Archive of Our Own ^beta

“I promise I’ll look over the itinerary, Councilor Hoskel! Yes, first thing tomorrow morning!”

As soon as he turns the corner, Jayce lets his wide, well-known smile crumble and he slumps.

“I’m going to go insane, I’m going to lose it, I really am,” he tells the wall sincerely, scrubbing his hands over his face. He looks down at the papers he’d been given and imagines crumbling them up and tossing them out the nearest window where hopefully a bird would either eat or defecate on them.

But Jayce doesn’t do that, however tempting the idea is. No, he doesn’t do that because he can’t do that now that he is a member of the council. And members of the council don’t throw away documents filled with trading agreements and requirements just because they don’t want to read pages of boring, meaningless shit. They read the boring, meaningless shit and write their signature on said boring shit, then they keep reading and signing boring shit to keep their job.

Gods, he thinks as he glares at the papers and shoves them in his back pocket, uncaring if they get badly wrinkled. Gods, this must be hell. It must be.

He walks, i.e. stomps down to the lab, becoming more and more annoyed with every step.

“You make one successful invention and boom, they’re asking you to help rule the fucking city, where’s the sense in that?” Jayce asks the air, throwing his hands up. “Me, a blacksmith who just wanted to people to know magic was real and could be helpful, is now giving my opinion on how many enforcers should be stationed at the gates of the Undercity and what fucking salad should be served at the next gala. Who the fuck cares? It’s salad!”

He near-shouts the last two words and gets a few concerned and confused looks from passerby. He doesn’t smile at them, nor wave them off and assure them he’s fine. He was irritated beyond belief and tired of acting perfect. 

Once the doors to the lab come into his sight, Jayce sighs with relief. Finally, a place where he didn’t have to put on a persona, a place where he could be himself and talk to someone he actually understood. Sky walks out and spots him, waving. He smiles back and she must notice the strain from how she comes closer.

“Doing alright, councilor?” 

“Ugh, don’t call me that,” he groans. “I don’t want to hear or read that word for the next 24 hours.”

She laughs. “Tough day being Mr. Progress?” 

“Horrible. The meeting went over the two hour mark and we didn’t get out until after lunch.” He rubs his neck, feeling tension in the muscles. It would be sore tomorrow. “And then I get ambushed by Hoskel and have to talk about reading the itinerary again, because he apparently was asleep for half the meeting when we discussed. Gods, he wouldn’t shut up, Sky, and Mel wasn’t around to help me get away.”

“You look dead on your feet.”

“Thanks.” She just grins, “I tried to get down here to touch base with you and Viktor but couldn’t. I’m sorry, I know I said I would, but with the meeting and then—”

“It’s okay, Jayce. Really, we know how busy you are these days.”

“It’s not an excuse.”

“And I’m not taking it as one. We went over everything and it’s fine, no problems.”

He sighs and loosens his tie. “That’s good. Thank you. How is he?”

Sky knows who he’s asking about, so it makes her expression drop all the more obvious.

“What happened, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Uh, at least I don’t think?” She adjusts her glasses and glances at her notebook. “I-I don’t know, to be honest. He seems okay, but I keep going in there and he’s just…”

“Just what?”

“I don’t know. Distracted, not focused. Or too focused? Just kind of not all there?” Her voice pitches and he can feel the anxiety. “He can talk and hear fine, after a few tries, but he looks so tired, Jayce. Like, really, really tired. I’m starting to get concerned.”

Worry is thick in his throat, threatening to choke him. “Has he been like this all day?”

She nods. “He was here when I came in early. He was working on the schematics for the arm, hardly heard me knock. I had to yell his name to get him to look up. I didn’t notice it at first because I had to meet with another assistant, but when I came back, he looked exhausted. Like he hasn’t slept in weeks. I asked him if he was fine and he said he was, but I could tell it was lie. He could barely hold up his head.” Her fingers grip the notebook when she’s done, flexing and twitching like she wants to wring her hands.

“Okay. Okay, okay, I’ll go talk to him. See what’s wrong, try and get him to take a break.” He pats her shoulder and Sky half-smiles but her frown returns seconds later. 

“I have to go deliver these notes to Heimerdinger, but I can try and swing by after—”

Jayce shakes his hand. “No, go home. You've been here all day and need to rest. We can’t have two sleep-walking scientists, something will blow up.”

The joke brings the smile back and she bids him a goodnight before heading down the hall. He watches her go then looks at the doors, nerves igniting all over. He blows out a breath and walks toward them, already wondering what he’ll find within. He’d been a witness to Viktor’s… less than ideal working ethic. The man outright refused breaks, especially when they were close to solving a problem. He also ate and drink very little unless Jayce or Sky practically shoved it in his face. He would stand or sit for too long and agitate his leg and back, he would stay too late, pull all-nighters often, and he scoffed at the ideas of naps. Once he was focused, it was almost impossible to make him take care of himself.

