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Chapter Text

Ever since Jayce hit puberty, he has had an obscene sex drive .

At first he thought that every young man had thoughts like his, getting excited over simple thoughts and touches, being distracted by a person's smell or voice, or daydreaming in the middle of a very important math class but he very quickly realized this was simply not true at all. He became very careful at the things he did and thought about, just because someone brushed their hand against his didn't mean they wanted anything from him, nevermind wanting him to fuck them senseless into his bed until they couldn't move or speak, it was a real issue for a while.

As Jayce grew he got much better at holding himself back, letting his partners lead in their sexual exploits, only going as far as kissing or light touches. He was often scolded by his partners, being told he was too coy, or even passive at times of passion, where they wanted him to take over, be rough, but he really didn’t want to scare them with how lustful his mind could be. It was never fun for him, he admitted, but he wouldn't dare push those boundaries and hurt those around him, he simply wasn't that kind of guy.

The one place he couldn't stop his mind however, was in his dreams. He always had the most intense wet dreams, faceless partners taking him to his hilt, their moans spurring him on in excited and primal thrusts, orgasms so hard that he shook, filling his partners so much their stomachs bulged. He could never escape those dreams, and he always woke up to find himself in a sticky puddle and more exhausted than when he went to bed.

It wasn't until college that he found he had a type. Growing up and in his highschool days he found he didn’t really care, boy, girl, non-binary, tall, plump, he really did not care. He chalked it up to his unrelenting horny brain just wanting anything to fuck and then just settling on a pillow or sock at the end of then day, after all he wasn’t a whore. He had his fair share of partners, of course, but he never went out just to find himself a warm body, a name he would never remember, or just a one time use. That went too far for him, He wanted a Partner.

In college however, more specifically as he started teaching, he found that his preferences had changed. He loved people, often men, who were smaller than himself and at least a little scholarly, at least enough to hold an engaging conversation. It wasn't even hard to find people he preferred physically, he was a big guy, he yearned for physical labor with his cattle dog like energy, the need to work and move, it built his body easily and he found that he could lift people even slightly smaller than him very easily.

It may have become a kink, possibly, who knows. All he knew was when he dreamt at night, the person under him was always smaller, the way he could hold them down, the bulge in their stomach, the way he could pin their wrists with just one hand, made him hurt and he was desperate for that in his waking life as well.

So imagine his surprise when he walked into his engineering class and his TA was a slender, gorgeous man, slightly shorter than himself with long fingers, fluffy hair and glasses, he knew he was rightfully fucked.

—-------------------

Jayce, if he was being completely honest with himself, didn't really register the first week of teaching. He had learned his assistant name, Viktor, He failed to provide his last name. A cultural difference Jayce assumed. He was also an engineering enthusiast but chose to be a TA instead of a teacher due to the more flexible hours and not having to deal with all that pesky paperwork he simply did not have the time or patience for. Viktor also liked the access to the school's laboratory that the position granted him, provided he spent a few hours a week alongside Jayce in his classroom. It felt like a fair trade to Viktor and he did genuinely enjoy sharing his knowledge, but only on his terms.

He learned over the last couple days that Viktor did know his way around the Architectural side of engineering but he specialized in Biochemical and Electrical engineering, something that Jayce himself only dabbled. Jayce had learned that Viktor was good with his hands, especially around the more intricate works, smaller moving parts and intimate details that Jayce himself would have never realized. Jayce often thought about Viktor's hands, his long fingers, how they moved and wrapped around tools, pens and books. He very much wanted to know what it felt like to have Viktors hands wrap around his-

Jayce heard a small noise coming from his left, looking over at where it came from, Viktor was clearing his throat, nodding to the board where Jayce had gone off his writing of the subject matter and was instead writing about his interpersonal thoughts, rather his likeness for slender fingers. Looking back at the board, he quickly wiped it away and was turning a very undignified shade of pink.

Scribbling down some last minute math to fill the board, he spun on his heels, clapping his hands together to get everyone's attention, “So does anyone have any questions about today's lecture?” Seeing as it was 4pm on a Friday Jayce prayed that everyone would just rather be at home or out with friends then to keep the class for longer than truly necessary. His eyes shifted around the room, settling for a moment on Viktor who was also busy eyeing the classroom over his wire rimmed glasses, waiting for any possible questions.

Satisfied he smiled, He always had a very bright and charismatic smile and he knew it, often using it to his advantage when wanting something to go his way. This was definitely this time to use it. “Then you are free to go! Have a safe weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!” Jayce’s voice was bright and friendly, hands still clasped together, the action grounding him in a way he really didn't expect. He was grateful as the class grew empty.

Jayce gave a long sigh, falling onto his desk chair, it spun a little as he did, facing more towards Viktor, who was carefully gathering and packing away his things in a small worn out satchel. Jayce was grateful that Viktor didn't want to talk about his mishap with the chalkboard, he didn't have any explanation and he really didn't want to tell this man he's only known for a week the true reason behind writing about slender fingers on the board.

They said nothing, an awkward silence filled the room, Jayce licked over his teeth trying desperately trying to find a way to break the awkward silence between them, and ultimately he did fail. Viktor finished packing away his things, carefully took the glasses from his nose and tucked them in the breast pocket of his dark coat. Jayce suddenly mesmerized but every graceful movement the other made.

“Today's lecture was very, eh, entertaining Mr Talis.” Viktor said slowly. His accent, Jayce thinks Czech, was absolutely mesmerizing. Jayce adored it so much. He often recalled Viktor’s voice when he's alone, what it would sound like if Viktor couldn't think in English anymore and defaulted to his mother tongue. Curses and begs for Jayce to continue in a frantic language Jayce didn't understand but the context drove him feral. He may have a voice kink, he suddenly realized upon reflection.

“Uh” Jayce is stunned for a moment, desperately trying to collect his thoughts, his mind feeling quite literally like a blue screen.

“T-Thank you Viktor.” He said looking at his desk with an expression like, thank you wasn’t the right word, but he really didn't know what else he could have possibly said in that moment. Recovering quickly he smiled up at the man with a bright smile.

“At least it was entertaining!”

Viktor stiffened slightly, the grasp on his bag tightening a little as his cheeks dusted a light pink, giving a small smile in return.

“That's for certain.” Viktor let out a soft, but genuine laugh at the others' response. Jayce felt his cheeks grow warm and his smile didn't fault. He found he really liked making Viktor laugh, he did not often see the elder smile, let alone laugh. So everyone felt like an accomplishment.

They stood in comfortable silence for a long moment before Viktor made another sound, gripping his cane slightly.

“I guess I'll see you on Monday, Mr Talis” he bowed politely

“Jayce, please, you can just call me Jayce, no need to be overly polite when we’re very much equals.” Jayce stood, gathering the papers on his desk idly.

