth, revealing the discovery. 

Heimerdinger was in awe, as he bent down to observe it. "Absolutely... Incredible! Incredible!!" Heimerdinger applauded. "I cannot believe it!" 

He then looked over to the two men standing in his office. Their proud faces looking back at him. 

"And you discovered this here, in the lab?!" He went on. 

Viktor nodded, before giving Jayce a relieved look as Heimerdinger took the news well. 

That didn't last long, however, as the professor flipped through the notes, reviewing the charge rates. 

"... These are awfully high for splicing one particle." He said... Flipping the page. 

Viktor pursed his lips. He was afraid of this. 

"We... Thought... Eeh- maybe we could it in similar ways like we harvest combustion energy." Viktor said, thoughtfully, hoping Heimerdinger didn't bring up the dreaded question. 

"... What would happen if one were to splice one particle in half?" He asked the two boys, as his gaze turned suddenly serious. 

Viktor, opened his mouth, before closing it. Just then did Jayce step Infront of Viktor to defend his research. 

"We're not sure, — but!!! let's focus on the positive things here." Jayce suggested, as he flipped the page for the possible uses of their outcomes.  "Faster data transmission, paired with technical receptors we can make machines and even nanotechnology — which would be beneficial to the medical field! Or even the power industry! It's almost free energy!"

"And, maybe this could be used in similar ways to nuclear fusion." Viktor chimed in, hopefully, pointing to the paper. 

Heimerdinger closed the book, nearly on Jayce's hand. 

"You two... Are brilliant young men. But... You must know if the dangers this poses if it gets out in the open, correct?.. this could easily create... Weapons of mass destruction." 

Viktor turned around, hearing the dreaded words. 

Jayce still tried to defend it. Defend Viktor. 

"We don't know that, professor! Please, me and Viktor have spent so long perfecting this. Think of all the good! —"

"It's a double edged sword, my boy! As much good as there is... There comes a price from knowledge. Do you think the world would be ready for this? While there's conflicts?" Heimerdinger argued back.

"At least let us see if there's even any danger!" Viktor replied, trying to advocate for himself. For Jayce. Their work. He turned around, placing his hands on his desk. "We don't know."

"That's precisely why we should halt this until we know for sure, Viktor. You should know this. After all, you're my assistant." Heimerdinger said, staring at his pupil with concerned eyes. He had never seen Viktor so riled up.  "It's only temporarily."

"The process of getting this reviewed by the council could take  years." Jayce said, before removing his hands off the desk. "Progress should happen now!"

"I want a second opinion." Jayce added, looking at the research book information of him. "I don't understand. You give us the— the chance — to study. To research. And once we find answers, you just shut us down."  

This all felt too familiar to Jayce. 

"Jayce."

"Jayce, son, while appreciate your enthusiasm you must understand that this can't be released." Heimerdinger said, keeping cool headed as he watched Jayce get visibly upset. Viktor seemed to get quieter.

"My enthusiasm?? My enthusiasm???" Jayce said in disbelief, holding out his hand to Viktor, vaguely gesturing to him. "This is Viktor's entire collective research! He has dedicated himself to this! This is his legacy!" 

"Jayce." Viktor said, placing his hand on his shoulder and looking at him sternly. 

Viktor looked back to the professor. 

"Professor, what should we do." He asked, softly. 

Heimerdinger closed his eyes, obviously agitated at Jayce's outbursts. 

"I'll bring it to the council to decide, soon! This is just temporary. As for now, I'm prohibiting the two of you from continuing any furthermore research until we have authorized ..... "

Viktor closed his eyes; easily drowning out the words he had dreaded to hear into soft mumbles into the background. 

Now what?

"Viktor?"

Viktor opened his eyes, shaking his head slightly, before turning and exiting the room. 

...

--••--

As Viktor arrived to the lab a bit later, he paused to find that things had already began being confiscated. 

"You're not allowed to enter." 

"Viktor!" Said a voice behind him, causing Viktor to pause and turn as the man Infront of him continued to block his way forward. Jayce. 

"Viktor... Are you okay?..." Jayce asked, holding his shoulders and looking into his eyes, before looking up at the... Enforcer.

An enforcer was blocking their way. Jayce gritted his jaw, feeling unpleasant memories bubble to the surface. 

"Can we just grab our belongings?" Jayce tried. 

"I have three things I want to grab, please." Viktor said to the talk and stubborn enforcer guarding the door. 

He seemed reluctant to listen. 

"Tell me."

"It's in the top drawer of the desk. It was a piece of chalk, a pair of glasses, and a pocket watch." Viktor told the enforcer. He nodded slightly, before walking into the lab and fetching the items. 

The enforcer investigated the three items carefully, before placing it into Viktor's hand. 

"Don't come back here again, or I'll be forced to notify the dean." Said the enforcer, before he stepped into the lab, and closed the door behind him. 

Viktor looked at the items in his hands, staying extra quiet as he ran his thumb over the glasses. 

Jayce didn't pry, but it felt like those items were something he held dear. He wondered why he kept them around. 

Slowly, Viktor began walking away from the lab, not speaking a word.

"Viktor?" Jayce tried, walking side by side by him. "Viktor... Talk to me." Jayce said. 

"There's nothing to say." Viktor said, looking up at him, standing now in the observatory hall.

The afternoon light gently reflected off the tiled floors which depicted the night skies. The overcast weather of the clouds made it feel as if they were in a vastness of white. 

"Viktor..." Jayce said, now standing Infront of him, placing a hand on his shoulder and shaking his head. "I can... Tell that you're upset." Jayce said; watching Viktor turn his face down to the objects in his hands. 

He looked at them like was searching for an answer, before holding up A piece of chalk. 

He ran his thumb over it, before looking up and at jayce. 

"You gave this to me..." 

Jayce stayed quiet. 

"At first, I placed it into the drawer of my first desk... because I felt as I didn't need it." Viktor spoke, now twirling it in his fingers. "But... I started seeing it everyday in my drawer... I let it sit there as I looked at my personal belongings. I slowly got attached to it; and I couldn't find the will to use it, as it brought me companionship. I thought of it... As a funny thing. "Ah, yes, the piece of chalk is still here"... "Ah yes, despite everything, here is the chalk..." My own sort of... Personal joke. " Viktor continued. "Then it became a sort of... Reliable thing, in a sense. I knew the chalk would be there. No matter what. The joke became comforting. A sense of normalcy... Even now, I can't use it now. It became sentimental." Viktor said. 

He then abruptly snapped the chalk in half, much to Jayce's horrified surprise as he just talked about this dear piece of chalk. 

He slowly grabbed Jayce's hand, before placing it softly it jn Jayce's palm.

"... I'm not sure how else to say this, but the chalk, in a way, ... Reflected my affections towards you, Jayce." 

Jayce was silent, holding onto his half tightly. 

"And ... Why did you just give me half of it?..." He decided to ask. 

"I'm not sure." Viktor answered, genuinely. "I thought... Maybe you needed it." 

"Did I need it? Or did you want to give it to me?"

Viktor silently lamented on this, before nodding quietly. 

"I wanted to give it to you..." 

Jayce nodded, looking at the piece of chalk. How funny, how something you could give away on a whim, could be so significant to others. 

"Thank you, for sharing." Jayce said, after some reflection. 

"Place it in a drawer." Viktor said, turning to walk away; looking away. 

"Viktor...?" 

Viktor paused, looking back. Jayce searched his face silently 

... 

"I don't think I want to leave you alone right now." Jayce decided, walking behind Viktor as he walked. "I've been in your situation."

"You should."

"No... I don't... ... Viktor." He tried, turning Viktor around to look at him by grabbing his shoulder.

He knew now why Viktor seemed distant. 

In that instant he turned Viktor around, he saw his entire vulnerable truth, as Viktor looked down and gritted his teeth. His eyes were watery.

"Don't — look at me. You don't need to see me like this." 

Jayce held his hands on his shoulder, not letting him escape. 

"Viktor."

"Stop saying my name. Stop — Trying to figure me out, Jayce. Stop insisting —"

Jayce shook his head, just as Viktor tugged his way out of his hold and started to walk again. 

"Just — tell me how you're feeling, Vik! You don't have to — do this! To suffer by yourself. I'm right here!" Jayce pleaded. "I know you're upset, just tell me how you're feeling—"

Viktor turned around his eyes snapping and his voice coming out louder than he had ever expected himself to allow. 

"I DONT KNOW!" he shouted, before placing his hand in his hair, running his fingers through it... slightly astonished at his own anger. But then words seemed to fall from his mouth quicker than he could formulate cohesively... Unlike usual. 

"I don't know, jayce. Upset. I'm upset. NOTHING has ever gone my way. My YEARS of research are now in the hands of the council; to be judged if deemed worthy. Safe enough. I have dedicated YEARS to build myself a legacy — before my body starts to ROT. " Viktor said, tossing his cane to the side; it made a harsh clank sound from the large acoustics of the observatory room. "Up to now, my life has only been in the hands of others. Even now. My own..." Viktor trailed off, finally biting his tongue as he held his hands out in defeat. "Why bother?..." 

Jayce stood there, in stunned silence, before his soft footsteps could be heard as he practically ran over, tackling Viktor into a tight hug. 

"Oh, Viktor..." He said. He pressed his face into his soft hair, rubbing his back as he felt his friend tremble in his arms. He rested his chin there, feeling a wet spot on his chest. 

He didn't mind. 

"You don't need a legacy... Viktor... You just need to live..." He told him. "For yourself... Not the ghosts before you... You don't... Need to prove yourself, Viktor."

"stop it." Viktor said, into his chest. He felt Viktor's grip tighten around him.  Jayce shook his head. 

"No... I'll be right here.  Believe me... I understand what you're going through. What you were just thinking about... You're my chalk too... If I can be your support..."

"Stupid." Viktor said, sniffling into his chest... He laughed sadly, between another sniff. "Trying to say ridiculous poetic words in a time like this... Like we are in some sort of... Stupid book."

[Sweats;;]

Jayce snorted, slowly pulling away, before offering Viktor a tissue from his bag. 

He turned around, wiping his eyes as to not be seen.

"Don't look at me." He mumbled. 

Jayce slowly fetched him his cane that he had tossed. 

"I can't."

He then walked with Viktor slowly to the elevators. 

--••--

"It'll be alright, Viktor." 

Viktor didn't answer, only because he had definitely used the rest of his energy on the act of his sudden outburst. He felt like a fool.