Now, Jayce wasn’t saying he was the opposite. He had bad habits just lile Viktor and had done the same things many times. But once he found it genuinely affecting how he could function, he had to stop. Getting his partner to do follow his lead didn’t work. Sometimes, Viktor seemed to humor him and Sky, and allow a break or two, maybe even some tea before jumping back into work. It didn’t last, however, and if what Sky had said was true, he had dug himself into a deep hole and needed to get out before he crashed and burned.

“Viktor?” he calls as he walks through the doors. 

Normally, they had several lamps on standby for when the sun set and they were staying late. The space was almost completely shrouded in shadow aside from a small patch of golden light at Viktor’s desk. Jayce sees him bent over something with his head down. He frowns and quickly lights another lamp so he won’t trip as he makes his way over. Once it’s illuminated, he sighs at the mess in the floor. Countless papers, both neat and crumpled up lie randomly, pencils and charcoal joining them. Bits of metal and screws have him hopping over and kicking them aside.

“Vik? I know you can hear me.” He waits for an answer, but it’s silent and the back of the man doesn’t so much as twitch in reply. Jayce purposely bumps into a table with machinery, causing the metal to clink and knock into each other. When that doesn’t get any response, he moves until he’s close enough to touch Viktor.

He taps him on the shoulder, then shakes it lightly. Nothing. It’s only when he leans down to see what he’s hunched over that he hears slow breathing and realizes why he’d gotten no answer.

Gods, Sky was right.

He briefly thinks of letting him sleep if what she’d said about him not getting enough was also true, but Viktor couldn’t sleep in the lab. He had to go home and be in an actual bed. So Jayce, regrettably, grabs his shoulder and shakes him again, harder this time, and yells, “Vik, wake up!”

His partner shoots up, a noise of surprise escaping him, sending his chair flying back from the desk. Jayce catches it and him before he can fall and turns him around.

“Hey, woah, woah, it’s okay. It’s me,” he tells him, watching as Viktor’s wide eyes dart around then land on him.

“Kdo tě pustil dovnitř… “ he exclaims, leaning back and squinting. “Počkej…” He blinks several times and rubs at one eye. It’s clear it takes him a moment to register who he’s looking at. “Jayce? Why’re you here, thought you were with the council. What’s…is there something wrong?”

Jayce lets go of him and backs up. “The only thing wrong is you still being here. Why aren’t you at your apartment? It’s almost 8 o’clock.”

Viktor looks from him to the clock on the wall. “It’s… Ah. I hadn’t realized how late it was. I was busy, forgot to check the time.”

“Well, now that you know, c’mon. Let’s go.”

“Oh, I’m not leaving,” he replies and faces his desk again.

Jayce stares. “Why?”

He searches around for a pen. "I'm very close to figuring out what made the laser go off course during the demonstration.”

“And this can’t wait until tomorrow?”

Viktor glances at him, raising an eyebrow. “You know as well as I do that leaving a performance issue alone isn’t advisable.”

“Yeah, if the product is going to be released to the public before we’re done fine-tuning!” Jayce frowns and moves closer. “Pulling an all-nighter is stupid, especially when it’s concerning such a big project. You want to make a mistake and burn your arm off?”

“I shut the power core off, I’m not in any danger.”

“Well, working this much when you’re tired is also dangerous.”

“Who said I’m tired? I feel fine!” 

Jayce rolls his eyes. “Vik, c’mon. Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

Viktor’s mouth presses into a harsh line. “While I always appreciate comments about my appearance, you can submit as many as you would like tomorrow. I am busy. Goodnight, Jayce.”

“Do you honestly think it’s better for you to stay here in the dark than be at home?”

He sees how Viktor’s frown deepens, how his hand tightens on the handle of his cane.

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

“You forget your key or something?”

Viktor gives him a flat look. “No, I…” He huffs and scoops up their notes, placing them next to some broken gears. He opens his mouth, pauses, bites his lip and frowns. “The heating in my apartment…it’s not working. It broke a little while back. I’ve been too busy to call someone or fix it myself. It’s just an annoyance.”

“How long is a little while?”

“Jayce.”

“Viktor.”

His partner finds a pen and shifts on the stool. “A few weeks, give or take, but it’s fine—”

Jayce gawks. “A few weeks? It’s almost winter!”

“Yes, I am well aware, I possess eyes just like you.” His reply has the other wanting to smack him with the nearest book. “It is fine, Jayce. I’m not there enough to care. It’s an inconvenience, that's all.”

"An inconvenience that's preventing you from sleeping."