Viktor nodded, looking down as it to chew on the thoughts. To weight the idea of them being equals in his head. Jayce thought they were, even with the slight age difference. He however could never tell what Viktor was thinking, he was a surprisingly hard man to read when he wanted to be, unlike Jayce who was an open book, often wearing his emotions on his sleeve.

“Yes,” Viktor said finally. “Equals.”

—-------------

Sleep evaded Jayce that night, His mind was a swirl of invasive horny thoughts, He groaned loudly at a particularly stubborn fantasy he had that included Viktor. Jayce tried to refuse entertaining the idea but the thought aroused him so much it was nearly impossible. Viktor was the embodiment of everything that turned Jayce on unfortunately. He did feel a little uneasy at that thought. He could control himself of course, but on nights like these, with a pit in his stomach growing hot with arousal, he let the fantasies overwhelm him.

Tonight the scene that plagued his mind was one he had more than once. He would be holding Viktor up in front of the class, He didn't think Viktor would weigh very much at all, admittedly another turn on he had found himself entertaining a lot as of late. Viktor’s legs would be spread, showing off his pretty cock for the class, leaking and red. He would tease Viktor, calling him a slut for letting everyone watch them, how he got off on everyone's eyes on him. Giving them an up front and personal fucked up gay sex-ed demonstration.

Sometimes he would imagine letting his students come up and touch Viktor. Not often though, Jayce found that he was weirdly possessive of Viktor, not wanting to share what he deemed his. But it was almost always in front of people, their eyes ogling them as he made Viktor scream in his native tongue.

Jayce shoot his head, what a fucked thing to think! He would never do anything like that. But he couldn't ignore how hot he felt, how his cock strained against his sweats, begging to be touched after such an idea. Jayce let out the most pathetic whine, he felt slightly bad at the implications of the fantasy, but the idea of Viktor always felt like a good idea. How he would sound, feel, smell. Everything about Viktor drove Jayce crazy. With that alone, he sighed, palming himself through his pants. It was going to be a long night. His dreams were going to be ruthless.

—-------------

Viktor found Jayce very entertaining. He noticed how Jayce looked at him from the corner of his eye, how Jayce seemed to downright drool when Viktor stretched in his small chair beside Jayce’s desk, showing off his long slender body, how sometimes his clothes rode up with the action revealing a sliver of his pale skin driving the other to turn away in panic and scribble on whatever paper was in front of him. How Jayce often pulled away quickly when their hands would touch for a second too long.

Viktor loved every second pretending that he didn't notice Jayce's reactions to him. Viktor was a menace, He loved seeing all the ways he could drive Jayce crazy big or small. He peered over his glasses at Jayce, entirely more than necessary because he adored the shade of pink Jayce turned. He spoke slower, letting his accent drip from his lips as a tease, watching Jayce’s jaw practically drop when Viktor spoke too long. He adored driving this man crazy, he really wanted to see just how far he could push Jayce without giving himself away.

After a few months of teaching together Jayce did become more comfortable around Viktor, and Viktor absolutely took advantage of the situation as often as he could.

One drizzly, cold afternoon, they met up at a coffee shop after class, it was tucked away and quiet, not too far from the grounds of the school, Viktor could comfortably walk to it. Jayce arrived first, perking up like an excited puppy when he saw Viktor enter, Jayce waving frantically to get Viktor's attention, showing him that he had already procured a table for them. After spotting such a display of energy, Viktor made his way to the table, resting his cane and sachell on the chair before sitting himself.

“I apologize, I do not travel fast these days” Viktor smiled, knowing how much it drove the taller mad. Viktor did not smile much, but he found that he really liked how it affected Jayce, and how it made him smile in return, and Viktor really liked Jayces smile.

“Did you order yet?” Viktor asked, folding both slender hands on the table in front of him in a calculated move to show them off. Jayce pretended not to be staring and Viktor held his gaze, pretending like he didn't see Jayce starting either.

“Not yet” Jayce said a bit too quietly, So Viktor decided to try something.

“Speak up Jayce, I cannot hear you when you mumble like that” Viktor shook his head, his voice was strong, a command given to see exactly how Jayce would react, and just as predicted, Jayce straightened up right away, his eyes bright and on Viktor.

“I haven't ordered yet, would you like me to get you anything?” His voice now much clearer than before.

“Thank you for asking, Jayce” Viktor said smoothly, much in the same tone he would say ‘good boy’. He did not miss the way Jayce practically stood at Viktor's words, perhaps he understood the hidden praise in the words too. Victor, being very much pleased with himself, tilted his head to look up at the man across from him, resting his cheek on hand, his elbow now resting up on the table.
“Could you please get me some sweet milk, and whatever pastry you recommend.” Jayce shot up from his spot at the table, walking as quickly as he could manage to the counter. Viktor laughed softly to himself. He wondered for a moment if Jayce liked being told what to do. In what capacity could he push this new knowledge to his benefit, and how much fun it could be. He was a scientist after all, some experimentation was in his nature.

When Jayce returned Viktor was careful about how to accept his drink from the man, making sure that just his fingertips grazed the other when accepting the cup. smiling gently with a soft ‘thank you’ as he placed it on the table. Jayce all but dropped the plate of pastries in response. Causing Viktor to blink up at him in surprise.

“Sorry” Jayce mumbled while slipping back down onto his seat. It was a careful movement. One that suggested he was hiding a slowly growing hard on. This intrigued Viktor endlessly, because their touch had been very minimal, perhaps it was his voice that triggered Jayce more? Another hypothesis he wished to test.

“Ah, Jayce!” Viktor suddenly remembered something he needed from the man, causing Jayce to perk up, He eyes Viktor's delicate fingers unclasping and digging into his bag that hung over his chair. Pulling out a very well loved notebook, its spine broken, the papers curled at the edges where Viktor held the pages back when writing. Viktor made a sound of triumph as he placed it on the table.

Pulling his glasses from his breast pocket he very carefully placed them on the bridge of his nose, opening the book to look inside. Jayce audibly swallowed, Viktor ignored this as he flipped slowly though the pages trying to make a show of every movement he made with his hands. muttering under his breath as he looked for the right page

“Kde je…?” (where is...?) He pondered just loud enough for Jayce to hear him. Judging by how Jayce shifted in his spot out of the corner of his eye, he knew he struck something.

Glancing up at Jayce, who was now quite the beautiful shade of red, really complementing his skin tone. Viktor turned the book to Jayce looking back down at the page of notes, pointing his long fingers at an equation scribbled at the bottom, Then looking back up at his friend from over his glasses he spoke.

“I am having trouble getting this formula to work with this experiment I am doing, and since you have a better understanding in this area I had hoped you could help me.” Viktor let his accent really bleed through his words here. He was very curious of the taller man's reaction, He was not disappointed.

Jayce looked as if he was going to physically explode. His cheeks were a dark red, a point he tried to hide by putting his hand over his mouth, faux in thought over the equation presented to him. His other hand anxiously tapped against the small table, he shuffled around uncomfortably in his seat, like the very thing was pinching him. Viktor however sat still and patient. His head slightly cocked at the younger man awaiting his answer.

