Chapter Text
Chapter 3
Viktor moved through the narrow, bustling streets of Zaun with ease, much to Jayce’s surprise.
Jayce never viewed Viktor as incapable, quite the opposite.
Viktor was among the smartest people he knew, with quick wit and dry charm he loved to fight Jayce on whether he possessed. But whenever they walked through the streets of Piltover, he found that Viktor curled his shoulders inward, taking shorter strides, leaning more on his cane with each step.
This was a side of Viktor he had never seen. His gait was strong and sure, shoulders rolled back, eyes scanning above the many. He was…confident among the workers and sellswords.
While Jayce stood nearly half a head taller than Viktor, he became acutely aware of himself shrinking, movement becoming stilted and unnatural. Passerbys stared at him with an uncertainty he was unaccustomed to.
“Pay them no mind. As long as you look straight ahead, you’re fine. These people, they’re harmless.” The flippant lilt of Viktor’s voice startled him, not realizing he was practically shoulder to shoulder with him.
“But why are they even staring, do I have something on my face?”Jayce rubbed his cheek absentmindedly.
“You stink of Piltie.” Jayce heard the self-satisfied smirk in his voice.
“I showered this morning!” Peals of laughter and the thud-thud-thud of his cane across rough gravel.
“Take as many showers as you want, you reek of good breeding and the Zaunites have keen noses.”
“But you’re Topside now, you live in Piltover, an honorary citizen. They don’t stare at you…”
“You’re leaving something out.”
“What?” Viktor smiled.
“The good breeding bit. You have a house, a crest, a name that holds weight. Who am I? An Under-dweller playing the part of Piltie with no house and no family name.”
“But…we’re building that together! With Hextech, you’ll create your own house that starts with you. You’re more than where you grew up, V.”
Viktor came to an abrupt halt, the woman behind him swerving and cursing in his direction before speeding off.
It took Jayce several paces before he realized Viktor was not in line with him anymore. His stomach flipped, cold sweat accumulating at his hairline. He whipped his head around, only seeing the swaths of faceless workers and miners and panhandlers.
Once he fully turned around, he could see Viktor, the singular person outside the pulsing wave around him. Jayce turned on his heel, going against the crowd. He inadvertently shoved people, bowing his head, mumbling half hearted apologies.
When Jayce finally reached Viktor, he shot out his hand, grasping his bicep.
“Vik, everything okay? Is it your leg, back? What’s the matter, do we have to see a doctor?” His eyes tried searching Viktor’s but they were glazed over, not meeting his gaze.
After a momentary silence Viktor’s eyes refocused, his mouth set in a tight frown.
“What if I’m not, Jayce?” His voice was thick with heat and disdain.
“What if you’re not what, V?” Viktor shrugged off Jayce’s hand and dove back into the heaving crowd, Jayce struggling to push through.
“I’m a Zaunite, I’m from here.” Viktor motioned with his free hand to the discolored buildings spotted with soot and dirt, the buildings and storefronts stacked on top of each other.
“Viktor you know I don’t care about that, I just…I’m lost, you gotta help me out.”
“Ty sobec malý bohatý kluku. I won’t ever be more than where I grew up. I’m no better than that miner there or the kid shaking his helmet for a coin or two. All of them…they’re me, they’re my neighbors. These are the only people who see me for who I am.”
A lump formed in Jayce’s throat.
“Tell me, what is it you see?”
Thud, thud, thud.
Jayce cleared his throat, trying to dislodge the lump.
“I…ummm…is this a trick question, V?
“No, please take it at face value. What do you see?”
“Well, I see a lot…of people.”
“Yes, clearly, now try to see past them.”
“I…don’t know what you want me to say, V.”
Thud, thud, thud.
“Of course, the one who’s always so quick with the witticisms has nothing to say.”
Thud, thud, thud.
“No, Viktor, just… gimme a second, hold on.” Jayce slowed their pace, looking for somewhere to stop. There was an overhang above a corner store that seemed devoid of people. He steered them that way.
Jayce raked a shaking hand through his hair. From Viktor’s detached demeanor, he realized he fucked up. But really, feeling a connection to a place like Zaun? When he already had a foothold in Piltover academia? What was Viktor looking for him to see?
