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Viktor liked being married, even if he never would have predicted it. He liked the people in town asking him how his husband was, their neighbors giving him snacks they think he and Jayce will like. Sharing house duties and being able to rely on Jayce for help. Adopting the little three legged cat that Viktor found under their porch.
It was never the life Viktor envisioned for himself but it was undeniably perfect, had been since they'd left Piltover three years ago.
Last year, Jayce had built two additions to their home, a study for Viktor and a workshop for himself. Jayce had taken on smithing projects for the whole village and he often came back into the house after dark, sweaty and covered in dirt. Viktor never complained.
“Jayce, there!”
“Here?” Jayce asked, his fingers repeating their motion. Viktor tossed his head back and moaned. Feeling encouraged, Jayce pressed his fingers harder.
“That's good,” Viktor said, stretching his right leg out. Jayce chuckled.
“You're just like that cat,” Jayce told him.
“Of course,” Viktor said. “We match, her and I.”
“And me,” Jayce said.
“And you, my love.”
Jayce's fingers moved up Viktor's leg, kneading into his muscles as Jayce massaged them. Viktor couldn't stop the pleased sounds from slipping past his lips as Jayce temporarily rubbed away the ache in his bad leg.
“God, Viktor. You sound erotic.”
Jayce saw the telltale mischievous glint enter Viktor's eyes. Viktor's foot was resting in Jayce's lap and he moved it slightly so his toes were pressing against Jayce's crotch.
“You could be bending me over this chair,” Viktor said. “But you were the one who said you had work to do.”
“Viktor,” Jayce chastised. “I do have work to do.”
“So do I,” Viktor said with a shrug. “We could be quick.” Jayce took Viktor’s foot out of his lap and stood up. Viktor looked up at him as Jayce grabbed the back of Viktor’s chair and leaned over.
“No, we can’t,” Jayce told him with a smile. “But I promise after I'm done, we can play as long as you want.”
“Promise?” Viktor asked. Jayce leaned forward and kissed Viktor.
“As long as we've been married, have I ever not kept a promise I've made to you?”
“Alright,” Viktor capitulated. “But don't bathe afterwards. I've always liked when you smell like a forge.”
“My husband, the pervert,” Jayce said before leaning forward for another kiss. Afterwards, he asked if Viktor would handle dinner to which Viktor agreed. Jayce kissed him again and then turned to leave. He opened the door to Viktor's study and the cat rushed in to jump into Viktor's lap. Jayce smiled and then left.
Viktor petted the cat, smiling when it started to purr. It was an orange thing with bright green eyes. Her right front leg was missing though Viktor wasn't sure what happened to it. She had hissed at Viktor when he saw her under the porch though he'd taken an immediate liking to her. He'd named her Junior since she had a bad leg like both her dads.
“He'd never admit it,” Viktor told the cat conspiratorially as she rolled onto her back for more pets, “but Jayce does the same thing.”
-
It was almost dark by the time Jayce came back into the house, using his shirt to wipe the sweat off of his face. Viktor was seated at the table, the freshly cooked food already laid out. Jayce smiled.
“Smells delicious,” he said as he got closer.
“I made those dumplings you like.” It was a recipe given to Viktor by one of the ladies in town with the promise that he and Jayce would love them. It was true.
“Thank you,” Jayce said. As he approached the table, he leaned over to give Viktor a kiss. Though he stopped short once he realized that Viktor was wearing one of his shirts, a linen thing that completely swallowed Viktor up.
And nothing else.
“Viktor, why aren't you wearing pants?”
“A man can't forgo pants in his own house?” Viktor asked nonchalantly. Jayce just smiled and proceeded to kiss Viktor.
“He can. I just suspect you're doing it for a reason,” Jayce said. He walked over to his chair and took a seat. He started putting food on his plate.
“My husband has been working all day. I made him a good dinner so he can rest and regain his strength.”
“The pants, Viktor?”
“An incentive to eat fast,” he said with a sip of his drink. Jayce just smiled at him, still as enamored with Viktor's antics as he'd ever been.
“Sorry that took me so long,” Jayce said as he ate. “The old man is having me replace the axles on his carts. It's just a lot of time with the metal.”
“You don't have to apologize,” Viktor said. He twisted the wedding ring on his left hand, made by Jayce and matching the one on Jayce's hand, in the shape of a cog. “I used the time to finish my battery designs.”
“You're going to put yourself out of business,” Jayce said. Though they both knew Viktor didn't care about the money. Most of the help they did was in exchange for goods and services anyway. The farmer's wife gave them a portion of her chicken's eggs. The apothecary gave Viktor a salve that soothed his leg on days it hurt.
The giving nature of their small village, the place they both thought of as home now, was so different from the taking nature of Piltover that they were both used to. It was worth it for the freedom it gave Viktor and Jayce to live their lives how they wanted, together.
Jayce was halfway through a second plate by the time Viktor finished his first so Viktor just rambled about whatever he thought of while Jayce finished eating. Viktor broke off a piece of the dumpling filling and put it on the floor for Junior.
Jayce finished eating and began stacking the empty plates. Viktor watched as Jayce carried the stack to the sink where he deposited them to be washed later. Then he came back to the table, helped Viktor stand up, and then picked him up bridal-style to carry into the bedroom.
“You're really not wearing anything,” Jayce commented, one of his hands sliding up Viktor's thigh to confirm.
“Nope,” Viktor said with a smile.
“You're too much for me.” Viktor lovingly laid his hand along Jayce's cheek.
“You and I both know that's not true.”
“Okay, bedroom now.” Viktor let Jayce carry him with minimal fuss. The truth was that he didn't mind. He liked being bundled in Jayce's arms especially on a bad leg day, so long as Jayce's own leg was feeling okay.