“I uh.. “ Jayce said with a slightly breathy tone. Viktor's brow rose in false concern, He decided then to play the part of a concerned friend.

“Oh, Jayce, are you not feeling well? You look as if you have a fever.” Viktor rose from his seat without any warning, stretching his lanky body over the small table separating them, placing the back of his hand on his friend's forehead. Jayce froze. Viktor didn't dare sneak a peek in Jayce's lap but he could well assume what was hiding there, everything Jayce did gave it away. Instead Viktor made eye contact with the man, intimate and sweet.

“You are quite hot, you really should go home.” worry painted Victors face, and Jayce's eyes dilated.

“I- Perhaps you’re right.” Jayce muttered softly, he didn't have the energy to be any louder.

Viktor sat back down, closing the notebook he took the cup in his hand, sipping delicately at the sweet liquid inside. “We can meet another time Jayce, you have my number.” Viktor smiled one last time. On the surface it looked kind, sweet and full of understanding. He however smiled because he knew what he had done and was very proud of himself.

Jayce awkwardly nodded again, and as Viktor turned to put the book back into his bag, awkwardly shuffled out of the shop doing everything in his power not to give away just what Viktor had done to him, the simple things that got him mad in his pants. As the door to the shop closed with the small bell sound, Viktor sat, pleased and proud. Oh the plans he had in store for Jayce.

Chapter Text

Jayce was fucked. Royaly and utterly fucked. It had been a couple days since he was nearly driven to bend his colleague over in a cafe. Jayce tossed in his sheets, it was nearing 3am, and all Jayce could think about was Viktor. The man was stunning, elegant and in a weird way charismatic, to Jayce, and Jayce alone that is. He always knew exactly what to say and do to get Jayce worked up. Resulting in Jayce muttering sweet nothing into his pillow, his third orgasm threatening to crash its way through him with no mercy.

Jayce felt his cheeks burn, he was breathing a bit harder than he realized. Normally getting so worked up over basically nothing would be frustrating, but he never got tired of imagining the smaller man.

It was hot in the small room, and a fan hummed happily near the window working very hard to try and move some of the stale, hot air around. Jayce was only wearing sweats tonight, the sheets kicked to the bottom of the bed. Staring up at the ceiling he chewed his bottom lip, now desperately hard in his pants. His head spinning with replays of everything in the cafe.

Closing his eyes Jayce remembered Viktor, his careful, slender hands. His honey voice oozed that delicious accent of his. Jayce realized that he was circling in his thoughts, he simply couldn't get these thoughts out of his head. How he wants Viktors delicate fingers to wrap around his cock. What would they look like? Would they be able to wrap all the way around?

Jayce let out a soft whimper, His mind was running away from him. He tried, he tried so hard to keep his mind at bay but the dam was about the break. The horny floodgates were about to burst and he was about to let them. He took a shaky breath in, snaking his calloused hands down his torso, imagining that it was Viktor. Ultimately it was a waste of time, since their hands were so vastly different from each other. Jayce growled in frustration, nothing felt quite enough, and as he palmed himself, his fingers searing hot and ready to start his normal song and dance. Just then his phone went off.

Immediately Jayce stopped. It was 3am on a Sunday night, well Monday morning, who could possibly be texting him?

Vik: Evening Jayce, I won't be able to make it into work tomorrow, I have already informed Heimerdinger.

Looking down at his phone and his brows furrowed, worry painted across his face. Why did Victor decide to text him now? Did something happen to him? He quickly weighed in his head if it was appropriate to be concerned. Of course it was, he decided. So he texted back almost immediately.

Jayce: No problem, are you ok?

He didn't, for some reason, expect Viktor to text back right away. So when he did, Jayce’s heart did a little flip in his chest and his feet did a little kick.

Vik: Yes, Thank you.

Well that was frustratingly unhelpful. Was he hurt? Sick? Lost in the sewer twenty miles from Piltover?! Jayce felt brave, with the lack of sleep and his senses simply not working due to his brain swimming with horny thoughts, He called him. Jayce pressed call and called Viktor. At 3am, on a Sunday.

“Hello?” Viktor's voice was dry, his accent thick with exhaustion. It caught Jayce so off guard that he forgot to answer for the first ten seconds.

“Jayce..?” Oh the sounds of his name on Viktor's lips nearly made him moan out loud. He instead cleared his throat dramatically. Hoping beyond hope that Viktor didn't realize just how stupid Jayce was being.

“Hey Viktor!” His voice cracked and he was wildly glad that Viktor couldn't see him blush.

Viktor laughed softly, the kind of tired but amused laugh that made Jayce absolutely melt. He smiled to himself, feeling the tension leave the call.

“I uh.. I wanted to see if you were ok..?” Jayce's words were careful, soft and trying to be nurturing. Trying with everything he had to let Viktor know that he was in fact safe in his company.

There was silence on the other side for almost too long. Jayce could feel his heart beating hard in his chest, did he say something wrong? And just as he was debating just hanging up and pretending this downright embarrassing call just didn't happen, he heard something from the other side of the call. A hiss of pain.

“Vik..?” Jayce’s voice was so small, he didn't even know if Viktor could even hear him.

“I am in pain..” Viktors voice came out almost frustrated, exhausted by having to explain himself. Jayce knew Viktor walked with a cane but he had truly no idea to the extent of his pain, he was very private about that fact. Still, Jayce felt extremely guilty that he couldn't deduce such a simple reason for Viktors mood.

“I'm sorry.. I shouldn't have called it’s la-” Jayce tried to sputter out before he was cut off.

“No! .. No..” He sighed softly. “I appreciate your call Jayce.” Gods above Viktors accent made his brain stop working.

The call was back to being awkwardly quiet after that, neither of them wanted to be the one to speak first, break the silence after such a bizarre chain of back and forth. When Jayce heard from the other side another sharp hiss of pain, his ears perked up a little, he physically sat up at his bed and looked worried at his phone.

“Viktor?”

“Jayce, did you have any pets growing up?”

“What?” Jayce, now thoroughly confused, blinking wildly a few times. Trying to connect the dots of apparent thoughts that had strung itself though Viktors mind. Turns out it wasn't that complicated at all and Jayce other thinking was again, his biggest downfall.

“I want to keep my mind off my leg.” Viktors voice was dry, seemingly unamused at Jayce’s stupid question.

Chewing at his lip he let out a small ‘oh’. “I had a dog growing up?”

“Is that a question?” Viktor laughed again in that tender tone.

“No! I did! His name was Roger.. I named him, y’know, like.. ‘Roger dodger’.” Jayce laughed at himself for such a stupid kids name for a dog. His hand even covered his face in slight embarrassment. “He was a Bernese.” Jayce spoke fondly of his past friend, telling the man on the other side of the phone everything. sudden rushes of memories flooded back into his head.