"It's not preventing, simply making it more...difficult."

“Viktor, you need to rest.”

That earns what’s almost a snort as he grabs a pen and jots down something on their schematics.

“I’m serious.”

“As am I. What we’re doing now, what we’ve been doing for months, it needs my attention.”

“We’ve been up for days doing nothing but giving the equations our attention. We both should take a break, us passing out at our desks isn’t going to help anything.”

“Well, feel free to leave and come back in the morning. I am not going to travel to my apartment just to lay in my bed for hours and waste time.” Viktor clicks the pen and mutters under his breath, crossing out what he wrote. “Our tech, our job to help people is more important than me sleeping—”

“It’s not to me,” Jayce snaps and snatches the paper away. 

Viktor sputters. “What—”

“Look, I’m tired and frustrated, but more than that, I’m worried. About you.” At the twitch his partner’s face does, he rushes to continue. “I may be gone more than i used to be, but i still notice things. You’re nodding off during tests, slow to hear me or Sky, have too many bruises from bumping into things and you’ve made mistakes you never would make if you had gotten enough sleep.” He puts down the schematics and walks closer, putting a hand on Viktor’s back. It’s tense underneath his palm. “You look more exhausted with each day and I know you don’t leave the lab every night, probably not even once a week. You have one of the most brilliant minds I know, but you’re human and need sleep just like everyone else.”

Viktor stares at the table for a long moment, before turning. His golden eyes meet Jayce’s brown ones. They’re lost their shine over the years, dulling as they grow more busy with Hextech and the city’s demand for innovation. They’ve both aged visibly, but comparing the two of them, it was plain to see that Viktor’s illness and work ethic had severely deepened the lines in his face and slouch in his posture. Most days, he looked as though a well-timed breeze would knock him over, which did nothing to help Jayce’s concern.

“Because I know you will not leave the matter alone… Fine.” 

He blinks. He’d expected more of a fight. Maybe it was his partner’s need for rest finally being too strong to ignore. “Oh, okay. Uh, good. Great. Where’s your coat?”

Viktor points with his right hand and subtly tries to hide a yawn. Jayce stuffs the plans in a shoulder bag and follows his finger. He finds it hidden under a box of screws and scrap metal. He tsks as he moves it away and brushes dust off. It’s thin and worn, and not as long as it should be. He would have to do something about that for the future.

“Alright, I’ll tell the attendant we’re leaving,” he calls as he gathers his own coat, a gift from Caitlin the previous year. 

“You’re not staying?” 

“Nope.” He returns to the man’s side and sees him frowning. 

“Jayce, just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean you can’t work, you’re more than capable—”

“I’m not staying because I’m walking with you.”

Viktor reels back slightly, a crease between his brows forming. “You’re— you don’t have to… I can walk just fine on my own, I don’t require a minder.”

Jayce rolls his eyes. “Did I say you did? I’m walking you to my place.”

He receives a series of blinks.

“Why?”

“You told me your heating is out.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you have to house me—”

“Viktor, I’m not sending you home just to freeze, even if I want you to get some sleep. And before you say you can just stay here—” He raises a hand at his indignant expression “—that’s not happening. The couch is small and not comfortable at all and there’s no blankets. Plus, no offense, but I don’t trust you to actually sleep and not just keep working.”

“Jayce,” Viktor almost growls, accent thickening the name.”This-This is ridiculous, I’m a grown man, I don’t need to be coddled.”

“You’re also my friend. My best friend, to be exact. And I’m not going to let my best friend go back to a freezing, empty apartment.” He holds out a hand and gets a sigh before another colder, thinner one takes his. He pulls his partner up, making sure he’s steady. “This isn’t me coddling or pitying you, it’s not me trying to give out charity or belittle you. It’s me offering some help.”

Viktor gives him a weary look. “You don’t need to do that. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will, ‘cause I’ll be there with you making sure you’re fine.” Jayce puts a hand on shoulder and squeezes. “C’mon, Vik. You’ve done so much for me, let me repay some of it.”

Perhaps it’s the earnestness in his voice or Viktor knowing he’s not going to give up that makes him pause. After a staring match, his partner narrows his eyes at him, closes them and sighs.

“Haven’t done that much,” he mumbles, kicking a metal cog.

“Yes, you have. But I’ll get it through your thick skull one day.” He drops his coat in the other’s hand. “Now put this one.”

“This is yours.”

“Very good observation. Put it on.”

Viktor looks more exasperated than irritated. “If it’s as cold outside as you’re making it seem, you should wear it.”

“I’m good, you know how I run hot. So either put it on or Sky is gonna walk in on me wrestling my partner and it’ll be embarrassing for all of us.”