Jayce opened the door to Viktor's apartment. He slowly took a step in. after realizing Viktor said nothing, he closed the door behind him. 

"Wanna sleep it off?"

"Yes." Viktor answered, quietly, as he stared at the ground. 

Jayce nodded slowly; his eyes catching on some things on the counter. 

Jayce inspected them, before looking at Viktor.  It was a coffee press; however unlike the store bought one Jayce had been looking at the shops a few weeks ago, Viktor had seemingly handmade the contraption... It was fully automatic. On the side, was a singular red rose in a jar of water.... And a hardcover book of the book they had been reading together. 

"... They're... for  you... I apologize. I was ... Slightly hopeful things would of been better ..  they're thanks for all your work. " Viktor said, sitting down on the couch. 

He seemed numb..

Jayce looked over his gifts, smiling softly, before walking over to Viktor and sitting beside him gently. He'd investigate later. 

Viktor's gaze slid over to him, before he leaned against Jayce's side; staring blankly at the wall. 

Jayce closed his eyes, before wrapping his arm around Viktor. 

"Jayce."

"Yes?" 

"... Thank you."

"Of course."

...

"No one's seen me like this."

"That's okay."

...

"Jayce."

"...yes?"

"I think..... Nevermind." He said. 

Jayce nodded, before feeling a warm hand on the side of his head. Just then, he felt a peck to the temple to his head, causing Jayce's eyes to shoot open and his face turn bright red.

When he looked down to Viktor, his eyes were already closed and leaning against him once more. 

Jayce searched the wall for answers. Did he hallucinate that....????

Chapter Text

Jayce wasn't sure, or how, or when he started spending more time in Viktor's place then he did his own. 

It's been a few weeks now, where jayce would leave for classes, return home, then return to Viktor's place... Half the time, they ended up either reading or falling asleep. 

Now that Viktor had no research to focus on, he seemed a bit down — if not lost on what to do with himself. 

Today was different, though, and he opened the doors to try and step into the blistering cold. 

Only to be greeted by snow, taller than him. 

Hm. He supposed there was a blizzard. He hadn't checked the news in a while... It appeared they'd be snowed in for a while. 

Jayce checked his phone, only to see through his emails that school had been infact cancelled.

Hm.

Now what.

Jayce walked back to Viktor's apartment, finding him still fast asleep  on the couch.

Viktor wasn't a morning person. 

Jayce slid off his coat and gloves, before hanging his coat by the door, next to Viktor's. He set his classroom keys quietly down on the catch table before moving back to lay with Viktor on the couch. 

Slowly, he laid next to him.

"Viktor..."

"Mm..g." he replied. 

"There's a blizzard. We're stuck inside." Jayce said, slowly pulling him into his arms. 

Viktor sleepily wrapped his arms around his torso, still fast asleep. Jayce remained silent, as he gazed out the window. Snow almost reached it.

He looked over to the little heater they kept on at night, mostly because he would complain about the chill. 

Sometimes, when he had too time to think, he thought about when Viktor kissed his temple, and what it could of meant. 

He was too scared to ask, truthfully. 

... 

After cuddling with his "friend" for a while, he felt Viktor stir finally, rubbing his eyes before staring at Jayce silently. 

This was routine for Viktor, at this point, to stare at him for a good couple minutes before he became functional again. 

"Hi." Jayce greeted, softly.

Viktor rested his chin on Jayce's chest, before rubbing his eyes. 

"...You're still here."  He commented, with a mighty yawn. 

"There's a blizzard outside. I can't leave."  Jayce repeated. He found it endearing that Viktor would speak to him in his sleep, but never remembered what he said. 

"Mm... Good... Take the day off..."

"The news says we might be stuck inside for a while."

Viktor gave a big stretch, before rubbing his eyes and slowly sitting up, placing his hand on Jayce's chest as he did so. 

"How long?"

"Few days, at least."

"Mmm... That's a while... What will we do?" Viktor said, genuinely, as he stared out the window. Jayce soon sat up to look with him, side by side. 

"We could probably rest..." Jayce suggested. 

Viktor looked over, a sort of quiet fondness washing over him as they realized they were trapped. Together. 

Nowhere to really hide or run. 

"Are you tired?" He asked Jayce. He reached over, a little hesitantly at first, as his hand hovered over his cheeks, before gently holding his face — the same way Jayce would often do to him. 

Jayce blinked, before closing his eyes, nodding.

"A little."

Viktor scooted back, now pulling his friend's head into his lap. 

There, he pet back Jayce's soft brown hair, as he grabbed the new book he was reading off the back of the couch...  Jayce leaned into his hands, finding himself lulled into a quiet state of sleep. 

"Close your eyes for a bit.'" 

———

The next time he opened his eyes, it was strangely dark in the room;  Jayce sat up, finding himself covered by several blankets and still on the couch. As he gazed around, he found that candles lit up a decent amount in the room, creating a soft of enchanting, haunted look, to Viktor's apartment. 

Viktor stepped inside from outside the hallway, squinting at the silhouette of Jayce from the other side side of the room.

"Ah. Jayce. You were out for a while... The power went off." Viktor said, walking over as he sat next to him on the couch. He then pulled the covers around his shoulders tightly. "The lines are down."

"I just talked to Heimerdinger and the other teachers...we've all agreed to keep the lights off when possible, and keep the heaters on low to keep the generators running for as long as possible... It might get a bit cold, but we'll be okay; not freezing temperatures." He told him, while staring down at him.

Jayce didn't particularly seem like he enjoyed this development.  Viktor knew Jayce disliked three things. 1. The cold. 2. The winter 3. Anything mint flavored.

"If only there was a low cost energy source we could use." Jayce said, sarcastically, causing Viktor's eyes to squint as he grinned at his grumpiness. Apparently his disposition was rubbing off on hos companion. 

"There's a service tunnel connecting us the student dorms and the school if needed. Don't worry..." Viktor assured, before patting his head. "We're not going to freeze... -- Can I ask why you warry from the cold so?"

"... Mm... I was caught in a snow storm when I was young... With my mom.  Barely made it out... Then she got sick with my dad... You know the rest." He proceeded to explain, softly.  Jayce rubbed his face... His eyes flashed annoyance as he felt how overgrown his beard was.

Viktor nodded, moving for just a moment to touch Jayce's beard with two fingers, his gaze focusing on his lips chin. He ran his hand there for a moment.

"This needs trimmed." Viktor decided, as he grabbed Jayce's face to tilt his head.

Viktor felt him get tense. 

"I'm not really... Uh... I don't want to cut it.," he lied. 

"Relax." Viktor said, standing up and patting his shoulder. 

Viktor disappeared into the kitchen; Jayce stared at him in a confused manor before he disappeared behind the corner. 

He eventually returned, as he leaned against the walls to move; not using any support.  He held a pair of scissors.

He sat next to him. 

"Lift." Viktor told him, gently but firmly, as he placed a hand under his chin and pressed against it. 

Jayce found himself quietly obeying... Although hesitant. 

Viktor found it hard to do this in the dim lighting, so he moved to stand, only to sit on Jayce's knee and slightly push him back into the couch.  He held a cloth between him and Jayce to catch any trimmings as he set into work. 

"Why are you doing this, if I can ask?" Jayce asked In an amused tone of voice. 

"It's overgrown." Viktor said, matter of factly.  "And I can tell it bothers you." He added. 

Snip.

Jayce raised his eyebrows. "I can cut it myself." 

"No, you can't." Viktor said, firmly, looking into his eyes. Before resuming the meticulous work.  "...  You don't own a razor." Viktor added, softly. 

He then pulled away, turning Jayce's head in the other direction, before leaning forward again and resuming the small snips he made. 

He saw, from his position, the way Jayce dried swallowed under the dim lighting. Closing his eyes and furrowing his brow, as Viktor commented. 

He didn't answer, but his eyebrows furrowed even further. 

"I like you with your beard anyway. Far more suitable for you." Viktor said, reassuringly. 

Jayce opened his eyes once more, his gaze tender. 

"Thank you." He said, in full seriousness, looking at Viktor from the side as he worked away. 

"Only you." Viktor replied, slowly pulling away, before gently brushing his face and shirt off, collecting any mess. 

He stood up from his knee, using Jayce's shoulder as support before walking away. 

So Viktor knew about that...

He never told him... He must have figured it out on his own.

--••--

Boredom was becoming a problem, as day two settled in. Viktor paced around the room — even wearing his brace to do so. 

Jayce stepped in from out into the hallway, shivering. 

"It's so cold." He complained, watching Viktor pause in his steps as he gazed at Jayce. He looked visibly relieved to see him. 

"I'm so bored. " Viktor replied. He was running out of puzzles to do. Viktor marched over, gently grabbing his hand and closing the door behind Jayce. 

Jayce looked around. This was cleanest he had seen Viktor's apartment.

Jayce held out some gallons of water. 

"The pipes froze, but not the one in the academy; so me and the other teachers went and distributed it to the kids." Jayce said, slowly setting the gallons down.  "We used the utility tunnel."

He poured some fresh water in a bowl on the ground for Viktor's cat, who was comfortably laying in front of the small heater.

Viktor stared at him rather intensely. 

"You must satiate my boredom immediately... Create me some complex equations I can solve."

"Hm... Em=c^2?"

"I did that already."

"It's only day two." Jayce laughed, seeing how antsy Viktor was. It was getting cold. The heaters were only on enough to keep it liveable, not comfortable. 

Jayce moved with Viktor as he dragged him to sit with him on the floor with him; pulling out a deck of cards off the table.  It looked like he had been in the middle of solitaire. 

"Have you ever played war?" Viktor asked. 

Jayce nodded in amusement. 

"Good." 

So the pair sat there for a good few hours, playing various card games into the night. 

Eventually, Viktor placed his head onto the coffee table. 

"I can't do this." He complained. 

" What? Be bored?" 

"Yes. I might become homicidal." Viktor said,  now looking at Jayce and raising his eyebrows. Jayce quickly raised his hands defensively. 

"You can't kill me. You have to save me for last."

Viktor pretended to debate this. 

"Mmm... Fine." Viktor joked, as he gathered his cards.

Jayce stood up, placing his hands on his hips as he brainstormed what to do. 

"Oh— pillow fort."  He suggested. 

"How childish." Viktor replied; already moving to stand.

"We can sleep in it! Plus we'll be warmer." Jayce suggested. 

Despite Viktor's chiding, he seemed rather pleased by the idea as he moved to take off the cushions off the couch, beginning to use it alongside the table to create a sort of fort. 