Jayce set him down on the bed so he could strip out of his clothes. Viktor started to remove the shirt he was wearing, Jayce's shirt, when Jayce told him not to.
“Keep it on,” Jayce said, crawling onto the bed and immediately kissing Viktor. Viktor smiled into the kiss.
“You like it?” Viktor said once he pulled back, gesturing down at the shirt. “It's my husband's.”
“Oh you're married?” Jayce asked.
“Happily.”
“What a nice man, your husband, letting you flirt with other men. My husband would kill me.”
“You're absolutely right,” Viktor said, breaking the impromptu roleplay.
“Lucky for him,” Jayce pushed on, “I'm so in love with him that I wouldn't even consider looking at anyone else.”
“I love you too,” Viktor said, pulling Jayce back for another kiss. Jayce's hand cupped Viktor's cheek, his thumb gentle as it caressed Viktor's skin. Jayce pulled back but kept his lips centimeters from Viktor's.
“How's your leg?” Jayce asked him.
“I shouldn't have walked into town yesterday,” Viktor admitted. “Long distances were easier with my crutch. Sometimes I forget.”
“I'll make you one if you think it will help,” Jayce said. Viktor just nodded, smiling.
Jayce encouraged Viktor to lay on his right side, following behind him so he could wrap his arms around Viktor's waist. Viktor turned his head so he could kiss Jayce over his shoulder, gasping when Jayce pushed his hand up Viktor's shirt.
Jayce grabbed at one of Viktor's nipples, pinching it between his fingers. The act made Viktor arch his back and Jayce smiled. Viktor only had to say Jayce's name once for Jayce to know what Viktor wanted. He moved his other hand from Viktor's hip to grab at Viktor's cock.
As Jayce stroked him, he moved to kiss Viktor's neck and shoulder. Viktor reached back to tangle his fingers in Jayce's hair, grinding his hips into Jayce's hand, desperate for more friction.
“Viktor,” Jayce practically purred in Viktor's ear.
“Jayce,” Viktor gasped back.
Jayce stopped stroking him, raising his fingers to Viktor's mouth. Viktor opened his mouth, sucking in Jayce's fingers to get them slick, never looking away from Jayce's eyes as he did. Jayce pulled his fingers out before pushing them back into Viktor's mouth, growling when Viktor slipped his tongue between the digits.
“Hold your leg up for me, love,” Jayce told Viktor. Viktor did, pulling his leg to his chest with a hand under his knee. Jayce pulled his fingers from Viktor's mouth and Viktor moaned when he felt them between his thighs. Jayce didn't hesitate to push a finger into Viktor, leaning forward to kiss Viktor as he moaned.
Viktor gasped each time Jayce thrust his fingers and Jayce drank his sounds down. Viktor could feel Jayce's erection against his back and Viktor felt like he was losing his mind.
And Viktor knew it would get better, once Jayce stopped subjecting him to the foreplay, pinned him against the mattress and fucked him like he knew Viktor liked it. Viktor all but told Jayce that, which made Jayce smile.
Jayce pulled his fingers out and maneuvered so he was leaning over Viktor. He put his arm under Viktor's knee and took over holding his leg, his other hand leading his cock to Viktor's entrance. As Jayce pushed himself in, he braced himself against the mattress
“Jayce!” Viktor cried out. Now that his hands were free, Viktor half turned so he could wrap his arms around Jayce. Jayce pulled his hips back before he thrusted again, grunting in delight when Viktor moaned.
As Jayce set up a rhythm, Viktor put his nose in Jayce's neck and breathed in. The exact musky tone he was looking for, a smell that he'd come to think of as Jayce's smell. Fire and sweat with the sweet undertones of his soap. Viktor wanted to eat him, to consume and be consumed.
“Is that what you wanted?” Jayce asked, smiling at the feeling of Viktor's breath on his neck. Viktor just nodded.
“I like it when my husband smells like a forge,” Viktor repeated, proving himself right.
“Gods, Viktor. The thought of you and I married still gets you so turned on.”
“Everything about you turns me on,” Viktor whispered. “The way you smell, your intelligence, that fucking beard. The way my face fits in your palm. How you sound when you fuck me. How it feels when you fuck me.”
As if to prove Viktor right, Jayce's next thrust was perfect, in both pressure and precision. The jolt of pleasure was so intense that Viktor's eyelids slammed closed and his toes curled.
“Like that,” Viktor said. Jayce kissed his neck. Then the underside of his chin and the shell of his ear. Contorted around each other like they were, they looked like two puzzle pieces slotted together, a crowded jumble of equations on a chalkboard.
But that was them, a mash of the chaos and predictability of nature, ever repeating across however infinite multitudes existed. Viktor was Jayce's savior in the same way that Jayce was Viktor's, ever repeating. Viktor gave Jayce the rune and sent him back from the anomaly. Jayce pulled Viktor's humanity from the abyss of the hexcore.
Every day they proved the repetition of that, why it always had to be them, the power of their bond. Viktor hypothesized that it was the arcane's control over fate. Jayce countered that maybe they were meant to be together, and that the arcane was forced to bend to that inevitability.
Regardless, it was in times like these, that Viktor's mind struggled to focus on the romance of it all. As Jayce bent him in half to fuck him deep, like they both knew Viktor liked it, Viktor felt his chest open like a new universe, ever expanding with more and more love. Jayce had survived the anomaly, fought against its horrors so that he could come back for Viktor.
And Viktor knew that if you asked Jayce, he'd have his own sappy sentiments about how much Viktor meant to him. Comments about how they were two cosmic bodies stuck in each other's orbit, destined to gravitate towards and around each other in perpetuity.
“Jayce!”
“Hold out a little longer for me, Viktor.” Viktor's nails were latched onto Jayce's skin, to leave angry red half circles when this was over. Jayce never minded, the same way Viktor never minded that Jayce's lips always left a mural of love bites on his pale skin. Neither of them were bothered by the ownership, not now.