That dog saved his life so many times. Roger was a big lovable goofy dog that fell in love with anyone he came across, He was also fiercely protective of Jayce and his mother. When Roger passed, Jayce didn't get another pet. No one could be the same as Roger was. So he never tried, until very recently he mused the idea of getting a cat. No real reason, of course. Absolutely none.

Vitor's voice was soft, he almost sounded on the verge of sleep. “He sounds.. Eh.. how.. roztomilý?” (lovely, cute, sweet) Jaycees heart skipped in his chest, he swallowed so hard it hurt. He wanted to hear more things, he wanted Viktor to plow him only speaking in his mother tongue, He wanted to whisper sweet nothing he couldn't understand in his ear. Viktor had him by the balls, his sleepy broken voice trying to remember English words Did things to Jayce.

“P-Pardon me..?” Jayce asked, trying to not let his voice shake. Viktor was quiet for a moment.

“Roztomilý” He repeated, letting his accent shine beautifully. “It is.. to say.. Charming? Cute?”

“Oh”

“Oh?” He sounded slightly offended, Jayce thought. He was wrong, Viktor was amused.

“I-im sorry I didn't mean anything by it! I thought it was interesting!” That wasn't a lie, in fact he found it so interesting he wanted Viktor to call him cute like that. Jayce was really dwelling on his new found voice kink. It was consuming him so fast that he felt himself twitch in his sweats. Oh great.

“Is that right?” Viktor mused. Slow and sultry.

“Mhm” Was all Jayce could manage without moaning. This was bad.

“I will keep that in mind.” Jayce could hear Viktor smile on the other side, before it was cut with a sharp sound of pain. Unfortunately this only killed Jayce's boner slightly.

Before Jayce could ask, Viktor spoke, but his voice wasn’t right with pain, it was low, almost calm. Like he was trying to pull at every string that Jayce has to unravel him, but of course that can't be right, right?

“I usually try and massage my thigh when it cramps.” Jayce sat on the edge of Viktors words. Waiting ever so patiently for him to continue. Viktor let out a soft groan, indicating he was trying to indeed massage his leg. But the sound made Jayce melt into his mattress. His eyes slipped closed to listen, and imagine. This was dangerous, but Jayce at this moment didn't give a single fuck.

“But every time I try.” Viktor continued slowly. “I can't get a good angle, my hands aren't quite strong enough..” Viktros voice started to blur with Jayces imagination, he wanted his hands on Viktor so badly, to take away his pain and sore that haunted him every second of the day. Dragging his thumb across Viktors leg, down his thigh, over his fair skin, listening to all the ways Viktors breath would hitch. He would praise Jayce, for being such a good help, for being gentle with him. Jayce hadn't realized he started panting at the idea. Viktor however, did.

Viktor lay in his bed, it was large for only one person, but the ways he often found he needed to stretch over the dang thing to get to sleep, demanded a lot of room. He was lightly dressed in boxers that hung off his frame, and an undershirt, simply because he didn't love being exposed when not under the covers. He liked being covered. And with how quickly he kicked off his sheets, he didn't want to feel cold or exposed. He has realized with his linguistic slip-up that Jayce was turned on, And so was he.

Viktors fingers were ghosting over his stomach, his shirt bunched up, exposing skin that he traced patterns over with his nails. He liked the almost touch the action gave him. Sensitive but effective. When he heard Jayce start panting however, his hand slowly ghosted down his stomach, over his thighs and rested directly over his cock. Not moving it, just resting.

“Maybe I should ask you for help.” He drawled, his accent punctuated on the word ‘help.’ The sound that came from Jayce’s end was delicious. Like he was biting back a moan at the last second, and clumsily trying to recover with a cough. Viktor smiled. Pawing at himself slowly. Before Jayce could respond He continued.

“Your hands are much stronger than mine,” He repeated. Lower this time, playing with how he could have his voice sound and simply claim it as ‘being tired’. “I have seen you work Jayce, both delicate and rough. You always get the job done.” Viktor licked his lips, He could hear the very faint sound of a whimper. One trying to hide, but clearly a whimper. Viktor let his head fall back, relishing the sound of Jayce was making him go absolutely feral, but he couldn't break yet. This wasn’t the time, and he was having much too much fun teasing.

“I- uh..” Jayce was struggling, Viktor let him. “I could help.” He managed, Viktor knew he was trying to carry on the conversation to not give himself away. It was charming, in a dumb kind of way. He wasn't fooling anyone but himself. Was this fooling him? Viktor wondered for a moment.

“If you’d like..” Jayce let out a sigh, probably to make him sound more in control. “I could uh.. Make you dinner, and try.” Tempting, Viktor thought, but he wasn’t ready to be alone, alone with Jayce yet. There was a comfortable buffer between them at the moment. Before, it was simply being in public places, and this time it was the phone. Viktor wasn’t really sure what would happen if he let himself be truly alone with the other man, the thought honestly scared him a little. It would be too real. His feelings would go beyond just being a tease, and from what he heard about Jayce, he wouldn't feel the same. So he decided to put that wall up as politely as he could.

“Mm, that's very sweet of you Jayce.” He didn’t miss the way the others' breath caught on the other end at his name. “But I have to decline..” Viktor's voice was almost a whisper. He didn’t want to decline, but it seemed to be the smartest move at the moment. He couldn't even explain why.

Something twisted in the call, Viktor felt, something inside him wilt a little. Letting a small part of him die. It felt like he had closed that door forever. He didn't actually! He just wasn’t ready for something so intimate. The other end of the call didn’t feel too great either, Jayce was quiet for a long moment. This didn't sit well with Viktor, he frowned at his phone.

“Yeah” Jayce said flatly. “Another time.” another long beat of silence, “I should go to bed Vik, I have work in the mo- well, I guess later now.” Viktor looked over at his clock, it was 4:30 now.

“Have a pleasant rest Jayce..”

“Goodnight Viktor.”

The line went dead, and Viktor let his phone rest on his chest. His arms splayed out on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He felt like a fool. With a soft groan, he rolled onto his side, phone now lost somewhere in the covers, He did not care, he just wanted to sleep.

On the other side, Jayce was curled up in a ball, gripping his hair hard in his fingers. How could he have been so stupid! He definitely crossed the line with Viktor. He should have never offered such an intimate meet-up? Date? Whatever, He ruined it, with his horny brain and pushy nature, he drove his friend away. He fucked up.

Chapter Text

The next couple weeks, Jayce admitted, were awkward. Viktor wasn't as vocal with him as before, and when Jayce tried to touch him, a simple lean or shoulder bonk, Viktor instantly shied away. It was weird for them, especially with how close they were growing with each other.

Texts were dry, invitations went unanswered and silences were often awkward and full of tension. It was eating Jayce alive. He knew he fucked up, He knew he broke something that couldn't easily be repaired but he so desperately wanted it to be ok again, he just didn't know how to fix it.