An hour or so later, the two had constructed a pillow fort using far too much engineering involved. 

"I used to do this as a kid." Jayce said, as he scooted the heater into the entrance of the tent; further enough away so it wasn't a fire hazard. 

Viktor stood back to observe their work. The fort could comfortably fit the two of them, alongside a plethora of snacks and a plethora of blankets to keep them both warm tonight. 

Jayce even went to go fetch his own couch cushions from upstairs, finding the highest rooms were somehow actually more cold than the ones insulated by the snow. 

"I must say, this is more like a pillow castle." Viktor said, as he playfully elbowed jayce, who had decided to change into his pajamas while up there, essentially bringing with himself a care basket.

"It's beautiful."

"Maybe I should of been an architect rather than a researcher." Viktor said, smiling to himself. 

Jayce laughed, before ducking and crawling into the fort. 

"It's so warm in here!" 

Viktor slowly leaned down, before crawling in and sighing at the comfortable warmth he had not felt in days besides sleeping with Jayce. 

Viktor curled up to him almost immediately. 

"Adequate." He joked, as Jayce ruffled up his hair. 

"It's okay to be childish." Jayce told him.

"You would say that." Viktor joked.

--••--

Day three. 

Soft music played on the counter; just enough to cut the silence as he sat there. 

Viktor was bored again. So bored, he now stared at the flames of a candle, deeply loss with what he dreaded the most. 

His own thoughts. 

"V?"

...

"Viik..."

...

"Runtera to Viktor." 

Viktor looked up from the candle; blinking slowly as Jayce moved to sit next to him at the counter of the kitchen as he leaned his elbow onto the bar counter. 

"You good?" Jayce asked, watching Viktor place his head in his hand after a moment. 

"Bored. So bored I've become complacent." 

Jayce nodded. Cabin fever, as they called it. 

"You seemed lost in thought."

" I was."

"...What were you thinking about?" 

Viktor looked at him, before back at the candle that rested on the table. It was the candle jayce had given him. He had tried too long not to burn it, but here it was. Viktor stared at it silently.

Jayce leaned forward to rest his elbows at the bar counter, watching Viktor's slender face illuminated by the flickering flame; as if he was searching for answers. 

"I didn't want to burn this." Viktor said, before dipping his finger into the melted wax. He pulled it away, and it seemingly instantly solidified around his fingers. 

He did it once more, before taking the wax off with his thumb. 

...

Finally, Viktor answered. 

"How come you're still... Around me."

"That's a ridiculous question... I give you another one. Why are you still around me?"

"Mm." Viktor answered; looking over to his snow covered window.  It was so dark in the room. Just them, in the dim candlelight. 

...

"Exactly." Jayce answered. 

...

Viktor's gaze slid over to Jayce quietly again. Jayce silently met his gaze, as their faces were illuminated by the candle. 

There was something sort of... Thick in the air. Viktor couldn't place it. Perhaps it was the boredom... Or the fact they had grown inseparable. He could almost name it. Almost taste it.

He looked away, before he did something stupid, as Jayce quietly hummed to the new song that began to play. 

✿

"Oh I know... -- Hey, V,...  wanna dance?" Jayce said, standing up and offering him a hand; as the soft music from Viktor's phone continued to softly play in the background. 

Viktor stared at him with a crooked smile and shaking his head in disbelief. 

Still.

"You.. are insane." He told Jayce, still smiling. He took his hand, slowly standing up. "Are you really that bored?"

"Boredom tends to drive most people insane." Replied jayce, as he gave a joking wink. 

—What if the truth is required but your tongue is dry and you can't get it out now?

"I don't know how to dance." Viktor confessed, still slowly taking Jayce's other hand and smiling to himself at how sheer dumb this was. How childish. 

 
—What if you're floating away but you get too high and you can't come back down?

"I'll teach you. It's easy!" Jayce replied, grinning now as he took a step forward, causing Viktor to take a step back.  "Now left. — has no one danced with you before?"

—Up, up and away, looking back at the rest of the flocks to the down, down back

"No...no one has. No one asks the guy with a bad leg, Jayce." Viktor replied smiling wryly, taking a step to the left laughing some as he tried not to step on Jayce's feet... He then took a step forward toward Jayce. This took all of his concentration.  "You... are the first." He hummed.

—What if you oughta go home but you bump again, and you bump again.

"You're pretty good." Jayce answered, taking a step back, before humming softly along the song.  "You listen to the songs I send you?"

"You're listening to it, right?" Viktor answered.  Jayce laughed, spinning Viktor around, albeit slowly, causing him to laugh suddenly. "Easy--!"

— Most of us just won't make it

Jayce laughed too, before Viktor stepped on his feet, causing both of them to laugh as Jayce held up Viktor's hand up, trying not to let him fall; his other hand rested on Viktor's back to save him. 

— Most of us just gotta fake it.

Viktor moved his free hand to grab on Jayce's arm, almost tripping when Jayce took a step forward into him. 

— But ninety's close and

"Jayce -- Do not even dare let me —"

Jayce was smiling ear to ear, laughing breathlessly as he stared at Viktor; his cheeks a nice red as some pretty brown hair fell into his golden eyes.  The candlelight seemed to dance in his pupils. Full of life.

"... Fall. "

—Ninety nine is almost true.

"... Vik?" Jayce asked, watching the way Viktor's face shifted from smiling, to nervous, before smiling wider again.

"I think I might do something stupid." Viktor said, as Jayce stood him up on his feet tilting his head innocently...; just as Viktor suddenly closed the space between him and Jayce. 

—Ninety nine and a half, just won't do.

Jayce's eyes widened, feeling soft lips against his own chapped ones. jayce paused to process it...  before he closed his eyes and closed the rest of the space between him and Viktor, greeting his embrace like this was just a memory. The dreams that haunted him at his loneliness nights coming in reality. 

Viktor let the rest of the lyrics of the song fade in the background, as he quietly wrapped his arms around Jayce's neck;  pulling him down, smiling some as Jayce took another step into him, pressing him between him and the counter. 

Viktor felt his fingers tangle into his soft hair for a moment, as his thumb pressed the spot between his ear and jaw.. Holding his face.

Briefly they both pulled away, both gasping for air in surprise.  Viktor stared up at him with wide, ashamed eyes, waiting for Jayce to... Step away. To change his mind. To be disgusted with him. 

The only eyes that greeted Viktor's... We're kind. Soft. Loving. Warm. 

...

 How long did Jayce wait?

Viktor laughed, quietly at first, as he leaned into the hand that held his face, just for Jayce to laugh back. Both of their laughter got a little louder before Jayce leaned forward and pressed his nose to Viktor's, grinning ear to ear. 

No words had to be said. 

Jayce kissed him again.

Chapter Text

-----

"How long?"

"Hm?"

"How long did you suffer with your feelings?" Viktor said, gently setting a mug of black coffee down Infront of his partner. 

It was the one from before, from the holiday. 

Jayce stared at the mug, before looking sheepishly, taking it into his hands. The snow outside was starting to melt, revealing the sun beginning to shine through the window. 

Still, one more day, they didn't have anywhere to go.

Jayce seemed a bit timid, if not shy at the question, opting to drink the warm coffee. The heaters were on today, making it quite comfortable for once over the course of the blizzard. Viktor had set the couch to its usual way and dismantled their fort. 

He cleared his throat, before sipping on his coffee, avoiding the question. "It's... Not really that important."

"No, no, let us discuss. " Viktor continued to prod, smiling as he leaned in closer to Jayce's face — finding that there was now no boundaries between him and himself now. 

Jayce visibly dry swallowed, before sipping on his coffee. 

"Are you planning to harass me from here on out?" Jayce said, exasperatedly, as Viktor continued to stare at him with a shit eating smirk. 

"Do I not already?"

"Fair point."

"You weren't supposed to agree." Viktor said, before sitting up properly and leaning into the couch, next to Jayce. 

Viktor seemed rather pleased with himself — the outcome of himself and Jayce.  Last night had been fun... They had kissed, danced, before eventually falling asleep on the couch, his legs tangled with Jayce's. 

He'd do it all over again. 

"What about you?" Jayce asked, a bit shyly as he stared into his coffee cup. Viktor found it endearing he was a bit shy. 

"Hm... I'm not sure... It, sort of happened." Viktor answered. "... Somewhere between..."

Viktor closed his eyes, deep in thought. 

"When you gave me your coat... And when we saw the lights." He decided, now leaning on Jayce as he picked up a book off the arm of the couch.

...

The two of them fell into a sort of awkward silence. Although, Jayce wouldn't exactly call it awkward — as the atmosphere tingled with a sort of electric feeling, as they both thought about each other, but too timid to make another move. 

...

"Uh. We,, should ..."

"Hm?" Viktor asked, flipping a page through his book. 

"Go watch a movie or something." Jayce decided, nodding to himself. 

"Are you asking me on a date, Jayce?" Viktor asked; already flipping the page. 

"Uh.. yes, actually. I am." Jayce admitted, causing Viktor to slowly look up from his pages and raise his eyebrows. He searched Jayce's face. 

"Was the coffee and the parade, not dates?" Viktor teased, nothing that technically they weren't. But they had felt like it. 

He watched Jayce's face turn entirely red as he struggled. "Nonono— it wasn't like—"

"But they were "like that" , weren't they?" 

Jayce set his coffee down, leaning away to put his head into his hands, causing Viktor to chuckle, dragging him back up to sit next to him. 

He never knew how shy Jayce was! At least when he was confronted with his romance. 

"Yes, Jayce, I would enjoy a romantic outing with you, if you'll have me." Viktor answered, before leaning against him to read his book. "But I expect you to actually properly court me." He joked, as he put his legs up on the arm of the couch, smiling to himself as he set his head in Jayce's lap. 

"Really?" Jayce said, with an unamused - amused smile.

"Yes, really." 

"Why can't you court me?" Jayce said, as he looked down at Viktor, reading his book. "Have I not already?"

" One; you fell for me first.  Two; you're much more gentlemeny than I am. Three; who said I wasn't?"  Viktor said, licking the tip of his finger to flip the page in his book. 

Jayce looked distraught, but saw the opportunity to make this a competition. "I bet I can court you better."

Viktor snorted; his crooked smile revealing itself. 

"Are we making this a competition?" Viktor asked, finally setting his book down on his chest to look up at Jayce. 

"Yes. Yes we are." Jayce said, raising his strong eyebrows. 

Viktor gave him a smile of amusement. 