Jayce brought his left hand up so he could cup Viktor's check. In response, Viktor grabbed Jayce's wrist with his left hand so that both of their wedding rings caught the same light. Jayce smiled and put his forehead to Viktor's.
“You should see how you look, Viktor. You're so beautiful. I'm in awe.”
“I look disheveled,” Viktor corrected. “You just have rose tinted glasses.”
“No, Viktor. You're gorgeous. You always have been.” Viktor smiled and so Jayce continued. “You used to watch me in the lab? Well, I used to watch you too. So many of those days, I remember thinking that whoever you ended up with was so fucking lucky. I just thought it was because I thought so highly of you. I do think highly of you, but you know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean,” Viktor said with a nod. “But I appreciate your rambling. It makes me feel loved.”
“You are, Viktor. I love you so so so much.” Jayce didn't wait for him to respond, just slammed his lips into Viktor's. Viktor fisted a hand in Jayce's hair so he could kiss him deeply. He was starting to ache from being in this position so long but Viktor didn't intend to complain, not when Jayce was groaning in pleasure every time he pressed into Viktor.
Viktor dropped a hand to his cock so he could stroke himself. His movements were sloppily, his grip loose, but Viktor was desperate to get off with Jayce still inside him, his tongue still in Viktor's mouth.
The moment it happened, Viktor broke from the kiss so he could gasp out. Jayce stayed in close, moving to kiss Viktor's cheek and neck. Viktor's mind was completely blank, completely preoccupied with the pleasure at hand. The only thing he was aware of was Jayce's name repetitively slipping past his lips with every moan.
Jayce fucked him through it until he came too, around the time Viktor collapsed against his pillow in a post-orgasmic glow. Jayce thrusted through his orgasm, the movement of his hips fast and erratic, until finally he collapsed against Viktor, spent.
Jayce pulled out and maneuvered so Viktor could fully roll onto his back. Then Jayce laid his head back on Viktor's chest and Viktor laid his hand on Jayce's head, his fingers running through his hair. They were both quiet, just basking in the happy and satisfying moment.
“Is it our anniversary and I forgot?” Viktor asked, his eyes still closed.
“Our anniversary is on your birthday, remember?”
“Right,” Viktor said, cracking open an eye to look at Jayce. “I'm just trying to figure out what I did to deserve such a great fucking.”
“I was tired from work and you decided to tease me.” As if to prove his point, Jayce pushed aside the fabric at Viktor’s collar and placed several sleepy, soft kisses. Viktor smiled.
“I thought the shirt had a high statistical probability of working as I wanted it too.”
“Because I'm predictable when it comes to you,” Jayce said with a laugh. “You making it clear that you want me to fuck you, makes me want to fuck you.”
“When I'm complaining about my back hurting tomorrow, remind me that I really like it when you twist me into a knot.” Jayce smiled and Viktor pulled him in for a kiss.
“It's too late to go to the well for a bath,” Jayce said when he pulled back. Viktor urged Jayce to roll onto his side so Viktor could slip his arms around Jayce's chest. Viktor molded his legs to Jayce's and pressed his face to Jayce's back. Jayce laid his hands over Viktor's.
“That's okay. That means I get to keep smelling you.” Jayce huffed out another laugh, this one tinged with sleepiness.
“Whatever I can do to please you, Viktor.”
“You're already doing it.”
“Good.”
-
Viktor was woken up by a loud knock on their front door. That in and of itself was pretty strange since they didn't usually get guests, but it could always be the farmer Jayce worked for or one of the folks in town needing something. Viktor groaned but slowly opened his eyes.
Jayce was curled around him, almost completely laying on top of Viktor. Viktor tried to shake him off but Jayce just snuggled closer, his arms tightening around Viktor's waist.
“Jayce,” Viktor said. “Someone's at the door.”
“Leave it,” Jayce whispered. He turned his face into Viktor's neck and gave his skin a chaste kiss.
“It could be someone who needs help or those parts I had ordered from the general store. No one ever knocks.”
“Okay,” Jayce said with a groan. He kissed Viktor's lips, went to get out of bed, and then doubled back to kiss him again. Viktor smiled as Jayce got dressed, Jayce calling out for the person at the door to wait. He turned and winked at Viktor, told him not to leave the bed as Jayce would be back soon, and then left. Viktor got comfortable again.
Viktor was shocked at the way the atmosphere changed the second he heard the door open. Viktor sat up in bed at the way his skin prickled, his body reacting to the intense feeling of Jayce's anxiety emanating from the front room. Viktor got out of bed but forced himself to go to the bathroom to clean himself off. He was still wearing Jayce's shirt but he got his pants on.
Viktor opened the bedroom door, Jayce's name on his lips. Jayce turned to look at him and when he did, Viktor got a solid view of the person at the door. It felt like time had reduced as she turned to look at him. Viktor's blood went cold.
“Mel?” Viktor asked. And he watched the flicker of emotions across her face. Shock. Betrayal. Fear.
He watched the way her hand lit up, her magic summoned to wait as an available weapon should Mel need it. Viktor had lived so long with Jayce, in such happy bliss, that he almost forgot there were people he'd terrified. He was they're villain.
“Mel!” Jayce said, his voice getting loud and angry, as he stepped back between them. Viktor couldn't see Jayce's face but he suspected that he looked a little threatening, his anger at her reacting that way evident. Viktor couldn't even find it romantic because his shock that it was happening at all was still too intense.
“The people in town said you were married. They said you lived here with your husband. Nobody said it was Viktor.”
Viktor sucked in a breath at the way Mel said his name. She said it the way you would about someone who had betrayed you, her hurt about what he'd done was clear in her tone.