One lunch, when Jayce was picking at his plate in the teacher lounge, and far too gone in his own head, he was approached by another teacher. Mel, a beautiful, tall, sophisticated woman who often wore gold accessories that flattered her complexion. She taught Political science, Jayce had often seen her around the school and even had some pleasant conversations with her off and on.

“Eating alone again I see.” She snuck up on Jayce, or so it felt that way. He jumped a little in his seat, startled by the sudden appearance of this gorgeous woman. Jayce flushed a little. Embarrassed that he wasn't really paying attention and just got scared by a simple greeting, rubbing the back of his neck he chuckled slightly.

“Ah, haha, yeah, it seems I may have upset my partner.” His voice was coy and small. Not really wanting to admit out loud that he did something stupid.

“Oh? And what might that be? A brilliant man like you doesn't seem the type.” Mel sat herself gracefully down across from him, She didn't have any food but set down instead a collection of small books and a notebook on top. For research? Jayce wondered. It didn't really matter.

“To fuck up?” He asked her with a cocked brow. Looking up at her from her stack of books.

“To let something so small bother you to the point of distraction.” She clarified. Rolling his eyes he thought the statement was a little far fetched and unrelated.

“Well it does, and I do.. He means a lot to me and I didn't mean to offend him.” Digging his fork into his plate he squished around the food now gone cold. Letting his mind float away again. He really didn’t mean to upset Viktor, It was late and he was focused on the energy that Viktor himself had presented. Did he read the signs wrong? Was his brain that fogged up with lustful thoughts of Viktor that he completely overstepped the grounds of their partnership? He hoped not. A tight knot of anxiety twisted in his stomach, He should talk to Viktor. Face to face, that's what needed to be done.

Mel reached across the table, resting her hand on his. For a moment Jayce froze. Her hand was slender and beautiful. Not so unlike Viktors, fuller perhaps but not leagues different. His eyes shot to her face and she smiled warmly at him. They stared at each other for a long moment before she spoke. Her voice was caring, warm and very supportive.

“Jayce Talis, Stop being stupid and go speak with him.” Tilting her head she laughed slightly. “I have never met a more stupid, smart man in my life.” Jayce was taken aback. She barely knew him and still had the gall to insult him? It didn't matter that she was right, He looked at her dumbfounded. He squinted at her, unable to make any kind of words. Her statement was just wild to him.

“Excuse me?” He managed to say, tilting his head as if to try and hear her better.

“It is so plain to see that you care for him, why dwell on these things when talking it out is a perfectly reasonable way to solve your issue.” She pulled her hand away, still smiling. “I mean, have you even tried?”

Jayce bit the inside of his cheek. “No,” He admitted sheepishly. Mel laughed, not in a mocking way, in a way that suggested she cared for Jayce but was amused by his blunder.

“Of course you haven't!” She said covering his mouth to be polite. “That would simply be too easy, wouldn't it?”

Jayce turned red and looked away, Mel had a way of easily shining a spotlight on all his insecurities, of exposing all the shitty muck that manifested in his brain that caused him to dwell on unrelated things like a damn idiot. He was so caught up in the fact that he did fuck up, he didn't think about why it was a fuck up. What he could do to solve the issue, if it was a problem or if he was just making it one. Mel has exposed all that bubbling self doubt goo that was poisoning his brain and she told it to cut that shit out, and he was very grateful for that fact.

Jayce smiled slightly, He was glad she was here. Weird harsh truth and all, and he could see her becoming a good friend to him. Especially being as blunt with him now as she was, She was a good person to help him. Jayce let out a kind of strained laugh, She was right. He was being a total idiot and he wanted to go talk to Viktor. For everything to be ok and to be told how he can achieve that instead of grasping at imaginary straws.

The pair laughed softly with each other and Jayce thanked Mel for pulling his head out of his ass. She smiled at him, warning that she wouldn't be so nice next time she was tasked with the job. He told her that he wouldn't have it any other way. They sat and spoke a little longer, Jayce asks for some general advice on what he might do to make Viktor a little more comfortable with the conversation. She told him to be himself, genuine and to probably be sitting.

“What? Why sitting?” He was mildly confused, seemingly unaware that he was built like a house and as tall as a wall. Mel quirked her brow and gestured to him as a whole. He rolled his eyes.

“You just gestured to all of me?” He raised his hand in confusion again and Mel took a moment to herself. He cannot be this dense.

“It's your stature Jayce, I have seen you together, you tower over him like a street lamp.” Jayces face went deep red, the tips of his ears matching. This attachment triggered something primal in his stomach. He could easily overpower Viktor, pin him down and use him until he-. Oh good, another Kink he found he had in an awkward situation.

Jayce's head went back to the conversation at hand. He wasn’t stupid, He thinks, He just doesn’t think about shit like that. It never occurs to him that he might be perceived as intimidating because he simply isn't! He's approached all the time by students and staff alike in a friendly manner so it never crosses his mind that him towering over them could be seen as a manipulative power move to get his way.

“I understand.” His voice was small and he tried to slump down into his chair to make himself look as little as possible. This made Mel laugh. It was cute to her that he did not register the world in the same way She did. It was so interesting to see him interact and act with the information he had.

“Approach it in a neutral location, one not too crowded, and somewhere he cannot just ignore you. So texts and emails won't work, I assume you know that,” Jayce nodded, but still very invested in what Mel was saying.

“Perhaps the library? Your classroom..? Definitely not your office, He would feel cornered there I think.” Mel put her finger to her chin as she thought. She hummed and tilted her head back and forth in query. “Perhaps a coffee shop?” Jayce perked up so fast he thought he gave himself whiplash for a movement and Mel laughed to herself. “That seems like a good option!”

Mels expression rests on a neutral but fond smile at Jayce. She once again took his hand and smiled, giving it a small squeeze. “It's going to be ok, I have no doubt that he'll forgive you for whatever happened.” Her voice was soft. Causing Jayce to avert his gaze, something about her being genuinely self made him very uncomfortable, like he didn't deserve her kindness. This of course was never true, He deserved more kindness than he thought.

“Thank you Mel” Squeezing her hand back he then pulled away, gathering his food and standing up. Looking down at her he pursed his lips, suddenly realizing what she had meant before. Looking down at her was a bit daunting, and he felt like a hulking shadow, threatening to swallow her whole.

Clearing his throat he smiled at her, politely excused himself from the lounge and went to go find his partner.

-----

Jayce found Viktor in the school's lab. It was a massive expansive lab, usually empty this time of day, so Jayce was reasonably sure they wouldn't be interrupted when they tried to talk. Viktor was on the far side of the lab, his back to Jayce, facing the wall-sized windows overlooking the city. He was tinkering with something and it took everything Jayce had to push away any lewd thoughts that flooded his head that featured Viktors fingers. He wouldn't let his dick distract him from his mission at hand, talking to Viktor, figuring out what happened.