Jayce observed the tired, drawn faces of those walking, many covered in soot and oil residue, pick axes and bags slung over each shoulder. They wore frayed overalls over threadbare thermal tops, boots patched with mismatched tanned leather.
Across the street, a pair of young friends played jacks on a building stoop. Several buildings down, a woman held a black cat close to her chest, petting its slim frame, laughing at something someone out of his line of vision said. The cat slumped into her scratches, eyes half lidded and content.
A young woman squealed, running down the steps of a nearby apartment to meet a large man with thick brown hair tied in a haphazard knot, tendrils falling around his face. He was covered in grime but did not hesitate to drop his things and embrace her, engulfing her frame.
They exchanged a few words before the pair of them were kissing, slow and painfully intimate. He cupped her face in his hands, gentle in his need. She, on the other hand, was ravenous, twining her fingers into his gathered hair.
Jayce looked away, feeling every bit the voyeur. He scanned the street, looking for more interactions and there were many. The after-work rush slowly abated and he could see more community, more intentional groups forming outside of pubs and taverns and corner markets.
“I stand by what I said,” Jayce replied, turning to look at Viktor.
“What do you mean?” Viktor side eyed him, unsure where he was going with this.
“I said I saw a lot of people. I saw them but…I wasn’t really seeing, you know? But just now, I saw, I continue to see, people.” The two looked at each other, one skeptical, the other resolute with a softness in his eyes.
“Vik, listen. I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I…haven’t really gone to the Undercity a lot, there’s never really been much of a reason for me to. I never meant any disrespect, really.” Jayce’s voice thick with sincerity, Viktor eyed him warily before rolling his eyes and reaching out for a one-armed hug.
“Thank you Jayce, that means a lot.” Jayce returned it with a squeeze before Viktor started off again. The street was clearer than before now that everyone had started settling into their post-work routine. “We’ve already wasted too much time, come, come.” Viktor beckoned Jayce to follow him. And he did, as he always would.
***
The pair went down several more streets before landing on one that was particularly raucous.
“Ideally I’d rather not have to walk through this way, but it’s the fastest route to my favorite spot. Again just…pay them no mind.” There were many more people gathered outside and in establishments than on the main street.
Signs flashed neon red, blue, green, some flickering from overuse. The street lamps shone low and warm, casting dark shadows where they did not touch. Jayce looked up. He didn’t even realize how dark it had gotten.
He knew nighttime had crept in, yet he saw no stars to indicate such. In confusion, he looked up and around some more, trying to see if he could catch any stars, even a glimpse of a moon but…nothing besides manmade light and darkness.
Again, Jayce realized he had lost his guide. He cursed under his breath.
“Vik? Viktor?” Jayce said in a raised voice, the background sounds of intoxicated patrons swallowing his enquiries.
“Hey there handsome,” a sultry voice whispered in his ear. Jayce spun around, caught off guard. Before him stood a tall, beautiful woman with billowing hair and eyes the color of rusted iron. She was well adorned with jewelry of all metals, many with a handcrafted appearance. The woman’s dress was tight and revealing, exposing her smooth, toned legs. Intricate, symmetrical tattoos covered the length of her limbs.
“H-Hey,” Jayce mumbled, trying not to stare at any part of the woman for very long.
“What brings a pretty Piltie all the way down to Zaun?”
“Oh um… I was just with my part…friend, he’s from down here and didn’t have an appetite for Topside food tonight.”
“Friend? Looks like you’re here by yourself.”
“Yeah well…I was…distracted and he must’ve thought I went farther up instead of stopping so-” Jayce continued averting his gaze. The woman chuckled.
“You know, stranger, you’re allowed to look,” she said, now close enough to touch. With permission, Jayce fixed his focus on this mystery woman with indulgence.
She wore her makeup in a heavy style that would have been deemed improper by Piltover society. He could not imagine her without it, her features stood out to an almost painful degree.
“So…does this stranger have a name?” She asked, ghosting her hand over his arm.
“Jayce, my name’s Jayce. It’s a pleasure to meet you…?”
“Evelina, but the special ones call me Evie. And the pleasure is all mine…Jayce.” Her lips wrapped around his name in a way that sent a jolt through him.