“If you can't be civil, then I'm going to have to ask you to leave,” Jayce said.
“Jayce, no. She has a right to be concerned. I--Mel, I'm not like that anymore. I'm totally human now. I'm--” He stopped talking, taking a step forward, the loud scrape of his cane across the floor a punctuation on his point.
Everyone was quiet for several seconds. Jayce didn't say anything but Viktor assumed he and Mel must have had a conversation of faces, because Jayce slowly stepped to the side. Viktor didn't doubt that Jayce would have physically stayed between them if he thought anything would be a threat to Viktor.
Mel looked at him, her eyes suspicious as she took in his human form. Viktor tried to just stand still. He didn't want to spook her. He owed her that, to do whatever he could to put her at peace. He'd almost ended her life as she knew it. He'd almost ruined her world, contributed to losses that she'd suffered.
Jayce was watching her, ready should the situation turn tense or violent. Mel's magic was stronger than either of them but Jayce was making it clear that she'd have to go through him first.
“You're back to yourself?” Mel asked.
“I am. I believe Jayce's interference caused the hexcore to separate from me before it ceased to exist. It returned me to my human body but without my disease.”
“He's telling the truth,” Jayce said. Mel looked between them. She was always intelligent and great at reading people. Viktor could see the way she was observing them, trying to decide if she believed them.
“People died that day,” Mel said. Viktor hung his head in shame.
“Your mother was just as much responsible,” Jayce told her, his voice softer and kinder.
“My mother is also dead.”
“I'm sorry,” Viktor said. “I did something horrible. My mind was influenced by the arcane. I'm still responsible for what I did, but I need you to know that I'm free of that now.”
“Viktor,” Jayce whispered. Viktor kept his eyes downcast but he could feel Mel’s gaze burning into him. Viktor deserved it. He'd accept whatever hatred she might decide to throw at him. That was the only way he could atone.
Mel's hands stopped glowing as she stopped using her magic. Viktor looked up at her, shocked to see her standing more relaxed. She didn't say anything until she'd walked to the single chair in their room. She took a seat and looked at them.
“Tell me what happened,” Mel said. Viktor let out his breath and walked over to sit on the sofa. Jayce looked between them before he sat beside Viktor, his hand naturally taking Viktor's. Mel looked at their joined hands but didn't say anything.
Then they started at the beginning, with Viktor's solo experiments on the hexcore as he got sicker. Jayce bringing him to the hexcore when he was injured and how Viktor had been changed, the hexcore fusing to him. Mel knew some of it but she just listened anyway.
Jayce described his time in the anomaly, but this time he told her about that universe's versions of him and Viktor. Her eyes widened when Jayce described whatever he and Viktor had experienced, without mentioning their love confession or subsequent love story. By the time they were done, Mel thought on that, adding it to her own experiences the past few years.
“And you're together?” She asked them. Jayce raised his left hand to show her the ring.
“For the last three years,” Jayce said.
“I've been in love with Jayce for a long time. But knowing that he loved me back was the thing to break through to me in my darkest hour.”
Mel was quiet for a second, looking between them. Viktor briefly wondered if she'd come here with romantic intentions, maybe still in love with Jayce. But the small smile she flashed them eliminated that possibility.
“I used to think the way he talked and treated you was more than friends,” Mel said.
“I've heard he talked about me a lot,” Viktor said, a teasing smile directed at Jayce. Jayce smiled back at him, both thinking about Jayce’s confession that he'd talked about Viktor during sex with Mel once.
“The Viktor from that other universe showed us that in every universe where we exist, we're meant to be,” Jayce said. “He showed Viktor that it would be a disaster to follow through with his plan. He made sure I came back from the anomaly so that I could get through to Viktor. It's impossible to fight against that.”
Viktor squeezed Jayce's hand and they looked at each other. For the last three years, it had just been the two of them, no one who knew them before. They'd cultivated a romance that was based on pure love and trust and respect. Viktor was happy to know that Jayce had him, no matter who showed up at the door.
“Would you like some tea?” Viktor asked her. Mel nodded. “Jayce, will you get the tea?” Jayce met Viktor's eyes and Viktor nodded, reassuring Jayce that he wanted Jayce to give him a few minutes alone with Mel. Jayce leaned forward and kissed Viktor’s forehead. Then he stood and went to the kitchen. Jayce could still see them but it was some privacy.
“I really am sorry, Mel,” Viktor said. “I acknowledge that I did something unforgivable. I'm sure people would agree that I don't deserve any happiness after what I've done. But I'm not a danger to anyone and I live every day with the pain I've caused. I just want to be with him now.”
“I can't say I forgive you,” she said after a second. “You almost took my free will from me. You were dismissive of thousands of lives. I don't think you're that person anymore, but I don't think I can ever forgive that.”
Viktor nodded, his eyes filling with tears. It hurt, of course it did. Viktor had a human heart in his chest. But he didn't think he was owed any forgiveness from anyone.
“But I cared about Jayce,” she said. “I don't think we were ever in love but I was fond of him, and I don't think he should be forced to suffer for what you did. He deserves to be happy with the person he loves. I respect that.”
“Thank you,” Viktor said. “We chose not to come back to Piltover because we just wanted to be together in peace.”
Jayce coughed from the edge of the sofa and Viktor turned to smile at him, wiping the tears from his eyes. Jayce put the teapot and cups on the table. Filling one, first for Viktor like he liked it, and then for Mel. Then he sat back beside Viktor.
“So, Mel, what are you doing here?” Jayce asked. She took a sip of her tea.
“After--what happened,” Mel started, “we thought you might be stranded somewhere or in need of help. We sent scouts all over to look for you. About four months ago, we got reports that someone with your description was here. The council thought that I should come verify it, given our past relationship. Though Caitlin did fight to come with.”