The only response he gets is an eye-roll but Viktor pulls on the coat, leaning awkwardly to one side to keep hold of his cane. Jayce doesn’t help him because his hand will simply get batted away and walks down the hall to the attendant’s office. After bidding goodnight, he returns to the lab and finds the man leaning against the door. Jayce hides a smile as he flicks off the lights and locks up behind them; the coat swallows Viktor frame, the sleeves hanging down past his hands. 

“You know, I can always ask Caitlin for a new one—”

“If you do, I’m hitting you with my cane, Talis.”

“Okay, okay.”

“I’m not taking your coat.”

“Alright.”

“It’s just for tonight.”

“Mmhm.”

The walk to his apartment isn’t far, a little less than Viktor’s. The streets are fairly empty with only a few vendors still open. Some people mill about, but most are either inside their homes or a warm, bright restaurant. Jayce debates stopping to them something to eat, then forgets it as he watches Viktor shiver. He probably has stuff at his place to eat, or at the very least, some hot tea. 

It’s cold. Not bitingly so, but sharp enough to make their breaths form puffs in the air. He feels the chill, but he hadn’t been joking when he said he didn’t need the coat. He’d always ran incredibly hot, driving his mother insane by wearing short sleeves and thin layers in freezing weather. Why, he didn’t know, but he supposed it has it’s uses. Working in the forge also helped keep him warm throughout the day. One time, Viktor had asked to join him in the area to watch him work, take notes on how their tech was made. Jayce had agreed eagerly, wanting to show off his skills and hoping it might do his partner some good to not be so cold all the time. It had only taken a minute or two for Viktor to get overheated and come close to fainting, successfully cutting off that that curiosity.

Thinking of the man had him glancing to the side. They’d kept quiet since they had left the lab, chatting briefly about ideas to crack the equation that had stumped them for so long. On first glance, Viktor seemed to be doing fine, but Jayce had worked alongside him for years and could tell what was a show and what wasn’t. The tightness in his face indicated his leg was definitely bothering him, most likely his back, as well. And his shoulder would most likely be sore by the time they reached his apartment. His gait had started as steady but was now lopsided, uneven, and Jayce could hear how his breathing had turned labored.

He’d offered Viktor his arm before they had started walking and been refused. He normally was and had no issue with it—his partner had gotten through life fine without him for over a decade and could continue to do so—but when he saw evidence of Viktor straining himself, pushing himself, it was very hard not to feel frustrated. It had only happened twice where he’d pressed about helping him walk or climb a flight of stairs. He had promptly gotten his head metaphorically bitten off by a very irritated and indignant Zaunite, and never pestered again. If Viktor needed help in any way, he trusted him to ask for it.

Now, though, it was a different story. Jayce can see his head hang lower and lower, see his steps grow more uncoordinated, see him leaning to the side and snap back to going straight. Wordlessly, he holds out his arm. Not breaking stride, not looking at him. It takes a moment for icy fingers to wrap around his bicep and a minute later, a heavier weight rests against his shoulder. He finds a mop of messy brown hair when he sneaks a glance.

They arrive soon after, which is good as Jayce’s feet were beginning to go numb, and Viktor had grown slower, needing the other to practically tug him forward. Luckily, his apartment was on the first floor, so there wouldn’t be any jostling to get to a warm bed. He tells Viktor to sit on the couch as he closes and locks the door behind them. Kicking off his shoes, Jayce sheds his councilman blazer and loosens his tie, sighing in relief. The whole ensemble, being the golden boy of Piltover, had lost it’s charm over the years, becoming stifling in more ways than one. And now that he was a councilman, all the sitting in on countless meetings, attending galas every week, traveling to give speeches settled on his shoulders like tar. He had come to miss the lab, longing covered in grease and sweat, working next to his partner and only having to focus on not setting the room on fire. 

He walks into the living room and is happy to see that Viktor didn’t ignore him. “How about some tea? Should warm us both up.”

The Zaunite doesn’t answer. He’s looking at a framed picture, light gold eyes glued to it.

“Viktor.”

“Hm.”

“You good?”

He startles and lifts his head. “Yes. Sorry. What?”

“I asked if you wanted some tea.”

“What kind do you have?”

“Uh, green, definitely. Maybe some earl gray or chamomile. Not too big of a selection, I need to get more.”

“Green is fine.”

Jayce moves to go to the kitchen, then sees Viktor still wearing his coat. He grabs a throw blanket off an armchair, one his mom made, and takes the article off the other’s shoulders. His partner lets out a protesting noise, but stops as the thick cotton replaces the coat. 

“Oh,” Jayce hears him murmur and he smiles as Viktor pulls it closer around himself. 

“Better?”

“Ehm, a little. Thanks."

“Anytime.”

A little, my ass, he thinks when he returns, two mugs in hand, and finds him leaning on the arm cushion, eyes closed.