"What is my favorite flower?" 

Jayce paused in his smugness. "Uh.— Well, — it's uh."

"Yours are Lillies. White."

"How did you—"

"You keep some by your window. Several. Your shower curtain has white Lillies. Now, Jayce... What is my last name?"

"You never told me!—" he complained. This was an unfair competition. 

"You never told me, yet I know yours by observation.". Viktor hummed, now picking up his book once more. "Seems like I might win this competition."

Jayce playfully scoffed. 

"Oh yeah? What's my favorite color."

"White, Red, and Black." 

"..."

"I take it I'm right. What's mine?" Viktor asked, causing Jayce to frantically look around the room. 

"Oh— red!" He said, like a happy dog with a squeaky toy. This caused Viktor to grin to himself. 

"Good; yes Jayce. Maybe there's hope for you." Viktor said, reaching up and absentmindedly patting Jayce's shoulder. 

"Why won't you just tell me your last name and stuff?"

"What's the fun in that? I'd like to be spontaneously surprised." Viktor said. Flip. 

Jayce reached over, plucking out the book out of Viktor's hand. 

"I know it starts with a K."

Viktor gave him an annoyed look as his book was stolen. He tried reaching up for it. 

"Correct You do have some brains in that pretty face of yours." Viktor said, as he stretched to reach for the book.

Jayce stuck his tongue out at him playfully, before placing the book on Viktor's face. 

"No one refers to your last name, unlike mine."

"Maybe I do not have one." Viktor said, in his book, making no effort to take it off his face. 

"You definitely do... Do you not like your last name?" Jayce asked. 

Viktor shrugged from underneath the book. 

"It is hard to pronounce. I learned to not mention it."

"You think I can't pronounce it."

"Yes." Viktor answered. 

"... For some inexplicable reason, I feel like bullying you."

--••--

 "See you later, Jayce." Viktor said, leaning against his doorframe as Jayce stood Infront of him, dressed for teaching his classes. Viktor's arms were crossed, as he looked at Jayce fondly. 

"I got us the tickets to see that movie tonight." Jayce said, pulling out his phone to show him the two virtual tickets for tonight.

"Which movie is it?" Viktor asked. 

"That sci-fi one, where they're stuck on a planet. Cosmic ." 

"Hmmm.... Good choice." He said, slightly smiling up at Jayce as he pocketed the his phone. "Remember, Six."

"Six tonight." Jayce repeated, smiling down at him. Still he made no effort to move quite yet. Jayce was wearing a nice winter trench coat, along with his black button up and red tie, with a nice vest. 

Viktor slowly reached over; softly grabbing his tie, as if he was going to fix it. He then pulled him down to briefly kiss him softly on the lips. 

Jayce blinked at him; starstruck, as Viktor let go, before Viktor turned him around to face the hallway. 

"Six." Viktor said. 

".....six." Jayce repeated, slowly taking a step forward and looking back at Viktor with soft eyes. Viktor could almost see metaphorical sparkles in the air around him. So... Bright.......

"See you then."

Viktor closed the door on his face, before smiling victoriously to himself and leaning against the door. He had never been on a proper date... He found himself, quite excited...

 Funny. That despite all his knowledge of how the world worked — almost every equation was solvable to him.. he could surmise almost the creation of the universe. 

But he still got excited about... Love. Viktor knew the word now. It was love. And he was deep in the throws of it. It was exciting and simultaneously terrifying... 

He loved Jayce Talis, professor of Piltover Academy, and his research partner. 

Viktor covered his face with his hands, almost in disbelief that even himself craved affection. He thought himself better than that... All these years he had denied himself the pleasure of even trusting another person. But here, he was, getting ready for a date. 

...

Jayce had a hard time trying to focus on teaching; especially when all he could think about was the way Viktor looked last night. The way his face was lit in the dark, the soft music off his phone — the song he suggested over text — the candle was the one from the night of the parade. The mug Viktor gave him this morning was the one he gifted. Viktor wore his shirt to sleep in this morning —

"That's why light is important to the way the way the ecosystem works. Candlelight — uh, excuse me — light is a mysterious property we're coming to understand... ..."

The way he leaned forward to—... 

"... You know what? Let's just... play Runhoot. [Kahoot] " Jayce said while rubbing his face... , to his class of college students, who abruptly cheered in the change of lesson. 

After class, Jayce checked the time. 4:30. 

Okay.

He had a mission. Find out Viktor's favorite flower, his last name, and try and win this feud of romance. He would be victorious.

Haha. Viktorious.

Jayce walked in the halls of the academy; deep in thought as his steps echoed in the hall. 

Flowers... Viktor. Viktor wouldn't give him an impossible task — Viktor must of realized that he could figure it out. 

He went down his mental list of things Viktor enjoyed... 

Viktors garden; had roses.

He thought deeper and deeply, before realizing the flower that Viktor gave him as gifts was also a red rose. 

He suddenly paused. How did Viktor manage to get him roses if it was winter?...

Did Viktor... Buy him a rose? 

...

How could he be so blind to Viktor's obvious affection. How long did he wait???

So, red roses were his final guess. Now where to get them?

Jayce pocketed his hands, before deciding his best course of action was to hit the city. In a bit. 

The other thing, he still had to figure out Viktor's last name. Jayce wandered the halls absentmindedly, occasionally waving and smiling at one of his students. With the lab off limits, he'd have to result to other matters. 

Then, of course, he remembered the library existed. And, in the library, had records of every yearbook from over 100 years. 

Perfect! Viktor was an alumni. So, all he had to do was find Viktor. So Jayce began his walk to the library, making sure to keep an eye out on the time. 

By the time he arrived, it was almost 5:00. 

He walked up to the librarian at the front reception, watching her type away. 

"Hi, there Misses Young." He said, placing his hand gently on the desk to get her attention. She looked up, fixing her glasses and smiling. 

"Evening, Mr.Talis " She greeted, before facing him in her swivel chair. 

"I was wondering where you kept the yearbooks."

"Yearbooks?" She asked, while looking on her computer. She made a couple clicks. "They areeeee.... " She trailed off, before hitting enter.

"Ah, row 32. Has every year as well as all the academy news! Who knew." She said. 

Jayce nodded, giving her his thanks, before walking off to find the yearbooks. 

When he arrived, he checked the time again to make sure he wasn't late. Hm. 

Seems like his watch actually became useful. 

He then opened a year book from about 7 years ago, flipping to the letter K. 

After some searching, he found Viktor. Apparently he had been valedictorian of his class. Who knew! He found that amusing.

Only because the thought of Viktor giving a speech to an academy of senior class to over 200 students seemed like something he'd hate to do. 

He took a picture, smiling to himself. He looked to be 19 here or so. He wasn't smiling in his picture, but he seemed full of life. 

Jayce then decided his next step was to go get roses from the city. 

This... Was actually sort of fun. 

--••--

"The largest bouquet of roses." Jayce said, smiling as he gazed at the local florist. Thankfully, these roses never wilted in the winter due to the fact they were grown inside. 

"Oo, who's the lucky lady?" Said the woman as she walked over to her selection of flowers, snipping several cuts. 

"Ah... " Jayce said, thoughtfully. He chewed on his lip for a moment. "Actually, it's for my partner." He said. Were they boyfriends? What constituted as a boyfriend? One kiss? Did they both have to officially declare they were dating??? Man this was confusing. We're ... They dating now??? Or just one A date.

The woman had short ginger hair, and was covered in freckles. She smiled. "Sorry for assuming. I — am too. You'd think I'd learn to stop doing that." She said, gently rearranging the flowers carefully into a nice bouquet. "Any other flowers?"

"Any Lillies?" He asked. 

She turned around with a chipper nod. 

"That seems to be a popular flower for some reason right now. Usually it doesn't sell... Some gentleman earlier." She said, as she cut them as well from a pot.

She wrapped it up nicely with the roses. 

Jayce meanwhile raised an eyebrow. He had a sneaking suspicion he knew who that was.

"Brown paper okay?"

"Red, please." 

"Noted." She said, setting off to fetch the red paper, before bundling it up and handing it to Jayce. She told him the total, and he paid. It was sort of nice to spend his money on someone that wasn't himself for once. 

--••--

Jayce knocked on the door to Viktor's apartment, now dressed for their first official date. He was ready for this.  He definitely got this. 

6:00, on the dot. Not a minute too soon or late. 

Viktor opened the door.

What Jayce had not expected was the fact Viktor had looked drop dead gorgeous. To begin, his hair was braided to the side, with his money pieces still out. Jayce could see now that that Viktor most definitely had vitiligo by the blondish white streaks in his under-hair. He was just so pale it was incredibly difficult to see.  

He couldn't help but to briefly think if the rest of Viktor's body had any white patches. 

The second thing he noticed was the royal dark trenchcoat he was wearing. The inside was lined with a silly red color. He wore a black turtleneck under that, wearing silver jewelry over it... Alongside with black slacks and a nice pair of slightly pointed shoes. He wore his brace as well; the black lacing only accentuating his thigh. 

"Yes?"

Jayce snapped out of it; only himself wearing black button up, paired with a dark red sweater, black slacks, and a very pleasing pair of boots. 

He held out a bouquet of roses, much to Viktor's surprise.  

"Good evening, Mr.Květina." 

Viktor blinked more, before smiling crookedly, as he took the bouquet. He then held out his own smaller bouquet of white Lillies. 

"I see you did your homework, Mr.Talis."  Viktor said; clearly pleased. He set the bouquet gently down in a vase for now, before stepping out with Jayce and taking his arm. Jayce held his bouquet, before Viktor put it aside as well. 

Just then, a teacher, — Viktor's neighbor, walked out of their apartment, Blinking at the pair, who blinked back. 

"Hello, .. Mrs.Lest." Viktor greeted slowly. 

"...hey." she said, flickering her eyes to the two of them.

"Hello, Mrs.Lest." Jayce greeted, much more cheerfully, before being dragged away. 

...

Viktor cleared his throat, starting to walk away as fast as he could, cane in his free hand, dragging Jayce with him. 

Hm! So they finally got together. Took them long enough. 

--••--

"I'm not shy."

"You're so shy. You ran away when Mrs.Lest saw you."

"Teachers aren't supposed to date." Viktor said, as they walked the snowy streets of Piltover. 

"Good thing you're not a teacher, then." Jayce said, before pausing in his steps. "—Wait we're dating?" 