“How is she?” Jayce asked, with a smile on his face. Viktor looked at him sadly. Viktor didn't have anyone but Jayce now, but Jayce had left people behind to be with Viktor. Viktor hated that he kept Jayce away from them.
“She's good. She and Vi adopted a daughter last year. It's been interesting to watch.” Jayce smiled but it was sad. Viktor watched his face steadily get more serious.
“How's my mother?” Jayce asked.
“She was pretty distraught. I've been keeping her up to date on the search but I think she's tried not to get her hopes up.” Jayce nodded. He turned to look at Viktor.
“Could I talk to you in the bedroom?” Jayce asked Viktor. Viktor just nodded. Jayce turned back to Mel. “Sorry Mel, we'll only be gone for a few minutes. Please wait here.”
Jayce stood up and put out his hand to help Viktor up. Viktor took it and then followed Jayce into the bedroom. Jayce shut the door behind them but didn't speak right away.
“What's up, my love?” Viktor asked.
“You have every right to say no,” Jayce said, looking a little scared as he faced Viktor, “but would you mind if Mel told my mom about us? I want her to know that I'm not dead and that I'm happy.” Viktor's heart melted.
“Of course, Jayce,” Viktor said, stepping closer so he could take Jayce's face between his hands. “I want you to do that. I'm so happy that you're going to get the chance to do so. In fact, you should write her a letter. Ask Mel to deliver it.”
“That's a good idea.”
“Oh Jayce, you could go home to see her if you wanted. I wouldn't mind at all.”
“Viktor, I truly don't want to leave you for even a second. This is home for me.”
“You should ask Mel to tell her where we are. Maybe she could visit. Or you can ask her to come live here. She can have my studio. Wouldn't that be nice?”
“I love you,” Jayce said.
“And I love you, my big mother's boy.” Jayce pulled Viktor in for a kiss. Viktor smiled against his lips. Jayce wrapped his arms around Viktor and hugged him tight.
They broke apart and Jayce opened the bedroom door. He went back to the living room to find Mel scratching Junior's head, the cat coming out to greet this unknown stranger.
“Cute,” Mel said.
“Viktor found her under the porch,” Jayce said as he sat back down. Mel looked over at where Viktor was still standing by the bedroom door frame.
“Her name is Junior,” Viktor said.
“Because of the leg?” Mel asked, her slender eyebrow raising. She smiled. “I guess you guys adopted a daughter too.”
Viktor went still as the thought flashed through his mind. He and Jayce having a family. Jayce chasing around a child. Viktor with a kid in his lap. Jayce falling asleep with a kid in his arms. Them all around a table, sharing a meal.
Jayce turned and looked at Viktor, a warm smile on his face. Viktor suspected Jayce was picturing it too. Viktor smiled back at him with a thought to bring the topic up to Jayce later.
“Mel?” Jayce said, turning back to her. She looked at him and nodded. “We would appreciate it if you didn't tell the Council where we are. I can't trust that people won't come for Viktor.”
“Okay,” Mel said with a nod.
“I'd also like to ask for you to deliver a letter to my mother. You can tell her that we’re here. Or if you give me the directions, I'll tell her in the letter.” Mel glanced at Viktor and he nodded.
“I can do that,” she told Jayce. Jayce smiled in appreciation.
“Thank you,” Jayce said. “Would you like to see the house?” Mel smiled at him.
“Sure, Jayce.”
Jayce turned to look at Viktor, maybe to ask a question. But Viktor saw Jayce's gaze wander to their half opened bedroom door. Viktor turned and saw that the sheets on their bed were quite disheveled.
“Let me clean up first,” Jayce said. He jumped up and passed Viktor to go into their bedroom. He closed the door and Viktor fought not to chuckle. He turned around to find Mel watching him.
“He's very lovable,” Mel said.
“He is,” Viktor said with a nod. Mel was giving him a knowing smile and Viktor waited for her to say whatever she wanted to say.
“He's pretty good in bed too,” she finally said. Viktor searched her face before he burst out laughing. Mel's smile widened. Viktor didn't ever consider them bonding over both sleeping with Jayce.
“I've done plenty of rigorous experiments on the topic and I conclude that he's better than pretty good,” Viktor said with a completely straight face. She raised an eyebrow.
“I imagine you have.”
“Truthfully, I just can't keep my hands off of him.”
“Something tells me that he'd say the same,” Mel said. Viktor finally smiled. The truth was that there was no reason for there to be any jealousy between them. Jayce was Viktor's now and he'd left no confusion about that. He and Mel were over before he ever got with Viktor romantically.
Just then the door opened and Jayce appeared, looking between Mel and Viktor. Viktor smirked at him given the current topic of conversation. Jayce looked confused.
“What?” Jayce asked Viktor.
“We were just talking about you,” Viktor told him.
“Just swapping stories,” Mel said. Jayce looked a little nervous.
“About what?”
“Didn't you want to show Mel the house?” Viktor asked. Jayce just nodded and directed Mel to follow him. It's not like their house was very big but Jayce had done a lot of the repairs and additions. He was proud to show them off to an old friend.
Viktor stayed slightly behind as Jayce led Mel through their humble home, sharing stories about his and Viktor's life together. He told Mel about the time a wooden beam almost fell on him when he was building Viktor's study. He told her about Viktor proposing in the kitchen, thankfully leaving out that he'd done so naked. Jayce told all the stories with a smile, fond of any memory of his life with Viktor.
Mel was a respectful guest, asking questions when she thought it was necessary and complimenting Jayce on all the good work he'd done. Viktor just smiled where he stood behind them, happy that Mel cared enough about Jayce to indulge him.
After the tour, Jayce and Mel stood around to talk outside, Mel’s long gown blowing in the wind. Viktor wasn't paying attention, but he did smile when Jayce reached out to take his hand.