“Hey,” he says quietly as he sets down the drinks. He doesn’t get a response, so he nudges Viktor’s arm.

“Mm.”

“You awake?”

“Velmi.”

Jayce snorts and sits down next to him. “Wanna repeat that?”

“Proč, nemůžete…” Viktor shifts and looks at him, blinking blearily. “I’m awake, yes.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” He gets elbowed in the side. “Here. I added sugar, I know you like it sweet.”

Viktor accepts the mug, sniffing. “Thank you.” 

Jayce raises an eyebrow at how soft he utters it, but doesn’t ask. He drinks his own tea and leans back into the couch with a yawn. 

“We were at our old house.”

His partner gives him a questioning look. 

He motions to the frame. “The photo. I was around twelve, I think. We had to move, rent got raised. My mom liked the house a lot, though, so she wanted to make sure we had a reminder.”

“It’s very nice.”

“It was. Stuff broke too much, but it was home for three years. I miss it sometimes.”

“My mother is dead,” Viktor says offhandedly, then tenses as though the words had slipped out. 

Jayce’s eyes widen. “Oh. Shit, I didn’t know. I’m sorry, that’s awful, I shouldn’t’ve—” 

“No, no, don’t apologize. I never told you.” Viktor runs a finger along the rim of the mug. “It was an illness. A very… strong, potent one from living in the Undercity. Wasn’t much of a cure for it back then, not anything that could actually get rid of it, at least. It was quick, though.”

“Still. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

He shrugs a shoulder. “Under Piltover, death is a constant. It was hard, but I had grown used to it.” He sips some tea, eyes still on the picture frame. “She… she would have loved reading your notes on the gemstone. The arcane was an interest of hers. Always wanted to go to festivals where they had traveling mages. She used to tell me stories to get me to sleep, epic tales of magic triumphing over evil, but they just made me want to hear more.”

“She sounds wonderful. What was her name?”

“Irinna.” His voice trembles minutely and he clears his throat. “Probably would be the same age as your mother. They could’ve been friends.”

Jayce’s chest aches a little even as he smiles. “That would’ve been something, me and you growing up together.”

“In a good way or bad way?”

“Depends on how many explosions are considered too much.”

He sees Viktor’s mouth tilt up. “Would have stopped the rent from rising in my neighborhood.”

Jayce snorts and his partner does the same, hiding his smile in his drink. As it grows quiet, he can’t stop from yawning and cracking his neck, wincing at the stiffness.

“I think I’m ready hit the hay, what about you?”

Viktor tries to cover a yawn of his own. “If I don’t get up now, I won’t be able to later.”

Jayce collects their mugs and brings them to the kitchen, rinsing them out. “I have some old clothes if you want to change out of those. Should mostly fit you.”

The other glances at his pants and vest, burnt slightly and stained with oil. He hums. “Yes, that would be for the best. I will wash them and return them to you.”

Jayce rolls his eyes as he walks past him to a linen closet. “You don’t have to. I hardly wear them anymore, except when it’s laundry day or I’m sick. They probably don’t even fit me.”

“I’m not stealing your clothes.”

“It wouldn’t be stealing on account of me giving them to you.”

He gets an irritated look, one which Jayce ignores as he searches for a shirt, pants and socks. When he finds some that won’t be too big, he returns to the couch. On it, his partner is fiddling with his leg brace and muttering to it.

“Do you want help with that?

Viktor glances at him, then his leg, then back at him. After a moment of apparent deep thought, he lifts his hands and leans back. Jayce drops the clothing on the couch and kneels down. He had helped the other with his brace a few times before, so it’s easy to undo the straps and unlatch the metal bands. He places it on the table when it’s done and sits next to it. 

“Do you want me to do your back brace, too?”

At this, Viktor whips his head around, his face surprised and slightly pink.

Jayce notices and wants to hit himself for being so forward. “I-I mean, uh, if you’re okay with that. If you’re not, that’s totally fine and I’ll let you do it yourself.”

Viktor blinks at him and he’s reminded of a cat’s eyes, huge and alert. 

“No, you…you can. I just didn’t expect you to…” He doesn’t finish and grabs the clothes, seeming almost nervous.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“I would let you know if I didn’t want you to, Jayce.” 

“Okay. Uh. I’ll let you get changed and then I’ll help you with it.” 

Viktor nods so he turns and walks to his room, cheeks warm. He scrubs a hand over his face before tossing his shirt and kicking off his pants. Gods, Talis, why did you do that? That is such an overstep and now you’ve probably weirded him out. Can’t be normal for one second, can you? Jayce grabs a pillow and allows himself a moment of mortification, muffling a drawn-out groan. When he feels like his face is back to a normal hue, he pulls on his pajamas and pads out to the living room. 