Viktor raised his hand in disbelief, before laughing some and pinching his nose. "Jayce ... It is incredible to me how you're so.... Intelligent. Yet,"

"Har har. — how was I supposed to know???" Jayce said, pausing in his steps. He then looked around, before smiling. They seemed to have found themselves on the same spot on their way home from when they went and coffee. 

The movie went well tonight; essentially Viktor just ate a lot of popcorn, entranced in the movie. That was it. 

Viktor took notice too, before leaning against the silver railing silently and smiling to himself, as Jayce took his otherside. 

"I take it you enjoyed the movie."

"I did."

"Did you enjoy the date?" Jayce asked, smiling some as he crossed his legs and stared at Viktor. 

"We're still on it until I get home." Viktor joked, looking over and leaning his elbows on the railing. He then moved his gaze to the distant boats. 

Jayce followed his gaze. 

"How come... You always stare at the boats?" Jayce decided to ask, after so long of knowing Victor. He never pushed too much. 

"Hm? —" Viktor asked, while lifting his head off his palm to look at Jayce. He turned his gaze back to the inky water, watching the lights of the boats reflect. 

...

"It's a long story."

"Do tell." Jayce said, elbowing him. "I like long stories."

"I'm not sure you'd like this one." Viktor replied. 

"I'll just keep asking." Jayce said, smiling warmly as he looked over, meeting Viktor's eyes. "I want to know you. Every part. I realized that today." 

Viktor seemed rather touched by his answer, so he looked back at the water. 

"I arrived off one of those ships, with my family... When I got a bit older, my mother would take me to see it... After she got sick, I'd go to the bridge everyday to watch the ships." Viktor replied. 

Jayce silently nodded, letting Viktor talk about himself. Contrary to belief, he didn'tdo it much. 

"I've just always liked them. I'm not sure why." Viktor said... "One day, I was... Nine or so. Since we couldn't look at the boats anymore together, I made her one. A miniature one. It actually worked, too... I guess that's when she realized I was... Prone to greater ideas. She sacrificed everything for my endeavors." Viktor said. "So... When I see the boats, I think of her." He said, looking over at Jayce. "... Not much of a story, I know. But she was all I had."

Jayce picked up on the words "had." — he could assume the rest. 

Jayce wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close as they both looked at the river in silence for a while. 

"What about the bridge?"

"I think... You know." Viktor said, looking up at him softly.. there was a sort of vulnerability there in his voice that Viktor didn't do often. Jayce's eyes widened, before looking down at him, blinking in astonishment. 

"We... Really do have a lot in common." Jayce said, pulling him a bit closer. 

Viktor solemnly nodded. 

"We do."

"But, I'm happier now."

"... I am too." Viktor admitted. "A little more."

...

The pair stood in silence for a while, before deciding it was time to go back to Viktor's apartment. 

--••--

By the time they arrived, it was late in the evening. Jayce stood outside the door, as Viktor entered. Viktor raised his eyebrows as Jayce stood outside.

"What are you doing?"

"Being a gentleman." Jayce replied.

Viktor rolled his eyes, before grabbing the collar of his shirt and yanking him inside, earning a laugh from Jayce as he shut the door behind him.

"—Easy!"

"I think ... Unfortunately. .. you won the competition, tonight." Viktor said, smiling as he placed a hand Jayce's chest, looking up at him. 

"What's my reward?" Jayce asked, tilting his head and smiling. He stared down at him. If Viktor knew any better, he could say it was... Perhaps a flirt. 

"Who said anything about a reward?"

"What's a competition without a reward?" Jayce asked, keeping his hands to his side as Viktor took a step back, only for Jayce to take a Forward. 

"A participation prize?" Viktor suggested, smirking some playfully as he walked away, turning around as he turned on some lamps in his dark apartment. Jayce followed him like a dog on a leash. 

Eventually, he grabbed Viktor's hand as he walked in further into the apartment, before slowly turning him around. "...Viktor." he whined.

"Jayce." Viktor hummed, tilting his head innocently. "What could you possibly want?"

Jayce gave a playful exasperated sigh. 

"Fine." 

This caused Viktor to abruptly laugh, pulling him down by the shoulders to press his lips to Jayce's; who's eyes widened in surprise, before fluttering close as Viktor took his hand. 

The kiss was something playful, at first, as they both smiled and laughed quietly, finding that same lightness from last night, enjoying their company... but it wasn't that long until Viktor found himself pressed between Jayce and against one of his many bookshelves... One of Jayce's hands rested on his hip. He touched him like he was made of glass. He wanted to tell him to be firmer, but stayed silent, instead tilting his head as he found his fingers tangled in Jayce's hair. 

"Easy..." Viktor said, finding his breath shaking some when Jayce pulled away. "You'll... Knock the shelf down."

Jayce blinked, pulling away some— quickly wiping the back of his hand with his mouth... He stared at Viktor. If he could, he'd worship how beautiful he was, as strands of his hair fell out of his braid. 

Those honey eyes looked particularly lovely whenever Viktor got flustered. It was quite intoxicating...

Jayce cleared his throat. He should probably stop.

"Sorry... I got carried away."

Viktor was half tempted to tell him to continue... After all, Jayce did look quite attractive in tonight's outfit. "It's... Quite fine." Viktor replied. 

...

...

But neither of them moved. 

...

...

It took all of Jayce's will to take a step back... He didn't want things to move too quickly. 

Viktor took his hand, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, before gently touching his forearm. 

"You can use my shower tonight after I'm out ...  We can finish our book. Sound okay?"

"Right."

"Mm." Viktor answered, analyzing the way Jayce's eyes dilated at he stared down at him. 

Viktor gave an amused smirk. This did wonderful things to his ego, slightly. It did satiate some... Human urge, to know he was wanted. 

He hadn't expected Jayce to be so passionate. A Romantic, sure. But not this... Firey. 

He tried not to stoke the said fire too much. 

"I'm hungry." Viktor said, in hopes it would perhaps convince Jayce to fetch them some food. 

"Me too."

...

...

...

That didn't work. Viktor cleared his throat.

"There should be... A few steaks in the fridge, we could perhaps eat those. I can cook them after I get out?" Viktor said. 

Finally Jayce's gaze tore off Viktor. He nodded some. "Alright... Any vegetables?"

"... No." Viktor replied, causing Jayce to laugh some as Viktor sauntered off to his bedroom. He hated vegetables. "I'm going to get a shower first. You can get in after, if you want, if you're staying again...?"

As soon as Viktor was gone, Jayce covered his face with his hands and paced around some. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—  He was horrifically "down bad" — as his students would say. He felt like he needed Viktor like he needed water. Air. 

After a few moments, he decided to distract himself by starting the meal for him and Viktor. 

By the time Viktor walked out, Jayce set down two plates, much to Viktor's surprise.

"I thought you wanted me to cook?" Viktor asked, smiling softly as he stared at Jayce, watching him avoid eye contact now with him. 

"I got bored." Jayce lied. He just needed a distraction,... immediately. 

Chapter Text

Well...

That was certainly eventful. 

Class was cancelled a bit early someone decided to pull the fire extinguishers on campus... And the sprinklers went off. 

Jayce ran his hand through his wet hair, gently touching his face... He decided to stop by Viktor's room first instead of his own. 

He opened the door to Viktor's apartment, only to find Viktor as the counter, scribbling away in a notebook. He looked completely entranced as he squinted at the pages. Viktor ran a hand through his own, dry, hair. Before squinting and mumbling to himself as he twirled the pen in his fingers idly. The notebook was...

...

A white one, in fact. To be specific, — the research journal that they had their collective notes within. The notebook, which is Jayce remembered correctly, was forbidden to research on until they got approval from the council... Which could take years. 

Viktor stared at the notes, only to slowly look up to find a dripping wet Jayce in his doorway. 

They both pointed at each other out of confusion. Before Viktor closed the book and tucked it away under his arm, as if he was hiding it. 

"... What are you doing?'

"Better, question, Jayce, why are you wet?"

"Even more pressing question — why do you have our journal." Jayce said, as his eyebrows sharply furrowed. He took a step in, much to Viktor's dismay. 

"Ah— ah ah. No. You are getting my carpet WET." Viktor said, walking over and placing a hand on Jayce's chest, gently turning him around. 

"Go change."

"Viktor please —" Jayce said, before turning around. The gaze he held was serious, much to Viktor's surprise. 

He looked at him in a confused manor, before he followed Jayce's gaze to the book under his arm. 

"Where'd you get that."

"I... ehm,  Had the keys, so... I fetched the research book. Not a big deal..." Viktor said, already turning around to avoid looking at Jayce.

"The keys to what....?" Jayce said.

"Ehh.... Heimerdingers lab?"

"Viktor!!! You broke into heimerdi—"

"SHHH." Viktor said, walking back over and closing the door behind Jayce. "You cannot just... Blurt things out." 

"I just took the book. I needed to— ... To do something." Viktor explained. "If I... Could maybe make something to change their minds?" He said thoughtfully. "Then perhaps they would change their minds... Then it would be much easier to—"

Jayce shook his head, waving his hands. 

"No. Nope. No way. You gotta return the book, Viktor. If they figure out you're doing unauthorized research —" Jayce said, while staring at Viktor. He looked genuinely worried. 

"—When did you even do this?"

"... About a month ago."

"A— A month ago?!" Jayce said, while running his hands through his hair. "You've been hiding this from me for a month?! Why???" Jayce said, placing his hands on Viktor's shoulders and staring at him. Jayce looked like a kicked puppy.... But Viktor looked like a sad cat.

"I thought you would understand! Besides, I have access to the catalog of confiscated items. I just..mmm altered it to exclude the book."

"Viktor! — If they fire you from the academy, then what??" Jayce said in dismay, as he held out his hands, as to gesture to the theoretical possibility.

Viktor shrugged, meekly, looking at the book as he untucked it from his arms. He gently flipped through the pages; staring at the scribbles they both wrote. He ran his thumb over a certain page, that had a drawing of himself that Jayce drew ... He wasn't sure if Jayce even knew it was there.  He then closed the journal and sighed as he looked into the air. 

"I thought you would understand my passion." He repeatedly, obviously offended Jayce didn't seem onboard with his ambitions. "I do not really care if I get kicked out. I just want to make the world a better place... Plus, I have you." 

"I — Viktor." Jayce said, placing both of his hands once again on him firmly. "I am more than anyone that gets this. — how do you think I got fired? Hm? And I've worked everything to get back to where I am. Believe me, I get it. And take it from me, this isn't the way... You have to return it." Jayce said, searching Viktor's face, whom seemed to look so betrayed. "This isn't the way to do things... And I don't want you to get fired, especially. This place is like, your home." 