“Are you planning to stay at all?” Jayce asked her. “We can make dinner for you. Viktor makes these incredible dumplings.”
“It's a recipe from one of the locals,” Viktor amended, not wanting to take responsibility for the recipe that makes them so good.
“That's a very kind offer. But I actually think it's time for me to go. I just came here to verify you were alive and not in need of help. I've done that,” Mel said.
“Okay,” Jayce said. He sounded a little sad and Viktor didn't fault him for that. Jayce was having to say another goodbye to Piltover, a last connection to his friend and a life he'd had before. Viktor didn't fault him for mourning that. “Will you wait long enough for me to write my mother's letter?”
“Yes,” Mel said with a nod. Jayce nodded and then returned to the house to do that. Viktor and Mel remained outside, not talking for several long minutes. Then finally Mel turned fully to look at Viktor.
“What?” He asked.
“Promise me that you'll take care of him,” Mel said. “You do whatever you have to to make him happy. His happiness comes first, over yours, every time. You promise me that.”
“I promise,” Viktor said, his tone solemn, so Mel would know how serious he was being. Viktor didn't mind making that promise. He'd decided long ago that he was already going to put Jayce first. After everything Jayce had done for him, all Viktor wanted was to make him happy.
Mel, satisfied, turned around and went back into the house. Despite what she'd said previously, this felt like the closest to absolution that Viktor could ever hope for. He still owned what he did, still felt guilty for it, but it felt like Mel had given him permission to be happy.
Viktor would take it.
By the time he came back to the house, Jayce and Mel were saying their goodbyes, his letter in her hand. They hugged briefly and Jayce wished her well traveling back to Piltover. Viktor gave her a nod of his head, which she returned. Then Viktor and Jayce stood in the doorway as Mel set off back to town, presumably where her arrangements were.
“Can't believe that happened,” Jayce said as they watched her go. Viktor leaned into Jayce, his head going to Jayce's shoulder. Jayce turned to look at him.
“Definitely wasn't what I expected when we woke up this morning,” Viktor said.
“Are you okay?” Jayce asked. Viktor turned to smile at Jayce.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being protective of me,” Viktor said. “But also for not being overbearing. I had things I needed to say and you gave me the space to do that without abandoning me.”
“Do you feel better?”
“I do.”
“I'm happy to hear that,” Jayce told him. Mel had disappeared so they went inside and shut the door. Jayce moved towards the living room but Viktor caught his arm.
“Did you put new sheets on the bed?” Viktor asked. Jayce smiled.
“Yes.”
“Would you like to go mess them up?”
“I would.”
“Good,” Viktor said, leaning forward to kiss Jayce. Jayce wrapped his arms around Viktor's waist and leaned into the kiss, smiling when Viktor slipped a hand under Jayce's shirt to feel his abdomen.
Jayce had Viktor's shirt off before they even went to the bedroom, Jayce's pants off at the bedroom door. Viktor slipped Jayce's shirt off before pushing him down onto the bed. Jayce's hands were still on Viktor's waist, holding tightly and Jayce leaned forward to kiss Viktor right above his pants.
“Hey Viktor?” Jayce was looking up at him, his beautiful honey eyes looking into Viktor's.
“Yes, my Jayce?” Viktor responded, his hand brushing Jayce's hair off his forehead.
“Do you wanna top?” Jayce asked.
“If that's what you want.”
“It's just been a while.”
That was true. They swapped occasionally, had done it a few times over the last few years ever since Viktor first expressed interest in it. It wasn't their default and they were both okay with that. Being on the receiving end more frequently was easier on Viktor's body and Jayce didn't complain because he enjoyed it, losing himself inside of Viktor.
But today felt like a weird and special day so Viktor thought Jayce asking made sense.
“Yeah, love. I can top.”
“I don't know. Seeing Mel just made me want to--” Jayce trailed off, looking a little embarrassed. He put his forehead to Viktor's stomach so he didn't have to look into Viktor's eyes. “I guess seeing her made me feel bad that I'd ever been with her.”
“You don't have to feel bad, Jayce. You were attracted to her and she to you. We weren't together.”
“Not just for you,” Jayce amended. “My being with her did hurt you. But I hurt Mel too. And she hurt me. Seeing her today reminded me that she and I didn't end all that amicably. I was still happy to see her and I'm glad she's okay, but it just felt like a lot of emotions.”
“It's okay, Jayce.”
“So I just kinda want to do this in a way I only can with you. You're the only person I've ever done it this way with.”
“I'm very honored,” Viktor said. He was quiet for a while, waiting to see if Jayce would say more. But Jayce didn't say anything else, evidently saying all he'd needed to, so Viktor just nodded.
“Get on your back,” Viktor said. Jayce's head snapped back to look up at him, a twinkle of excitement in Jayce's eye. Viktor smiled and told him again. “Get on your back and hold your legs up.”
Jayce did as he was told, sliding up the mattress so he could rest his head on the pillows, his knees bent, open and waiting for Viktor. Viktor stripped down to the nude and went to get the lube. They admittedly didn't always use it with Viktor but there usually didn't go a day where Viktor didn't welcome Jayce's body into his own. That would not be the case with Jayce.
Viktor crawled onto the bed and got between Jayce's legs. Looking down at him from this angle, Viktor was struck by the way Jayce took up such a large portion of their bed. He was more muscular now than he'd ever been in Piltover, considering his work was exclusively in farming and then in forge work. Viktor was only ever a sliver of Jayce's size but seeing Jayce laid out like this for him really sold the point.
“You're so large,” Viktor said. Jayce laughed.
“You like to remind me.” Viktor looked at Jayce's face and then down at his torso. Then Viktor leaned forward to kiss Jayce's stomach, at the edge of the line of body hair going south. Jayce breathed in a moan as Viktor kissed higher and higher until he could take one of Jayce's nipples into his mouth.