“So…which should I call you?”
“Depends, do you think you’re special?” Evie smiled, bit her lip.
“Do I think I’m what?”
“You heard me, pretty boy, but just in case…” She leaned in, her breath hot in his ear. “Are you special enough to call me Evie?” She punctuated her question with a light nibble of his earlobe.
“...Jayce?”
Viktor stood, leaning on his cane, his expression unreadable.
“Viktor!” Jayce immediately took a step back from Evie and started scratching the back of his head. “I was just about to come find you, but-”
Before Jayce could finish what he was saying, Viktor strode over to him, wrapping his free arm around his waist and pulling Jayce flush against him. Evie looked at Jayce, then Viktor, then Viktor’s arm, then back at Jayce. Jayce’s breath came out in short bursts. Evie flashed the two of them a toothy grin.
“Ahhh, the more the merrier! We have a couples rate that is sure to please the both of you. I don’t even have to be involved, if I’m not your flavor.” Jayce’s brows furrowed in abject confusion. Viktor tightened his grip on Jayce’s waist.
“We are not interested, Miss,” Viktor said in polite restraint. Evie’s orange eyes flashed.
“But me and Jayce were just getting acquainted…” Evie began taking a step forward before Viktor swiped his cane on the ground in warning.
“You do not want to take another step forward. We said we were not interested. Now, go solicit elsewhere. Best of luck on your endeavors.” Evie laughed at this.
“Oooh you weren’t lying when you said he was from here! He’s got bite, that one. If you’re ever looking for anything different, feel free to come to Clara’s.” Evie gave the two of them one last once over before flashing a smile and walking away.
Once her back was turned, Viktor released his grip on Jayce’s waist, muttering something under his breath before motioning them to walk again.
“What?” Jayce asked, dazed from the entire interaction.
“What?! What do you mean, ‘what?’ What part of pay them no mind do you not understand?”
“I thought I was just making polite conversation!”
“Come on Jayce, you are much too smart to genuinely believe that.”
“She seemed really nice!”
“And why do you think that was?”
“Maybe she just wanted to have a chat, how was I supposed to know?”
“That’s how it works down here, it’s implied that you know.”
“Know what???”
Viktor closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath before continuing.
“She’s a working girl, Jayce, she wanted you to pay to have sex with her.”
“...Oh.”
“Why do you think she mentioned ‘couple rates?’”
“Yes, that’s about when I caught up to speed with that.”
“But before then? She was practically humping your leg when I interrupted.”
“I thought people were just…very forward down here.”
“Don’t lie, you were lapping it up weren’t you?” Viktor’s tone was light and teasing.
“Is that how you see me, a dog?”
“Well…puppy to be more exact, that’s about where your moral fortitude lies.”
“I’ll remember that when it comes to the byline for our Hextech copyright.”
“I already figured you would put your own name before mine.” Jayce laughed, rolling his eyes.
“To be fair V, you kind of left me to my own devices back there.”
“And how was I supposed to know you were going to disappear and nearly be consumed by a leggy sex worker?”
“As if you didn’t stop dead on the main street of Zaun a little while ago and leave me to figure out where you were?”
“And the snake eats its own tail, et cetera et cetera. Are you going to continue this pissing contest, or shall we finally go eat?”
***
Jayce hardly realized they had come to a stop in front of an unassuming shopfront. There were no neon signs or flashy banners, just a metal sign with the restaurant name engraved in it. As they made their way inside, Jayce noticed that, despite its size, it had healthy patronage.
The decor was very sparse yet cozy, with tables and seating spread around, the dimmed lighting emanating warmth. The bar was the centerpiece of the establishment, glasses and flagons lining above and behind the counter space, taps of beers, ciders and rows of liquor snaked around the wall.
Viktor looked around for an empty table, to no avail. He motioned for Jayce to follow him up to the bar where he spotted two open stools side by side.
Just as they had settled into their seats, a booming voice emerged over the chatter, “Viktor!” A burly man who appeared to be in his late 50s emerged within eyeline. Jayce saw the corners of Viktor’s eyes crinkle, smiling wide as he responded,
“Josef, good to see you.”