“You done?” he calls.

“Yes. You may come in,” a quiet voice answers.

He peeks around the corner and finds Viktor shirtless, covered only by the brace and pants. Jayce holds his breath as he walks over to him, mind turning inside out at the sight of pale skin and sharp angles and moles dotting the surface. He shoves the image down and sits.

“Alright, ready?”

Viktor dips his head and turns around.

He touches the brace hesitantly, eyes tracing the metal plates and nodes. “Let me know if I hurt you or something.”

“You’re not going to, Jayce.”

“Okay, okay. Still, though, you can hit me or curse at me if I do it wrong.”

He feels Viktor’s frame shake from his chuckle. 

“There’s a button on the bottom, press it,” he instructs.

Jayce does so and the brace hisses as the metal joints along his spine loosely disconnect. Viktor lets out a breath of relief.

“Now, at the top of it, turn the knob to the left.”

The joints break apart and Jayce holds back questions on the mechanics of them as the other shifts on the couch, facing forward.

“The strap on my shoulder, here—” He taps it “—unbutton it. It might get stuck, so don’t be afraid to pull hard. You won’t break it or me.”

The latch is stubborn but after a few seconds of tugging, it comes free. Jayce makes a face as he lifts it up from the other’s shoulder and sees the red mark. 

He brushes it with a finger. “You okay?” 

Viktor twitches. “I’m fine, it always does that.”

“It doesn’t hurt?”

“Sometimes, but it’s better than dealing with a crooked spine and no support.”

Jayce presses his lips together, however he doesn’t argue. He wasn’t in the position to tell the man what to wear to help with his disability. He had no idea what it was like living with it, so he didn’t exactly get a say in the matter. That said, knowing Viktor’s aides harmed him at times didn’t make him feel any better.

“Okay, well, my room’s down the hall on the right,” he says, placing the brace on the table next to the other one. “I can get more blankets if you want—”

“Your room?” Viktor echoes. He pulls on the shirt and Jayce’s chest definitely does not go all soft at how it’s way oversized; the collar drooping below his collarbone and his shoulders poking out.

“Yeah.”

“Why would I sleep in your room?”

Jayce raises an eyebrow. “Um…why wouldn’t you…?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because!”

He stifles a snort at Viktor’s indignant expression. “Vik, c’mon.”

His partner’s shoulders raise and he’s reminded of a cat again, fur standing on end.

“I am not taking your bed.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s yours! You already gave me your jacket!”

“Yes and I’m glad I did! You were shivering like hell out there!” Jayce lets out an incredulous laugh. “I was trying to help, just like I am by offering the bed to you. I know your leg and back must be killing you by now, you need it more than me.”

“Do not use my disability as an excuse.”

“I’m not, I’m being reasonable.” He pinches between his eyes. “I’ve slept on the couch plenty of times, it’s not going to kill me.”

The Zaunite glares at him but he stays firm. He had decided what he would do the moment he walked the other to his place. And he was used to Viktor’s steel-thick stubbornness, he wouldn’t be changing his mind.

“Fine. I will take your bed.”

Jayce smiles. 

“But only if you also sleep in it.”

Huh?

"Uh.”

“We will share.”

“Oh, c’mon—”

“That is my condition. It is either that or I sleep on the couch.”

“I’m not going to let you—”

“You’re correct, you will not let me do anything as I make my own decisions.” Viktor stands and meets Jayce’s gaze. “We are both quite tired and it makes no sense for us to not rest adequately. If you’re being reasonable, you should see the logic.”

Jayce can only shake his head. “Gods, fine. We’ll share the bed.”

“Good.” Viktor limps past him determinedly and he can only follow.

The sight of his bed brings all the exhaustion to the front and he does his best to not collapse onto it. He pulls back the covers as Viktor looks around the room before propping his cane on the bedside table. They both get it without a word, though Jayce’s reason is from him not knowing what to say. He had never thought he would have the Zaunite over his apartment nevermind be sleeping in the same bed as him. 

The only noise is the mattress and frame creaking as they get settled, smothering yawns. It’s silent when they’re done apart from very distant blimp engines rumbling overhead. Jayce usually finds it relaxing, a sort of white noise in the background, but right now he’s the opposite of relaxed. He’s all too aware of his body on the bed, how close he is from Viktor, how far away, how much he’s moving and not moving, how loud he’s breathing.

“Are you, um, comfortable?” he asks. The words sound so loud, too loud.

Viktor inhales. “Yes. Are you?”

No, despite the fact that I’m in my own bed, in my apartment. “Yup.”

The other’s head bobs in his periphery and then it’s quiet again. Jayce hates it and has a feeling Viktor does as well from how he can see his hands fidgeting on top of the comforter.