Viktor pressed his tongue over the bud, soft and then fast flicks, until Jayce was panting from it. One of Viktor's hands was running over Jayce's thigh and the other through Jayce's chest hair.
“Viktor--fuck, Viktor--”
Viktor stopped what he was doing, replacing his mouth with his hand, fingers pinching Jayce's nipple. Viktor sat back enough that he could locate where he'd left the lube on the mattress. In an impressive move, Viktor uncapped the bottle and squeezed the liquid onto his fingers all one handed.
“That's so fucking hot,” Jayce whispered. Viktor smiled at him.
“All those days working on hextech have given me deft fingers,” Viktor said, if a little proudly.
“Yeah, I want you to put those inside of me,” Jayce admitted.
“Happily.”
Viktor finally stopped pinching Jayce's nipples so he could spread Jayce with one hand while the other pushed a lubed up finger into him. Jayce gasped with the sudden intrusion and Viktor watched as Jayce forced himself to take deep, long breaths.
“I do like your muscles,” Viktor said. As he spoke, Viktor worked his finger in and out of Jayce, speeding up and slowing down in response to the noises Jayce made. “I also like all your body hair. I love the color of your skin. I love the way your face looks when you smile, when you're concentrating.”
“Viktor!” Jayce exclaimed when Viktor added a second finger. And if he got the right angle, then he'd reach--
The corresponding cry of pleasure from Jayce's throat made Viktor smile. Viktor so rarely got to see Jayce like this, head tossed back into the pillow and panting, that he wanted to savor it. He pressed harder this time, his fingers pushing against Jayce's prostate.
“Viktor!”
“Who am I kidding,” Viktor said, adding a third finger, “I've been in love with your face since the first time I saw it. Looking so defeated in your apartment that day, you were the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen.”
“I thought you were an angel,” Jayce whispered. It was a sweet sentiment, Viktor knew. He'd never call himself an angel after everything he'd done, but Jayce had always seen the best of him. Before Jayce would ever see him as the almost machine herald, Jayce would see Viktor as the man who'd kept him from making a fatal mistake that day.
“I was smitten with you immediately,” Viktor said. He gave a final press with his fingers before he pulled them out, Jayce's moan clipped short. Both of them were so hard, aching for each other.
“Viktor.” Viktor looked up at Jayce's face, his heart melting at the soft expression. Viktor felt like he couldn't breath with the way his lungs constricted. He was almost worried he was going to cry.
“Jayce.” Jayce sat up and pulled Viktor in for a kiss. Viktor melted into it, offering zero resistance as Jayce’s hands held him tighter as the kiss deepened. Jayce only pulled back so he could touch his forehead to Viktor's, the gesture that had become their thing.
“Sorry,” Jayce whispered.
“For what?”
“You being vulnerable about your feelings turns me on.” Viktor chuckled.
“Some people view vulnerability as a weakness. I did, for a long time. I fought off all of my other emotions until the only thing left was my desperation to live. Maybe that's why I was such an easy target for the hexcore.”
“There's nothing weak about you, Viktor.” Viktor knew he could argue that point. Not even talking about his disease, but how his obsession with the hexcore's power had been a weakness. Afraid of giving into how he felt about Jayce in light of his shortened lifespan and Jayce's thriving one. That too had been a weakness.
But Viktor had already spent enough of today focused on the past. As had Jayce for that matter. So instead of arguing about whether Viktor was weak, he'd bring them back to the task at hand.
Viktor reached up and wrapped the fingers of his clean hand around Jayce's throat, the touch light. He wasn't squeezing but he saw and felt the way Jayce stiffened. Viktor looked up and met Jayce's eyes, the memory of the last time Viktor had Jayce by the throat replaying through both of their minds.
“See?” Jayce said. “Nothing weak about you if you can choke me.”
“Twice,” Viktor said.
“Twice?” Jayce asked incredulously. “You don't get to count that time in the council chamber.”
“Why not?” Viktor asked. He took his hand off of Jayce's neck so he could instead push Jayce back to the mattress.
“Because it wasn't you. You don't get to count the time you were controlling someone else's body.”
“Do I need to explain the intricacies of a hivemind to you, Jayce?” Viktor grabbed the lube from the mattress and covered his cock with it.
“No,” Jayce said. “Even though I'd probably find it sexy if you did.” Viktor smiled. He tapped Jayce's thigh and Jayce pulled it up so Viktor could comfortably settle between Jayce's thighs.
The slow push into Jayce had Viktor's eyes slamming closed in pleasure. Too warm. Too tight. God, how did Jayce ever do this and not lose himself immediately? Especially with how often he and Viktor made love.
“Breathe, Viktor.”
“I'm supposed to say that to you.”
“Sure but you're not breathing.”
Viktor opened his eyes and looked down at Jayce. Viktor could see the hint of a blush under Jayce's beard and Viktor put his hands on Jayce's hips. He met Jayce's eyes and Jayce gave him a soft nod.
Viktor pulled out and then pushed back in, both he and Jayce moaning with the action. Viktor put his hands on the mattress on either side of Jayce for balance. Once Viktor set up a rhythm, faster than he'd have liked, Jayce wrapped his legs around Viktor's back.
Viktor kept his eyes trained on Jayce's face, trying to slow down or speed up depending on what Jayce's face and body were telling him. When Jayce tossed his head back, Viktor would aim for the same spot and depth, but harder. When Jayce hissed and his thighs would squeeze, Viktor would try to slow down, trying to drag the pleasure out.
“Viktor,” Jayce purred his name and Viktor felt a shiver go down his spine. Viktor moved his hands off the mattress so he could hook them under Jayce's shoulders, their chests pressed together.