Viktor stared up at him with a hurt gaze. 

"Don't look at me like that... If you really thought what you did, then you wouldn't of hid it from me for a month." Jayce said, genuinely, causing Viktor to look away. He had a point. 

Silently, he passed Jayce the book.

Jayce took it, alongside one of Viktor's slender hands within his own. 

" Look... Maybe .... we can find something else to research?"

Viktor didn't answer at first, as his eyes focused on the wet carpet Jayce stood in. He then looked over and up at him. 

...

"Jayce... why are you soaking wet?"

"Some kid triggered the fire alarm... The sprinklers went off."

"Ah."

...

Viktor snorted, finally cracking a small smile and turning away, fetching Jayce a towel and a change of clothes — which were a pair he stole from Jayce a while ago. 

Once returned, he set the fluffy towel on Jayce's hair, before ruffling it up with the towel and making his hair quite fluffy. 

Viktor wrapped the towel around Jayce's head, before silently staring at him. Ah, yes, the dreaded stare. Viktor always did that whenever he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. 

...

...

...

Ssssstare.

...

"I'm not upset at you, Viktor... I just wish you had told me, that's all." Jayce clarified; which seemed to be the answer Viktor was looking for, as he gently placed his forehead in Jayce's wet shirt;  immediately seemingly regretting his decision as his palm wiped his face in disgust, causing Jayce to burst out laughing.  

Jayce suddenly got a mischievous idea—

"Viktor.... Come here, I want to hug you."

"No." Viktor gasped, already trying to escape. But Jayce caught him by the wrist. 

"Viktoorrr~ come here."

"Oh, for everything that could be considered sacred, no." Viktor said, as he was slowly dragged backwards by Jayce. "Please— please no. Jayce, my clothes — please." Viktor cried out, before suddenly slipping free, much to Viktors and Jayce's surprise. 

Slippery hands. 

Viktor's eyes lit up at his freedom, turning around and pointing at him in maniacal laughter. "AHAHAHA."

"I wouldn't laugh." Jayce said, smirking as he suddenly took a step forward. 

Viktor blinked. Looked down. Then looked back up, as Jayce took another step. 

He then scampered off, to the best of his ability. "You— you are chasing — the man— with a cane!"

Jayce followed suit, two steps back with an amused smile on his face... The journal set on the bar counter and forgotten about, as he "chased" Viktor into the kitchen. 

"Chasing? No, I'm not chasing you. I just want a hug! I just worked all day!" Jayce replied, innocently, as he shepherd Viktor into the kitchen, smiling wickedly as Viktor had nowhere to go — as he blocked the only entrance and exit to the kitchenette.

Viktor folded his arms. 

"This is absurd. You dragged water all through my house — and mud— and now? You... Dog."

"Dog??" Jayce said, as his eyebrows shot straight up. He laughed. 

"Then you're a cat."

"Absolutely not."

"Absolutely, yes."

Jayce took another step forward, much to Viktor's horror.

"Please Jayce, my clothes are so comfortable... I don't want to change....." 

"I think this is fair punishment for hiding your research from me over a month?"

"Cruel. Cruel and Injustice." Viktor replied, as Jayce continued to approach, Viktor looked around "you hate me." 

For any weapons... Eventually he picked up a wooden spatula, holding it out like a weapon. 

"Stay back."

Jayce just snorted. 

"Am I supposed to be scared?"

"Yes."

"...Ahh... Okay." He said moving in for the kill. Viktor attempted to escape, but alas, he wasn't fast enough as Jayce snagged him by a hand on his arm. 

He dragged Viktor into a firm hug from behind, as Viktor gasped in horror as his clothes got equally wet. 

 ...

"I hate you." He said, in defeat, full of playful anger. 

"Strong words." Jayce replied in pretend astonishment... "But not true."

"It is true. My clean clothes are now disgusting and wet... my clean carpet is gross, and then you take my journal and—"

Jayce leaned against the counter, before opening his arms and crossing his legs. His eyebrows raised slowly at Viktor.

Viktor looked over his shoulder; confused at what Jayce stopped hugging him. "What?"

"Hm. Funnily enough... you didn't run. I thought you hated me?" Jayce replied. Viktor gave him a deadpanned expression. "Also, it's our journal."

"Even more, now." Viktor said as Jayce once again hugged him from behind. Viktor found this surprisingly comfortable — besides the fact he was soaking wet. "I have Stockholm syndrome." 

...

"Can you please go change in dry clothes?" Viktor then said. "You will get sick. — And I will not baby you."

"One — that's not scientifically possible. Two, are you going to help me out of mine~?" Jayce said, only for Viktor to turn around and raise his eyebrows at him in disbelief.

"Unbelievable. Absolutely not. I cannot believe you."

Jayce shrugged innocently. He tried. 

Viktor rolled his eyes as he managed to squeeze his way out of Jayce's arm with some struggling. He grabbed the pair of clothes he had fetched earlier off the counter, before shoving them playfully in Jayce's arms. 

"Go. Get a shower. Then, you'll clean my carpet." Viktor said, before sauntering away to the living room.

Jayce stood there, smiling like an idiot to himself as he watched Viktor Huff and mutter to himself. It was so amusing to get him so red, sometimes. 

After a minute, he went to walk to the bathroom; before his eyes caught at the white research book that sat on the bar counter between the kitchen and living room. 

He let it sit, as he walked into Viktor's bathroom to grab a shower.

--••--

Once he returned, he found Viktor on the bed, laying on his stomach. His head was propped into hand. However, it seemed like he had started to fall asleep waiting for Jayce. He was wearing a new pair of clothes. His clothes. Again. Always.

Just then, Viktor's head fell out of his palm, and onto the soft bed. This caused Jayce to give a small puff of air in amusement.

Jayce had noticed Viktor had seemed more tired lately.... only now did he might understand why. 

Jayce, now in warm, dry, clothes... Then took his wet ones aside to dry, before walking over and laying beside Viktor on his bed. 

The movement seemed to stir him slightly... And like clockwork, Viktor moved to silently to lay on top of Jayce; never opening his eyes as he set his head on Jayce's chest. 

Jayce gently placed his hand in Viktor's hair, smiling softly at himself as his fingers tangled in his hair. 

It had been almost a month— if not already one, since their first "official" date.

...

...

"I do not... Actually hate you." Viktor abruptly said from Jayce's chest. Referring to his statement of distain earlier on the kitchen.

"I know." Jayce replied, smiling to himself as he squeezed Viktor slightly. "I don't hate you either... But thank you for clarifying."

Viktor smiled sleepily to himself. 

"Glad." Viktor mumbled. 

Jayce settled to press a soft kiss to the top of Viktor's head... His shampoo smelled like Cedar, as he exhaled and closed his eyes. 

He loved this...

"... At what point is it socially acceptable to say "I love you."" Viktor asked, his voice muffled in Jayce's chest. He could actually hear Jayce's heart skyrocket once again. 

"I— uh. Well.,,, I. I . ,, " he stammered, as Viktor sleepily raised his head to stare at Jayce's red face. 

He cleared his throat.

"I'm,,, not sure? Whenever you feel like it?... Do... ,,, "

"Mm." Viktor replied, setting his head on Jayce's chest again and closing his eyes. "I think I feel quite fond of you... So I'll say it. I love you."

Jayce was pretty sure he was having a heart attack. His heart continued to skyrocket as he looked down at Viktor; sleepy and looking at him so fondly. You'd think he'd get used to this by now... But Viktor seemed to find new ways everyday to make him flustered.

"Really???"

Viktor raised his head again slowly nodded. "I understand if you cannot reciprocate the feeling yet— I know it has only been a month or so I cannot expect you to have come to a conclusion if you feel this str—"

Viktor was promptly shut up as Jayce pulled him into a sudden and deep kiss; in the end had Viktor gasping for air and a bit dazed. 

"I love you too!— Do you know how long I've been waiting to say that?! I didn't want to scare you off.—" Jayce explained, staring down at Viktor with... Frankly, besides the night they kissed for the first time, the happiest Viktor had seen Jayce. 

Viktor found his face red, at a lost for words; so he just ended up staring at Jayce. 

In the end, he placed his head in Jayce's chest again.

"You... are... unbearably... Sickeningly sweet." 

Jayce in returned, squeezed the daylights out of Viktor.

"I love you." 

Chapter Text

"Jayce."

Rain pounded against the glass of Jayce's dimly lit apartment; brief flashes of lightning would illuminate the space, before it was plunged into darkness once more... On the corner of the couch sat a figure; only illuminated by a dim bulb of an old lamp or the strikes of lightning outside.

Thunder rolled in at a constant rate.

The funeral of his father took the last bit of strength he had, as he stepped over the pile of clothes on the floor and sat down on the couch, moving to rest his head into his hands, as his thick eyebrows furrowed to look at the mess around him. 

Not a single light in his house was lit; His plants were far wilted now by the window. As if to add insult to injury, it was pouring outside. The flowers he had received as condolences were wilting now...

He wasn't sure why anyone gifted flowers after someone died. It felt like an insult when the petals began to fall, and the stems became weak... And nothing left was death and an empty pot.

He failed him. He failed his family in every. Single. Way. 

Jayce's hands brushed the pile of letters on his table, most of them were unopened. He didn't have the heart to read half of it. Supposably, he had all these people for him... Not a single one here. Not a single person to help him move forward from his grief. 

He supposed Caitlyn, in the end... But she was busy now. She had her own things. Why bother her? Why burden her with such pointless troubles? It's not like she could revive his family from the grave. She had her own things to deal with now. They weren't kids anymore.

Although, she was the only one to send him an actual potted plant. Some Lillies. Jayce appreciate that. 

Jayce placed his head in his hand. He couldn't cry anymore; even if he wanted to. There weren't any tears left too... The only thing he felt was a hollowed emptiness. A... Ever long pit of despair in his stomach that consumed ever waking moment he felt. 

He didn't want to be here anymore. He just wanted to go home, but home wasn't anywhere here. He brought his knees to his chest, as to find sour comfort... But none came. This was it. There was no coming back from this. There was no optimism; no hope for better days. He had promised so many things... And to show for all his efforts? Failure.

His life had fell apart in the span of year. First, his expulsion. Then, his father. Then, his mother. Like Dominos to some elaborate game. 

"Jayce."

He stood up, slowly, and with some effort moved to stare at the city skyline in the distance; shrouded by clouds and thick rain.