Approaching the smaller as delicately as he could manage, he reached the desk and noticed his friend flinch. Quickly Viktor pulled off his protective goggles and blinked up at the taller man. Feeling impossibly small as Jayce stared down at him.

“Oh Jayce! I, uh, did not hear you come in.” Viktor quickly looked away, his hands pulled into his lap, fiddling with his goggles nervously. Jayce felt his face heat up, every conversation and encouragement from Mel seemed to be wiped clean from his head. He tightened his hand, digging his nails into his palm as he gathered every scrap of courage to confront the man in front of him.

“What did I do to upset you!” Jayce nearly yelled. Viktor froze.

Now What Jayce was trying to do is ask his friend what he did wrong, and perhaps that he was sorry for whatever he did, gathering all his courage and anxious energy to finally spit out the question he was fighting to ask. What came across however was Jayce yelling at the man, in an accusatory tone, what he could have done to upset the other. While looming over him, making Viktor feel smaller, trapped and intimidated. Everything was going wrong and Jayce didn’t even realize it.

Viktor let his gaze fall to his hands. He wasn’t one to let his emotions overwhelm him. He didn't often cry even in his lowest moments, but right at this moment he felt like he could shatter into a million pieces with Jayce standing over him, angry.

“I'm sorry” Viktor mumbled, He was trembling, his hands knotted together so tight they turned white,

When Jayce saw this his eyes widened, suddenly feeling so deeply saddened by the display in front of him. Dropping to his knees in front of Viktor, as gently as he could muster, took the smaller hands into his. Carefully he gave them a small squeeze.

“No, no, no, Viktor, Hey you have nothing to be sorry for!” On his knees now in front of Viktor, trying to catch his eye. Viktor kept his eyes screwed shut. Willing himself not to get emotional, It was mildly working. They sat there for a long moment before Viktor found his voice again.

“I want to be around you.” Viktor's voice was small, and he finally pulled in a deep breath. Sitting straight he pulled his hands from Jayce and folded them neatly in his lap.

“I am sorry for perpetuating that I do not want to spend time with you.”

Jayce was confused, beyond confused. So utterly in the wrong lane of thinking that he probably looked like a deer in the headlights. What on earth was Viktor on about? He did nothing wrong actually. Jayce blinked up at Viktor a few more times, the older man still not meeting his gaze. Taking a breath Jayce took a shot and sat forward, cupping Viktor's face in his hands.

“Hey, you did nothing wrong. I came here to apologize as well. For making you uncomfortable that night,” Jayce spoke in a soft but even voice. Leaving no room for doubt in the other man. Slightly surprised, Viktor met his gaze. Jayce’s eyes were warm, Viktor never realized just how beautiful they were until now. He's always only caught side glimpses of them and now he had the chance to meet them, lost in the colour. They were beautiful. With Jayce’s confession they both sat in silence for what felt like forever before Viktor started to laugh.

What was happening, why the hell was he laughing? Jayce sat frozen in front of Viktor, too scared to move, or pull away.

“Debil..”(idiot/moron) Viktor Muttered through a weak laugh, Jayce felt a blush creep across his cheeks, pulling his hands to rest carefully on Viktor's knees.

“We're idiots. I cannot believe we were avoiding each other for completely separate reasons.” Viktor smiled crookedly down at Jayce; he then wrapped his hands around Jayce’s rather large wrists and held them for comfort. He wasn't sure who he was trying to comfort specifically but he was trying. Taking a breath the elder leaned down to press his forehead against Jayce's who was still quite tall even on his knees. Jayce’s blush grew dark but he didn't move. His face felt hot. His ears burned, and his eyes pricked with tears, he was so relieved that Viktor didn't hate him.

Finally Jayce broke and laughed slightly as well. “I'm glad, you aren't mad.” he admitted again softly.

“I'm glad we’re ok.”

Viktor sat up looking a bit sheepish, he was also glad they weren't avoiding each other anymore, but his feelings about them being too close still made him uneasy. It gnawed at him how much he wanted to be around Jayce, how good and natural it felt to be in his aura. And oh did Viktor crave being around the taller man. It felt safe and stable, but all he ever heard about the man was he was addicted to being with people.

Victor heard that Jayce had so many partners that spoke about him. How he was pushy in bed, how Jayce didn't like to take no for an answer and how he always left the next morning without even a goodbye. Viktor didn't mind Jayce being needy physically. He wasn't even a stranger to being needy himself, and one night stands. He quite enjoyed the idea of Jayce using him but he needed to know he was safe, and that for one aspect in his life he wouldn't be treated as trash the next morning.

He needed to know what he wanted from Jayce. What Jayce needed from him. They needed to talk.

“I have an invitation.. To a faculty party on Friday. Would you like to accompany me, Mr. Talis?” Viktor smiled down at the bigger man still on his knees.

Jayce’s eyes lit up. “It would be my pleasure!”

Chapter Text

It was early Friday evening. Jayce was puttering in front of his mirror, desperately trying to decide what he wanted to wear, his head was swimming with thoughts and he couldn't settle on a single thing to wear.

Glancing at his phone, no messages. Viktor hadn't texted him in a few days. He was admittedly a little worried, but along with the plethora of other things on his mind, he couldn't afford to worry about this too.

Jayce let out a long groan, He was getting way too into his own head over everything. This was his chance to prove to Viktor that he loved his company, that he adored his presence in his life. How he wanted Viktor by his side every second of the day. He nearly craved the smaller man's warmth near him.

He drug his hands down his face before looking down at his phone again, It was nearly time to meet up with Viktor. So he decided to wear slacks, a Maroon button up that he decided to roll the sleeves up on. Adorning his gem encased bracelet on his right wrist, and some miscellaneous loser bracelets on his right.

He shifted in his spot, looking himself up and down in his mirror. He did settle on what he was wearing, the event wasn’t a particularly fancy one, so he didn't feel the need to overdress in a corset vest like he usually did in the more important functions.

He scooped his phone up, tucking it into his back pocket. Grabbing his blazer he put it on and sucked in an anxious breath. He was as ready as he was going to be, and he was anxious to see his friend. Jayce took a final calming breath, it didn't help at all, it never helped. Pulling open his door he locked up, made his way down the hall of the apartment building and went to meet Viktor.

They had decided the night of the invitation that they would meet up at the venue.

Jayce, being the ever anxious person he was, although people don't usually see him as the anxious type, he very much was, Was practically vibrating with energy. He climbed down the stairs of the building and made his way to the venue. It wasn't far from his apartment building, only a couple blocks or so, and it was a fairly cool night so he didn't have to worry about overheating and sweating through his shirt.

He reached the large, but beautiful building. It was frequently used for weddings, balls, quinceañeras and other very large, formal gatherings. Piltover did so love its formal, Expensive, Gatherings.