He pushes out a breath and tries to not be so tense. He can do this, he can share a bed with his best friend. It was normal. It was, in fact, almost an expected thing to do with a close friend. He’d had a handful of sleepovers with Caitlin when she was younger, whispering and playing games under a bedsheet held up by chairs. It had been fun, even when Cassandra had caught them staying up too late. Those were different, though, he was realizing. Caitlin was like family, basically his little sister, while Viktor was…well, Viktor. He was definitely a friend. He was a research partner. He was also someone Jayce cared about a lot and valued company of. 

Maybe a little too much, a voice whispers in his head and he resists the urge to wave a hand and dissipate the words. 

Gods, stop overthinking it and fucking relax. You both need to sleep and laying here wondering isn’t going to help with that.

“Can’t believe you strong-armed me into this,” Jayce says, needing to break the silence.

“Why would I, as a guest, take your bed?” Viktor’s voice is flat.

“Because that’s how it works when you invite someone over.”

“It is not.”

“It is, that’s what happens.”

“It’s not— I wasn’t assuming I would take your bed, it would be rude.”

“I offered, so you don’t have to worry about being rude.”

“Well, you didn’t need to,” Viktor practically snaps.

And it’s back to being devoid of noise, except this time it’s angry and tense. 

Perfect.

Jayce doesn’t need to turn his head to see the other’s pinched frown. 

“I am not…” A sigh, then shifting on the mattress. His voice is closer. “I do not mean to sound ungrateful for your hospitality. I am just confused as to why you are being so…accommodating.”

“You mean being nice?”

“No, it’s more than that. Turning away from our research, walking me here, giving me your coat when it’s cold, helping me with my braces, giving up your room. It’s all extremely— considerate.”

He frowns. “It’s what anyone would do.”

“No, it isn’t.”

The quiet words make Jayce’s chest feel as though a gemstone was ricocheting off his lungs. “Well, it’s what I want to do. And I’ll keep doing it.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Tough shit.”

Movement catches his attention, a slight lift of shoulders. “I just don’t understand why.”

“Because you’re Viktor. That’s why.” Jayce thinks he hears a scoff and that won’t do, so he flips on his side and grabs his partner’s hand. Startled gold eyes shoot to him. “You’re worth the effort, every day you’re worth it. I do it because you’re one of the only people who believed in me, believed in my dream and trusted me to make it a reality. I do it because you deserve it. And I do it because you’re my partner and best friend, and I want to make life easier, more bearable for you in any way I can. I do it because I care.”

He’s breathing a bit hard when he’s done and Viktor stares at him, a rare moment of stunned speechlessness. His face goes a little warm but he doesn’t look away.

“That’s quite a response, Mr. Progress.”

Jayce’s eyes widen but he can’t help his mouth from curling up. He rolls his eyes and loosens his grip. “Shut up.”

“Honestly. ‘Piltover’s Golden Boy With A Heart of Gold. Pretty good tagline, no?”

“Asshole.” He flicks his arm and relaxes into the pillow, trying to hide his smile. It’s mirrored by Viktor, a small, private thing Jayce had seen less and less as the city grew. He had witnessed it all the time in the lab, flashes of it after a successful prototype, a breakthrough on a mistake, the completion of a long-awaited project.

He’d missed it.

“I’m sorry if I have acted like I do not see those acts.” Viktor turns on his side, wincing briefly from his leg. “I do. And I appreciate them. I suppose I am… not used to that sort of kindness. Maybe once when I was younger, but after I left the Undercity, not so much.” He reaches out a few seconds later, extending his hand. Cold fingers brush hesitantly against Jayce’s. “People have either ignored me or done everything they can to reduce me to my limitations for as long as I can remember. They only see my brace and cane, what I can’t do, not what I can do. They don’t make life easier for me, they make it harder or expect me to get around difficulties like everyone else. When you’ve been treated like that so many times, it…it catches you off guard when you’re presented with someone doing the opposite.”

Jayce closes his hand around his fingers before he can think, heart panging. “You’re the smartest, strongest, most capable person I’ve ever met. Anyone who believes otherwise is an idiot.”

Viktor smiles faintly. “Glad to know I have the support of the Councilor Talis.”

“You have more than that, you have Hextech.”

“The laser would do a bit too much damage, I think.”

“Then I’ll use the hammer on any asshole who tries to treat you like shit.”

“Jayce.”

“Just enough to dent them a little!”

That earns a laugh, genuine and raspy and it’s like the sun that shines off the rooftops is filling his chest. He shuffles closer and gives Viktor’s hand a squeeze. 

“I’m serious.”

“Oh, I know. I’m well-versed in your faces by now. That’s what’s scary.”