He really didn't see the point anymore.

He touched his face briefly with his hand, first pinching the bridge of his nose before touching his jaw... He really needed to shave. 

A blue cladded woman rapped against the door, holding another pot of white Lillies.  The newly graduated enforcer was standing at the door to her dearest friend. She hadn't sent Jayce's since last week... Honestly she was starting to worry about leaving him to his own devices.. each time she saw him, he looked a bit more skinny, and a bit more disheveled. 

While it wasn't her responsibility to take care of a grown man, it did bring her worry to see him get worse and worse by the day — like a shell of the man she had befriended. 

After a few minutes, her concern seemed to grow, as she stared at her watch. 

"Jayce?.....Jayce I'm coming in."  She decided after a few moments of silence. Eventually, she opened the door, only to be greeted by the mess of her best friend's apartment. She squinted immediately. This was unlike him, because Jayce was far more tidy than this, as she stepped over a pile of clothes. In the distance, from Jayce's bedroom, she heard the shower running. 

"Well, that's good at least." She mumbled to herself. Softly, she set the plant down on the kitchenette counter, before walking over and eyeing the rest of the wilted flowers sitting in various vases ... Some dried out while some left peddles over various unopened letters. 

She noticed that only the one from her family was opened, causing her to pick it up. 

Caitlyn stayed for about fourty five minutes or so before squinting to herself. He was definitely taking way too long in there... And as she gazed at the dark husk of the room, she was starting to get worried. 

She decided it would be best to make her presence known, after she cleaned up some. She pushed her way into the bedroom, sticking her head in and announcing she was here. 

"Hey, Jayce??? I'm... Here. God, your rooms a mess." She said, before walking to the bathroom door that was located in the bedroom. She didn't get an answer, so she gave another knock. "You good on there, Jayce? I'm not judging, but you've been in there for a while." She said, before clearing her throat and checking her phones time just to make sure.

God— no. He didn't want her to see him like this. The worse if himself. He sucked in air through his teeth and placed his hand on his lower forearm, watching Scarlett dribble between his fingers. 

... Hearing her voice made him somewhat snap out of it, as he set down the razor he had intended to shave his face with. The only person he cared about — why was she here now? She had so many things to do and see, and right now is when she decided to come over??? After he does — this. After he decided that this was it. His last dance.

"Jayce?" Came Caitlyn's voice, muffled from the bed room. Her voice got a bit louder as she questioned again; staring at piles of papers on the floor.. 

 Were those the nanotechnology reports?...

She was starting to get an uneasy feeling in her stomach about all this... At first she dismissed her worries. Jayce would never. He was too smart for that. Too — optimistic. That was her best friend, no way would he ever...

"I'm just uh— taking — a shower." Jayce called out, finally, trying to sound somewhat normal. He cleared his throat, as he frantically tried to think of what to do about this situation. It's not like  the bleeding was stopping, as it decorated the white tile with drops of red. It was becoming a mess. He quickly moved to the medicine cabinet; searching for bandages. 

He fucked up.

His vision was going white. Why'd he do this? He didn't want to do this Caitlyn. 

"You should sprout...uh — Go home. I'm not really..." He sucked some more air between his teeth. "I don't want to talk to anyone right now — so—" He wasn't sure how else to get her to go away. He didn't do this with the intent with worrying anyone."I have that whole — thing."

Caitlyn seemed to recognize the pain in his voice. After all, they had been childhood friends. She had seen him scrape his knees a thousand times. Stub his toe. Fall — etc. She would recognize the way he'd suck it through his teeth and play it off as a joke. Every time.

"Jayce?" She asked again at first. She didn't really want to... Assume the worst. Jayce was such a optimistic person. He'd never! She kept telling herself that.  "Are you... Alright?... Actually?'

But then there was a lack of answer... The rummaging behind the door came to a sudden stop. Briefly, she swore she smelt the sickly sweet smell of copper. Blood. She'd smell it too many times to count as an budding investigator.

"Jayce, open the door."

"Just...Go home, Cait..." 

His voice was slurred. Immediately, she began to panic.

"Jayce Talis you open this god damn door or I'll kick it down." Caitlyn said, now bristling, trying to open the locked door. She shoved on it, trying to get an answer. 

And that's exactly what she did after no response and trying adamantly to get an answer back. It took her twice, but eventually, Caitlyn busted the door open with a stern kick to the bottom of the door. 

The scene that greeted her was particularly gruesome.

"JAYCE, YOU — WHAT did you —" She took a deep breath. Freaking out wasn't the right call, but she found tears in her eyes anyway. There was so much red.

—"Jayce."

Jayce held his head in his hand, now slumped on the floor, shaking his head as Caitlyn spoke. She was saying something, but he couldn't hear the words. All he could think about was how nice it was to go to sleep for a while... Not to worry about anything. 

--••-- 

"JAYCE." Viktor said, shaking his shoulder, causing Jayce's eyes to shoot open. Viktor was sitting up next to him, in one of his shirts, holding Jayce's face with a concerned look in his eyes. "You're having what I only can assume is a nightmare."

"Wha— huh—." He mumbled, before his eyebrows furrowed. "Ugh." He said, pinching the bridge of his nose as he recalled the dream. That was .... Very unwelcomed and unpleasant. He lifted his fingers, only to find them damp. 

He wiped his eyes with the palm of hand as a couple more fell. 

"Are you alright, Jay...?" Viktor asked as an endearing name fell from his mouth in a moment of concern... searching his partner's face; moving to gently wipe his tears away with the end of his shirt in the end. Viktor wasn't very good at comforting other people, let alone himself, but he could try.

Viktor's hands turned gentle, feeling Jayce nod in his hold. 

Viktor didn't ask. He didn't need to. 

Viktor pressed his lips softly to Jayce's forehead, just once, before scooting up to lay Jayce's head into his lap, beginning to pet back his hair instead.

Jayce wiped his eyes again, "Sorry."

"Don't be." Viktor said... "We all have bad nights."

He said, softly as he picked up a book off his nightstand. Currently this was the new one him and Jayce had been avidly reading.

"But just like the rotation of earth, the sun shows it's face eventually... Close your eyes." 

He opened where they left off; the page dog eared. And, out loud, Viktor began to softly recite the words on the page to Jayce, who turned in his hold and wrapped his arms around his torso. 

Viktor's bed was much more comfortable than his own. There were far more blankets and pillows, along with occasionally a cat to lay near them. The best thing though... Was when he was sleeping with Viktor in it. 

Viktor continued to run his fingers through his hair, as Jayce found himself focusing only on Viktor's soothing voice. 

Viktor found himself sort of crushed, as Jayce laid on top of him, between his legs and as his strong arms wrapped around Viktor's torso. Usually, jayce was the first to wake up, but today he was still softly snoring away.

He had the day off today, so Viktor let him sleep in, gazing at the cloudy weather outside. 

It had been a week since their date... Viktor was finding himself quite complacent with his partner... But he still thought about his research everyday. If he could get his hands on it... Maybe he could prove to the professor if want actually that dangerous... But ...

He didn't know where confiscated items were held. 

He turned his gaze to the sleeping Jayce; admiring his broad shoulders for a moment as he ran a hand there. Powerful muscles laid dormant. 

As noon rolled around, eventually Jayce stirred begrudgingly, looking up to stare at Viktor. 

"Hey..." He greeted, as Viktor glanced up from his book. 

"Good morning, Jayce. I'd ask you if you slept well, but I know the answer is yes and no. it is ... noon." He teased gently, moving to gently run his fingers through his hair, eventually his fingertips settled on Jayce's cheek, before sliding carefully to his jaw; as he held his face similar to how he'd read a book with one hand. His thumb settled under his chin and Jayce leaned against him.

Jayce's eyes widened. He slept in so late??? Eventually he rested his head into his lovers hand and closed his eyes. 

"You had a bad dream last night, yes?" Viktor asked. 

"Yes."

"Are you feeling well? Better?" Viktor asked. 

Jayce nodded slowly as he looked up at him. Viktor closed his book with his other hand, before attempting to sit up. Attempting was the word — Jayce was Quite heavy. 

Jayce snorted, before sitting up to allow Viktor to get up. Viktor found he enjoyed the weight of Jayce's ontop of him; it was soothing, but he was glad to be able to move again. 

Jayce moved to sit beside Viktor, before resting his head on his knee to stare outside at the stormy weather. He wore a pair of sweats and a cotton gray shirt that had the scientific formation of caffeine on it. 

"We seem to have a rainy day today." Viktor commented as he followed Jayce's gaze.  

"It's nice." Jayce said.

"I agree." Viktor replied. 

"We can stay in bed if you'd like." 

"I think I'd like that today." Jayce decided, closing his eyes on his knee. Viktor reached over to kiss the temple of his forehead, before sliding out of bed and grabbing his cane. 

Silently, he walked out of the bedroom. 

Jayce could hear him in the kitchen, before the smell of coffee wafted into the room... When Viktor returned, he held a mug and a bowl of cereal, passing it to Jayce, before fetching his own breakfast and coffee as well. 

He sat next to Jayce once more. 

A peaceful silence was shared between them as they ate breakfast for lunch. No words had to be said. That's the way Viktor liked it. 

...

Just then, the sound of thunder rolled from outside, causing both of them to glance at the window as rain settled in. 

"Sorry, that was my stomach." Jayce joked, causing Viktor to snort and look over, shaking his head in amusement with a dumb smile on his face. 

Jayce grinned slightly, watching Viktor turn his body to stare at the rain outside as he quietly sipped on his coffee, his silhouette outlined by the gray clouds outside and a lamp. It was rather peaceful.

"You like the rain." Jayce commented, as he watched Viktor look over his shoulder. 

"I do. I missed it... Soon it will be spring." 

He turned his gaze back to the window. Jayce stared at him a little bit longer, deciding he liked the rain too now. 

He leaned forward, pressing a soft peck to the nape of Viktor's neck, causing him to straighten up and nearly drop his coffee, cursing as he did so. That made Jayce snort, as he wrapped his arms around his waist to drag him closer to him, before resting his chin on Viktor's shoulder to stare outside.

"You remind me of the rain, a little?" 

"I do, Hm?"

"Yeah. You're... Soothing." 

Viktor stayed quiet, thoughtfully. "You remind me of the sun, then." 

Jayce stayed quiet, before looking over. 

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Why?" 