Not having to use his hands to support them meant that Viktor could be a bit more aggressive with his hips, using Jayce as a counter weight. That meant that the next time Viktor slammed his cock into Jayce's prostate, Jayce let out an extra pretty scream of pleasure.
Viktor leaned his head forward and kissed a line up Jayce's neck. Jayce turned his head so Viktor could kiss him and Viktor did, deeply and with every ounce of love he had for Jayce. Even once they stopped kissing so they could both moan, Viktor kept his face close enough to Jayce's that their noses could touch.
“Next time,” Viktor told him, “I think I'd like you on your knees.” Jayce nodded.
“That sounds good,” Jayce agreed. Jayce raised a hand to Viktor's face and then into his hair. Viktor turned his head and lightly bit the inside of Jayce's arm.
“I'm gonna leave so many marks on you,” Viktor told him. As if to prove his point, he leaned down to suck a dark bruise onto Jayce's collarbone. “People are gonna know you belong to me.”
“Yeah? I like that. Mark me up, Viktor.”
Viktor reached down to grab Jayce's cock, its weight heavy in his hands. As Viktor stroked him, the snap of his hips became erratic as Viktor tried to force his own orgasm. He came first, with a cry of Jayce's name, Jayce bringing Viktor's mouth to his to kiss him. By the time Viktor's hips stuttered to a stop, Jayce was coming into his hand, his body vibrating with the orgasm.
They were still kissing by the time they were both done, content to exist in a post-orgasm haze where they just relished being connected and together. At some point, Viktor pulled out and Jayce rolled him onto his back, following after so he could continue kissing Viktor.
“Would you wanna have a kid?” Jayce asked him once they finally stopped kissing.
“I don't think the hexcore changed that part of my biology but I certainly don't mind trying,” Viktor said with a smile. Jayce smiled too.
“I'm serious. We could adopt.” Viktor took Jayce's face between his hands.
“You'd make a great father,” Viktor told him. “Kind and caring and attentive. Any kid would do well with a father like you.”
“You too.”
“I'm less convinced of that,” Viktor said.
“Then be convinced of me,” Jayce told him. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” Viktor said without a second's hesitation.
“Do you trust my judgement?”
“Not when it comes to me,” Viktor said, guessing where Jayce was going with this. Jayce ran his hands up Viktor's sides lovingly.
“I trust you,” Jayce continued. “With my life. With my heart. With my future. I put every Jayce's future in your hands.”
“I don't know that you should.”
“Trust in me, Viktor, when I tell you that you would make an excellent dad.”
“I didn't really know my parents,” Viktor said. “I don't know how to be a parent.”
“You just have to be patient and care and show your love. Those are all things I know you can do.”
“I'd like to watch you be a parent,” Viktor said.
“Only if it's with you,” Jayce told him.
“In how many universes do you think we've had this conversation?”
“The only universe I care about is this one.” Viktor smiled, lowering his hands to run them across Jayce’s chest.
“Well, if you want a kid, then I think we should get to work on that.”
“Oh should we?” Jayce said with a raised eyebrow. Viktor just nodded before he pulled Jayce down into a kiss.
-
Viktor woke up in the early morning to find the bed empty. He sat up and stretched, his arms and legs giving loud pops, and Viktor breathed a sigh. He grabbed his cane and started to get dressed.
He went into the living room but didn't see Jayce. Junior was curled up on the sofa and Viktor picked her up, curling her into his elbow as he went towards the back door.
It was still fairly dark, only the lightest blue before the sun rose to light anything. But Viktor could still make out Jayce, chopping firewood. The cat started to wriggle in Viktor's arms so he put her down.
Jayce turned at the sound and smiled, lodging the axe into the stump he used. He raised the bottom of his shirt to wipe his face. Viktor, never one to waste an opportunity, made a tugging motion on his own shirt. Jayce just shook his head but stripped his shirt off regardless.
“Come here,” Jayce said. Viktor did, going down the back steps towards Jayce. Jayce held his hand out so that Viktor could take it, helping him maneuver through the grass. Jayce wrapped his arms around Viktor so that Viktor's back was to his chest.
“It's cold,” Viktor complained.
“Chop some wood. That'll warm you up.” Jayce took Viktor's hands and put them on the axe's handle. He put his hands just below Viktor's. Then Jayce showed him how to lift the axe and bring it down, the wedge hitting the stump with a thud.
“I've never chopped wood before,” Viktor said.
“You get too good at it and I'll put you to work.” Jayce put a chunk of wood onto the stump and once again guided Viktor to raise and swing the axe down, splitting the wood.
“I'm the housewife, remember?”
“You're the furthest thing from a housewife,” Jayce said. Jayce's bare chest was warm against Viktor's back and he snuggled just a bit closer in Jayce's arms.
“Who knew a sick kid from the Undercity would have so many experiences,” Viktor said. Jayce leaned forward and buried his face in Viktor's neck, placing gentle kisses there.
“Who knew the son of hammer makers would tag along,” Jayce said, his lips sliding over Viktor's skin.
“Probably not the most appropriate place but please continue.”
“Sorry,” Jayce said, leaning back so he could look at Viktor. “I just haven't touched you in a few hours and it's making me crazy.”
“This isn't a dream right?” Viktor asked, watching as the sun finally crept up over the horizon. “Like I haven't been hallucinating the last three years? I really get to have you?”
“If this was anyone's dream, it'd be mine.”
Viktor turned so he could look into Jayce's eyes, his left hand coming up to rest on Jayce's chest. Jayce raised his left hand and held Viktor's, the metal of their rings dark against their skin.
“Or maybe, this gets to be our dream, Viktor.”
“I like that,” Viktor told them.
Jayce wrapped his arms around Viktor and together they stood and watched the sun rise on a new day, the first of many more to come.
Across endless timelines and all possibilities.
There would always be them.