Jayce grins. His moves his legs and hits something cold underneath the sheet. He jumps. “Geez, is that your leg?”

Viktor just cracks an eye open. “Yes.”

“You’re freezing!” He bunches up the blanket and comforter and piles it onto his partner. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“M’used to it,” the other mumbles and yawns. “Bad blood circulation and all that.”

Jayce huffs and stretches an arm out to touch him, rubbing a hand over his shoulder. “Are you warm enough? Is that better?”

“Mm.”

“Viktor.”

“Yes, yes, m’warm. Go t’sleep.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Jayce settles into the pillow and almost removes his hand, then decides against it. “Goodnight, Vik.”

“‘Night.”

Slow, deep breathing fills the space. He listens to it, staring at Viktor’s face. The lines haven’t smoothed out and the bruises under his eyes aren’t softer, but one night of sleep wouldn’t undo all the late evenings and stress no matter how he wished it could. He didn’t look as burdened, at least. Driven by impulse, Jayce brushes hair out of his face, fingers carding through brown curls. He thumbs over a mole on his cheekbone and Viktor twitches in his sleep.

Jayce yanks his hand away like it was burnt and feel his face flush. What is he doing? He already practically bullied the other into coming over and how he was letting his heart get the best of him? 

Use that head of yours, Talis. Don’t make it weird. Can’t you be satisfied for once in your life? Be happy for what you two have. 

He rolls onto his back and frowns at the ceiling, hands folded on his stomach. They ache to hold Viktor’s, touch his arm, his hair, his face. He was normally a tactile person, had been his whole life, and it was no different when he met his partner. However, it was clear the Zaunite tolerated contact at best and outright despised it at worst. Pats on the back or shoulder and proud handshakes were all accepted stiffly with Viktor’s mouth pressed into a line. At no point had he rejected Jayce’s touch, but witnessing how much distance he put between him and others, Jayce didn’t want to push his boundaries. Which meant the most he allowed himself to do were light nudging of elbows and fingers, and maybe, rarely, an arm thrown around shoulders in celebration.

He wanted to do more, especially to someone so important to him. But doing more involved taking risks and the last thing Jayce wanted to do was risk his friendship with Viktor. Could he advance Piltover’s growth and future all by himself? Possibly. He didn’t want to, though. It was out of the question. He wouldn’t enjoy it as much if he didn’t have Viktor by his side, even if he was more of a motivational speaker than an inventor these days. 

So Jayce kept his hands to himself and gave Viktor as much space as he wanted and tried to believe he was happy with that. 

It’ll be fine, he thinks. I can wait as long as I need to.

He doesn’t know how much time had passed, but he must’ve dozed off because his eyes open from the bed moving. Something at his side was shifting. Probably Viktor changing positions. Jayce starts to shut his eyes but something cool touches his arm. He startles and looks down to see his partner’s face much closer than it was earlier.

“Viktor?” He doesn’t show any signs that he heard him. “What’s wrong? Is your leg bothering y—”

Before he can finish, another body presses itself against his. He stifles a noise of surprise as arms wrap clumsily around his neck and a leg tangles in between his own. Hair tickles the side of his face and a sigh of relief blows next to his ear. Jayce lays there frozen, heart racing, skin aflame with his hands raised in the air. When a full minute ends, he slowly lowers them, settling on Viktor’s shoulders and back. The touch has the thin frame relaxing into him with another contented noise. 

“Uh…Viktor?”

He receives a hum, one he feels in his chest.

“You, ah, alright?”

“Mm…je vám teplo.”

His lip twitches up despite the shock. “I take it you’re comfortable?”

“Ano, dẽkuji ti, Jayce… Miluji tě.”

“...Whatever you say. Goodnight, I guess.”

No reply, just measured breathing in his ear. He waits, but when Viktor doesn’t move again, he puts his arms around him, tucking one under his waist and the other over his side, pulling him in closer. He presses his nose to the Zaunite’s hair and inhales. The faint scent of grease, metal and what might be chemicals fills his senses. Gods, he smelled like home. Jayce breathes a sigh of his own and cups a hand around Viktor’s ribs. 

“Who knew you liked cuddling,” he whispers and closes his eyes. It felt like he was right back in Heimerdinger’s lab, floating in the air amongst blue sparks.

The moment wouldn’t last forever. When morning came, it would end. No doubt, Viktor would have no memory of his tactile ambush, or he would refuse to talk about it, and they would go back to their lives. Jayce, a councilman who would rather hammer out screws than give his opinion on politics, and Viktor, a scientist who was too busy being up his elbows in circuits to let himself rest. They would orbit around each other, uncertain if one of them would break the pattern. 

For right now, though, they were at peace and as close to as they could be without any distractions or threats.

For now, it was just the two of them again.