"I think it's because... You make my day brighter... You're warm and Some days, you're a bit overcast. But it's okay." He said, as he gently tapped Jayce's cheek, causing him to smile some. "You'll shine again tomorrow."

"...Thanks, Vik."

"You're welcome... Do not expect any more pep talks from me, though." Viktor said, obviously joking as he drank his coffee. "I'm starting to sound like you and your... Optimism... Not ehhh a good look for me." 

Jayce smiled some, before staring at Viktor's side profile. Gently, he reached over; turning Viktor's head to look at him; causing the researcher to blink. 

Since they started dating, Viktor had always kissed Jayce first, often due to the fact his partner was a bit shy... Which was a bit funny on itself. 

Viktor blinked owlishly at him, before Jayce leaned to press a soft kiss to his lips, before pulling away, glancing at Viktor's flustered face, before kissing him softly again. His hand found Viktor's on the side, just as another roll of thunder rolled through... Viktor leaned forward into Jayce, smiling softly.

This was a different sort of kiss they had shared before. It was soft... Quiet... Caring. Viktor enjoyed it.

Jayce pulled away, before looking back at the rain. 

"Thanks."

"Only you."

--••--

Viktor watched the sun slowly show itself, as the evening rolled around; illuminating his room in a lovely gold. The sunset outside was one for the history books. 

Viktor wondered how much snow was melted off by now. 

He turned his gaze to the sleeping Jayce... He had seemingly just used today to recharge and lay in bed, now laying on his stomach with a pillow tucked under his head.

He couldn't blame Jayce. He was a busy man. Teaching, took making, working out, and before their research. On top of that, Viktor knew he just ... Had some bad days. He definitely took a lot on his plate. 

... Maybe they should plan a vacation, away from the academy. That would do  them both a fair amount of good. He could get his mind off his research and enjoy Jayce's company — and Jayce could take a break. 

He wasn't really sure where though... He'd have to give it some thought. 

Viktor reached over to place a hand on Jayce's strong back; momentarily letting his fingers trace the rhomboids there, before lifting his hand... It was the area between his lower back and upper back. 

Anatomy did prove itself useful after all. 

Jayce... Viktor realized, would almost  be a textbook example of the male anatomy of a human. 

He found out amusing that they were completely opposites. 

Just then, Jayce tuned his head over his shoulder; his sleepy eyes focusing on Viktor's face — who looked a bit shocked to be caught letting his fingers linger on Jayce. 

He really had to stop assuming Viktor was asleep.

However, at this very moment, Jayce seemed to be illuminated in the golden rays of the setting sun. Essentially, he looked like if someone had decided to paint a classical picture. Just... Jayce was wearing a novelty shirt. 

Viktor innocently raised his hands, before picking up his book as to bury his face in it; earning a sleepy laugh from Jayce.

He reached over to tilt it away from Viktor's face; so he couldn't hide away. 

"So that's what that look means." Jayce mumbled.

Viktor cleverly avoided eye contact. 

"What... Ehm... Look?"

"The look you just made."

" I have no idea—"

"Your eyebrows lower and you just sit there and stare. I couldn't figure what it meant." Jayce said. "You think I'm pretty —"

"Shut up. Silence. You are so full of your own ego it is—"

"I'm right."

"No." Viktor said, as he picked up a pillow and pretended to debate smothering Jayce with it, causing him to sleepily laugh as his face was covered by a pillow.

"So you don't find me pretty?" Jayce asked from underneath the the pillow. 

"I am not here to answer your egotistical prideful questions, Jayce." Replied Viktor as he cleared his throat and lifted his hands off the pillow, only to pick up the book off the bed; face a bit red as he opened to where he left off. 

He felt Jayce shift behind him as he lifted the pillow off his face and sat up. 

"If it's any consolation, I find you beautiful Viktor." He said, jokingly — but he did mean it.

When he glanced at Viktor, he hadn't expected to see him staring at him with such wide eyes and red face. Like cupid had decided to repeatedly stab him with an arrow — personally. 

He then placed the book over his face again, before bringing his knees up to place his forehead there, book now serving as a sort of hat. "No. I'm not." Jayce heard; muffled. "Enough."

Jayce's eyebrows rose, as he shook his head with a smile, before leaning against the rock that was Viktor. He wrapped an arm around him... Noting he felt pretty warm.

"It's true. Every part of you is beautiful, you know. Your hair, your eyes, the moles on you fa—"

Thwack.

Jayce was playfully wacked with a book to silence him; causing him to chuckle. 

"Wow, Vik. You're abusive. First the pillow, the book, you step on my feet."

He scoffed in surprise. "i aM NOT." Viktor said, defensively, as he lifted his head out of his knees. Jayce could now see that Viktor poorly accepted praise. His face was the reddest it had been in a while. 

Jayce took that opportunity to press his hand to Viktor's face, before stealing another kiss. He ran his thumb over Viktor's high cheekbones as he did, before pull away. 

The only look Jayce could describe Viktor's face as he pulled was... starstruck... Maybe that and caught completely off guard... He just got more and more flustered, which was amusing to see. 

Viktor blinked at him, before taking a deep breath. "I... ,,, think I s-should make us dinner. Yes."

Jayce smirked, chewing on his knuckle to stifle a laugh. "Did you just stutter?"

"I do NOT stutter." Viktor said,With an astonished face and voice to match, his face turning a darker shade of red as he went to flee off the bed, reaching for his cane. 

Jayce grabbed his hand, dragging him right back beside him. 

"Nope. Nah ah. You're going to learn to accept a compliment."

"No." Viktor practically cried out in dismay, but allowed himself to be wrapped in Jayce's strong arms. 

He crossed his own, face red. 

"No hitting. No running away. All you have to do is agree! Easy." 

"Why...." Viktor said, in an exasperated tone of voice. "Is this therapy—" he started to ask. 

"I learned this in therapy." Jayce half joked, before sitting Viktor up and letting go. "... Plus I want you to realize you... Really are attractive."

A book seemed to magically appear in Viktor's hand. 

"No." Jayce ordered. "No books—"

"But you ... Just look so hittable." Viktor sighed, closing his eyes, as he now faced face to face with Jayce. Both of them sat criss crossed. Viktor looked unamused while jayce seemed chipper. 

"Remember! All you have to do is agree! Or accept. Easy." Jayce instructed.

"Jayce, this is ridiculous. You are ridiculous."

"Viktor, I find I love the color of your eyes." 

Viktor slowly raised his book, causing Jayce to laugh out loud as he stole the book out of his hands. "Try again." Jayce said, before continuing. 

"Viktor, you look very pretty today."

"Ugh." Viktor said, before rubbing his red face with his hands, finding himself not only embarrassed, but slightly ashamed he didn't easily believe these words. 

"..... thank you." He mumbled. 

Jayce gave him a thumbs up. "See! That wasn't hard! You didn't need to beat me up." He joked, as Viktor rolled his eyes. 

Jayce only leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Viktor's forehead. 

"I'll make sure to tell you everyday, until you believe it. "

Jayce moved to sit beside him once more, now wrapping his arm around Viktor once again.

".... You're... ... Quite... .... Pleasant." Viktor said, looking away some in annoyance. "To... Look at. Too."

to his face. 

Jayce practically beamed and sparkled enough where Viktor wanted to figuratively shield his face. 

"Thanks!!" He said, face a bit red. 

Viktor sighed to himself, unable to hold anymore resolve, as he leaned over to press his lips to Jayce's. In which Jayce hummed his approval as his thick hands found their way back to Viktor's face; gently holding him there. 

Viktor leaned forward into him, placing his hands on either side of Jayce, before lifting one to softly hold Jayce's shoulder as he leaned in further. Jayce had certainly did his fair share to get him to want to do nothing but kiss his dumb pretty lips. 

Jayce smiled, pulling away some to brush the hair out of Viktor's eyes, who stared up at him through his lashes. 

"You're pretty..." Jayce told him, not in a moment to fluster Viktor or anything if the sort... He genuinely meant that. 

Viktor seemed to debate this, before nodding slightly... He then took Jayce's face in his hands. "You too." He decided, watching Jayce's face turn into a genuine smile under his hands. Viktor noticed the two pointed canines he had when he did. 

Cute. 

Viktor kissed him again... This time he didn't hide his intensity. He wanted nothing more than for the two of them to just enjoy tonight in whatever way it led.

Jayce blinked in surprise as Viktor leaned further against him; their chests pressing as Viktor's fingers once again found their way into his hair; tangling there before he had to pull away to breathe, only to close the distance once more. Jayce met him halfway this time, moving one hand to slide Viktor's back and settle on his hip, while the other held his chin. 

Viktor was surprised to find his other hand had soon settled on Jayce's chest. He supposed in spurs of passion; it wasn't hard for hands to wander where eyes often drifted. 

"Viktor..." Jayce seemed to warm, quietly, when he pulled away, looking down at Viktor through his bottom lashes. 

"Jayce." He replied, smirking some. Clearly in his element. It reminded Jayce, briefly, of the way Viktor got excited and cocky in the lab once he got excited about his experiments. He did enjoy it. A lot.

"... Maybe we should... Stop..." He suggested, otherwise he foresaw tonight ending differently. 

"Do... You want to stop?" Viktor asked, genuinely, softly, while lifting his hand off of Jayce, only for Jayce to grab it and place it back where it was. 

"No..." Jayce admitted. ",,,... Do you—?"

"Neither do I." Viktor replied, before closing the gap between him and Jayce once more. 

Jayce finally found himself brave enough to let his lips trail from Viktor's lips; as he pressed a soft kiss to his jaw instead. His eyes kept flicking to check Viktor's face —if this was okay, but Viktor clearly was having an enjoyable time..

Jayce moved his arm; so Viktor was between him and the bed; arm on either side of him, as he peppered soft kisses to his jaw; feeling Viktor's arms settle around his back; The researchers eyes fluttering close as he felt a soft kiss on his neck... Jayce placed another one; letting his teeth gently press there; earning a nice gasp from Viktor underneath him. 

That certainly altered Jayce's brain chemistry. 

Viktor blew some hair out of his eyes, his gaze dilated on Jayce as he pulled away. His breath a bit Shakey. 

Jayce admired the way he looked for a few moments. 

"You're beautiful." He said, not in a way to playfully tease Viktor... But he meant it with true sincerity."Thank you.." Viktor replied, a little hesitantly as his eyes searched Jayce's for any hint of lie. He couldn't find it, so it must of been true. 

"See, you're learning." He joked, causing Viktor to snort. 

"Shut up and kiss me, Jayce... And do not stop."