There were huge stone pillars on either side of the massive front doors that were open, welcoming a steady slue of wealthy elites into its bowels. Jayce found himself looking up at the curvature of the slope above the beautiful glass double doors. He adores Piltover's architecture. It felt sturdy, strong, and grounded. It was a secret passion of his and he dearly wished he could travel more to see how other cultures built their worlds. He wished he could see Viktors home town.

Snapping out of his head he climbed the stairs two at a time, excited to finally meet up with the elder. It felt like ages since they last spoke, and he was eager to finally reconnect. His head swam with thoughts of his friend, far more explicit since their makeup then he cared to admit, but they were there, and his face felt hot just being reminded of him. Jayce felt himself growing eager as he trailed through the polished hallways, between marble pillars and glittering sconces.

Finally he reached the main ballroom, It was surprisingly not as massive as he thought. It was still very large but not so large that one felt disconnected from the other patrons on the other side of the room. It felt just big enough that the gathering still felt intimate, and warm.

On the far side of the room from the entrance were two staircases that crawled along the back wall and met in the middle with a small balcony that overlooked the room. A person would usually announce themselves from there when making a toast or speech to greet everyone. Jayce couldn't help but to stare for a long moment. Until he felt a tender hand touch his shoulder and he practically jumped out of his skin.

As he quickly spun around on his heels he was met with the sight of Viktor, and oh what a sight it was.

Viktor was dressed in a Navy button up, not much different from Jayce’s, a vest that matched in colour, Dark slacks, adorned with a decorative silver belt. He was wearing his glasses, a delicate gold chain attached to them. But what caught Jayce’s eye nearly instantly was Viktor wore his hair half up, with the underside dyed a silvery starlight colour. This was new and it made Jayce fucking stupid.

The way Viktors hair fell, the way the chain hid behind the silvery stretch, how his face was framed, his glasses, the outfit! Jayce thought he was malfunctioning. Viktor was gorgeous, He didn’t think it was possible for this man to look better in his eyes. Clearly he was wrong. Jayce swallowed hard. Desperately trying to find the words, any words, To say to Viktor. But when he tried, only a small strangled sound came from his throat.

Viktor laughed, a soft, flattered laugh, before looping his arm in Jayce’s, encouraging them both to enter further into the room.

“I take it, you like the look?” Viktor teased. Jayce’s hand found its way to Viktors arm as they walked idly. Jayce was hot in the face, and was glad he didn’t wear a tie because he was sure he would have to loosen it if he did.

Jaycee's mind was running full tilt at this moment, Viktor looked like starlight. Simply stunning, cool, collected and put together. While Jayce himself was just a hot mess, all flustered and dumb.

He tried, he really tried his best to keep his mind clean but all he could think about was grabbing Viktor by his beautiful stunning hair and forcing his head back as he fucked wildly into him. Oh better yet pulling it out of his eyes as he looked up at Jayce from where he sat on the floor, his cock down Viktors beautiful throat.

Jayce swallowed hard, he felt his pants grow tight and decide to pull Viktor into the center of the ballroom, where a dance had started. He held Viktor tenderly in his grasp. Far enough that he couldn't feel Jayces growing issues but close enough to hide it from onlookers. Viktor initially let out a surprised sound before settling against Jayce in the dance.

This was foolish, Viktor couldn't dance. Jayce felt his face grow hot with shame when he realized that in his haste to pull Viktor onto the dance floor, to hide his own issue, he had caused another. Viktor had dropped his cane in the rush and he stood in the middle of the ballroom, basically stranded.

Viktors grasp on Jayce was tight. They were both very flushed and stunned. Viktor, in his surprise, refused to meet Jayces' eyes, instead studying a very important button on his shirt. In return Jayce was frantically looking around the room to see if he could stop Viktors cane from where they stood. He could not.

Well Fuck.

His boner was definitely gone now.

“Sakra” (Damn it) Viktor muttered under his breath, making Jayce pause. He swallowed before asking, anticipating a scolding.

“Im.. sorry..?” Jayce’s voice was small and timid, easily drowned out by the music around them.

Viktor was tense, not angry or upset but he felt uncomfortable. He didn't like how fast he was pulled and how easily it was done (in public), and how he lost track of his only mobility aid. He hated this feeling. He hated how stranded he felt in this moment, and how it pulled him back to such an unsafe feeling of being in Zaun.

“Sorry I uh..” He still didn't meet Jayce's eyes. It was awkward how they stood in the middle of this crowd of dancing people and did nothing. They didn't notice if we were being honest. Viktor was starting to spiral fast.

Feelings of not wanting to be seen as helpless and yet still desperately needing such an aid made him feel all kinds of messy things he did not want to unpack in the middle of this room of people.

Jayce’s hands grounded him. Viktor felt Jayces strong hands twitch against his body, careful not to grasp the smaller man too tight. One rest on the small of his back, barely there support and the other on his hip. Viktor blinked, he finally me Jayces eyes, soft, warm, gold eyes.

For a moment his mind stilled. Jayce kept him close, making sure that Viktord didn't spend more time than absolutely necessary standing on his weak leg.

Jayce smiled at Viktor for a moment, reminding him that he was there to solve the problem that Jayce himself started. Jayce wasn't going to leave Him stranded and shit out of luck, It was Jayces fault, and he was going to fix it. It make Viktor feel a little better, he thought. Made him feel a little more in control of himself.

So carefully, Jayce squeezed Viktors hip. It sent a shock up his spine, Viktor for once was unprepared to be in this situation and for once he was wildly not in control. But he couldn't let Jayce know that, that would give him too much power, and that simply wouldn't do.

Jayce wasn’t paying attention to him anyway, the way that Viktors frame leaned in a little further. The way he could just neatly tuck himself under Jaycees chin and be so close, to hear Jayce’s heart, his breathing, to feel him growing hot under his touch. Viktor felt himself grow flush, this really wasn’t the time to be thinking like this.

They didn't know but they were both too horny for their own good and that's kinda what got them into this whole mess.

Just as Viktor was about to explode from his increasingly horny thoughts, and Jayce about to explode from pure panic on what the hell he was going to do in this situation. There was a small barely there touch on his shoulder.

Jayce spun around so fast he nearly knocked Viktor over, But thanks to his grip on the smaller man, he didn’t. Only nearly swung him around like a ragdoll.

“Excuse me,” The woman before him was small and plump, her voice kind. But most importantly, she was holding a white and gold cane. Jaycees eyes lit up and it took everything in his power not to snatch it protectively out of her hand and present it like a prize to Viktor. Jayce instead smiled, his big warm smile that showed all his teeth and thanked her.

“Oh thank you!” Very carefully Jayce took the cane from this woman and tucked it into Viktors hand, he seemed all too relieved that it had been returned. Jayce felt a massive wave of relief wash over him, Thank the Gods it didn’t get damaged, stolen, and sold for shimmer some junkie was going to inject into the eyeballs! Jayce had never been so worried about an object his whole life.

The woman stood happily in front of Jayce, watching as Viktor got his footing, and untangled from the larger man. It was a sight to see, she admitted but didn’t assume anything from it.

“Sorry,” She interjected, her voice bubbly and light.

“Are you perchance Jayce Talis?” Her smile grew as she looked at the towering man. Jayce however froze. He didn;t know what he did but he was sure he didn’t like it. Viktor threw a curious look his way, which he didn’t like either.

“I uh” His throat was suddenly dry. “Yes, yeah I am, Can I help you..?” Jayce couldn't hide the concern that laced his voice, He was wildly unsure why this tiny woman made his pulse so fast, why he was genuinely worried about the next words coming from her mouth. This was a bit unusual for him, He spoke to adoring strangers every day, taught a room full of children without issues and even went to gatherings to speak on his school's behalf. Perhaps he was still anxious about Viktors cane, and what an asshole he was about the whole thing, He genuinely had no idea.

Regardless, He smiled at her again, waiting for her response.

The woman cheerfully looked between the two men and took a deep breath, as if to steady herself.

“I am a representative of the cultivation efforts in Zaun!” She announced cheerfully, Viktors eyes instantly lit up.

“I would love to offer you a paid all visit to review and overall come and see our efforts! We have come a long way, and knowing that you-” She glanced towards Viktor. “Are from Zaun, we would be honored with your visit!”

It took a moment for Jayce to gather his thoughts. He at some point inched his way close to Viktor to the point where they were almost touching. This woman knew who they were, Viktor and him both. She had done her research and even went as far as to seek them out. This was a well orchestrated plan of attack on her part.

The proposal however wasn’t a bad one. Going to Zaun, wait. Did she say Viktor was from Zaun? Was that true? How did she know that and not him?Jayce’s head was now a flurry of thoughts and messy feelings once again.

Viktors touch on his shoulder pulled him from his head. He glanced over at the smaller man, his touched radiated warmth that seemed to bloom over his skin. It was grounding in a way. Viktor smiled at him then at the smaller woman.

“I would love to discuss this with my partner first, do you have a contact number to reach you at?” Viktor asked with such a silky smooth voice, so put together. She seemed delighted and scrambled to take out a small notebook from her bag.

The two exchanged information, while Jayce, just stood awkwardly away from everyone, his head and mind still reeling from all the information and activity of the night. He suddenly felt like his hit points went down to 10, and he desperately wanted to go home.

—

The party was a success, they mingled a little, drank a bit and after the initial awkwardness of Viktor teasing Jayce about his cane they ended up settling on the balcony. Jayce's head was a bit fuzzy at this point, swimming with a delightful buzz. He did however want to talk to Viktor about a few things, and perhaps unfortunately, Viktor had the same idea.

There was a light lull in their conversation, Jayce felt it the best time to bring up his initial thoughts.

“So uh.” Jayce started, Viktor's eyes shifted to him but he didn’t move from his spot, leaning on the railing. “Your're from Zaun..?” Jayce’s voice was smaller than he intended, He saw Viktors smile, it was soft. He laughed a little, catching Jayce slightly by surprise.

“Yes Jayce, I am from Zaun, I am surprised you did not know from the accent.” Jayce felt his face heat up, as he turned away, sipping his drink, clearly embarrassed. He never thought about it before, after all he wasn’t born in Piltover, Viktor could have been from anywhere!

There was a small lull again, this time the energy seemed to have shifted, it was uneasy. It was Viktors time to ask his question. If they were going to spend three nights in Zaun together for this invitation he had to ask.

“I heard you were known for hurting ex partners.” Viktor knew his tact was far from graceful, He didn’t even want to meet Jaycee's eyes, but at this point, with the alcohol in his system and his general hatred for beating around the bush on more pressing matters. He decided that's where his questions would start.

Jayce choked on the sip of wine he currently had in his mouth. He sputtered for a long moment, earning a very distressed look from his partner.

“Where on earth did you hear that?” Jayce’s voice was distressed. He wanted to nearly cry. He worked so hard to make all his lovers feel safe around him and to hear that his best friend thinks this of him was heartbreaking. Jayce almost shuffled away from Viktor, scared that if he touched him Viktor would believe the awful rumors. This of course was not true, his brain was just being very rude.

“There were a few rumors about you when I started working.” Viktor was careful with his words. He didn't want to sound more cruel than he meant, But he needed to tell Jayce the whole harsh truth. After a moment of silence from Jayce, Viktor continued.

“I was told you like to uh.. ‘Play to win’” Victor awkwardly made air quotes with his fingers, while still trying to hold the small glass in his hands. “That you hurt your partners if they .. disagree?” Viktor took a long moment to try and find the English word in his head.

“If they say no?” Jayce softly tried to help.

“Protest!” Viktor snapped his fingers, finally grasping the word.

“Ah,” Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the company, Jayce didn't know what had gotten into him. He was shaking slightly from the nerves but his expression was soft. He looked out over the garden, his gaze was half lidded and he let his buzz take over slightly.

“There was this girl” He started, Viktor listening carefully, respectfully as he took a drink. He was nursing a nice buzz himself.

“She was the girl everyone wanted, popular, beautiful, charming.” Jayce chuckled to himself.

“In public anyway, She only wanted me for my stature, my body. She liked how we looked together I suppose.. And appearances were the only thing that mattered to her. She would always yell at me if I didn't dress appropriately or was late for something.”

Jayce heard a small chuckle from beside him. And he glanced over at Viktor.

“That must be why you are always very early and spend many hours dressing up.” Viktor took another sip of his drink, not meeting Jayce's glance. Jayce only answered with a chuckle of his own.

“You noticed, have you? I suppose so.” Jayce took a drink.

“Well she knew I would never lay hands on her, she was ninety pounds soaking wet!” Jayce gestured his arms out to the garden in frustration, then folded them back under him for support. “So, when we went to a party on campus, she got really flirty with me, and admittedly, I Liked it..”

A small bit of shame laced his voice, he had always felt this bubble of shame tucked into his gut.

“We had only made out until then, so when she pulled me into the bathroom, I was excited .. until I wasn’t. I didn't want our first time to be in a college frat house bathroom, so I told her no, pushed her off me and left.” There was a beat of silence.

“She didn't like that.. By the next morning she told everyone she knew about that night, everyone had it in their head that I hurt her, That I was the one who didn't like her no and.. “ Jayce couldn't bring himself to finish, He knew Viktor would understand.

There was a long beat of silence before Jayce felt a pressure on his shoulder. Viktor was leaning on him, they didn't say anything, their eyes didn't meet, but Jayce felt safe, and he was grateful that Viktor wasn't looking at him. He thought he would crumble into pieces if he did.

They stood in the comfortable silence for a long time, just listening to each other breathe.

The heat from Viktor's shoulder felt nice, grounding. When Jayce finally decided to speak, he was interrupted by Viktor.

“I believe you” Viktor leaned his head against Jayce’s shoulder, and spent the rest of the night looking out at the stars.