“I give on house!” The large man procured three shot glasses and a bottle of what appeared to be very dark liquor in a green glass bottle.
Some of the surrounding patrons turned to glare at Josef. Josef, with his wide build, heavy tattoos and the scar that ran down the length of his face, turned to them and cracked his neck and knuckles.
They immediately ducked back down to nurse their drinks.
“Oh Josef, that won’t be necessary-”
“You? Hush. We three drink.” He poured out three equal pours of the rich liquid. Viktor and Jayce obliged, each taking a glass. Josef held out the glass, shouted, “Na zdravi!” Viktor returned in kind. Jayce looked at the two of them, muttered ‘cheers’ and downed the shot with them in one go.
The taste hit the back of his throat. Sour, bitter, harsh. He immediately poured them another, which made Viktor laugh.
“Můj kamarád, we need food or else this will be a very messy scene, and I do not want that for you.”
“But of course! What can Josef get you and your…?” Josef shot an expectant look at Viktor. Another laugh before replying, “this is Jayce, we’re business partners and close friends.”
“Ah…friend. Any friend of Viktor is friend of Josef. Welcome Jayce!” He slammed the bottom of his shot glass on the bar front before downing it.
“Great meeting another friend of Viktor’s!” Jayce smiled at Viktor and Josef.
“Josef, we’ll have two pivní guláš with extra knedlíky and two of the house ciders. If we could also bring out a platter of bread and cheese while we wait, that would be much appreciated.”
“Absolutely, will be out shortly.” After Josef left to put those in, he took the shot, extended his arm, looked up and downed it.
“Vik...”
“What is it, Jayce?”
“When were you gonna tell me you were like a celebrity in the Undercity?”
“Jayce, don’t be ridiculous.”
“Well, is Josef the owner of this place or isn’t he?”
“He is but-”
“Did we not just get free shots?”
“Yes, but-”
“Seems like a celebrity to me!”
“You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Just…being…” Viktor motioned non distinctly with his hands.
“How are you on such good terms with him anyway?” Jayce grabbed the shot and finally downed it with a wince.
“When my mother died, he kind of…looked out for me. I helped with odds and ends things at first, then with the numbers side of things when I got older. I guess he formed a soft spot for me.”
“I see…and that dish you ordered us, what…exactly is it?”
“Pivní guláš? It’s good, hearty. Trust me, you’ll like it.”
“Okay V, I trust you.” Josef came back grinning with the bread and cheese platter that was also filled with dried fruits, nuts and other nibbles.
“Kamarád, you spoil us!” Viktor’s eyes were wide and gleaming and under the soft lantern’s glow, Jayce felt a belonging he never thought possible.
“Please, eat! All on house for Vitya and friend Jayce.”
“Josef… this is too much.”
“Eht! I will hear no talk of that. You are much too skinny, why you let him get in this way, Jayce?” Jayce could already feel his cheeks bright from the liquor, he suspected he looked to be on fire at that moment, underneath Josef’s enquiring gaze.
“Jayce is not my keeper, Josef. I eat when I remember, enough to make sure everything’s running how it’s supposed to. Now, stop fretting over me and pour us those ciders, prosím.”
With a kurt, unsatisfied nod, Josef went to get two glasses.
“It sounds like Josef wants my head on a spike.”
“He’s a little rough around the edges and quite protective of me. He is harmless.”
“What’d he call you…Vitya?”
“Mmmm yes, a sort of…familiar nickname used.”
“You’ve never told me that.” Jayce tried to hide the hurt in his voice.
“It never came up. It’s used with family mostly, a little term of endearment I suppose.”
Josef placed the filled glasses in front of them.
“I go check on you and friend Jayce’s dish.” With that, Josef walked away. Not a moment after his back was turned, Jayce dug into the spread, his hunger raging.
Halfway through his second mouthful of bread and cheese, he noticed a warm hum settling into his extremities. Jayce took a long swig of cider, the comfort spreading throughout his body.
He became more aware of those around him, zeroing in on conversations across the bar, their laughter and playful disputes. He wondered how different life would have been if the roles were reversed, if Viktor was born Topside and he was born to the Undercity. Would he have carved out a life for himself? Would he frequent this very bar? Jayce wondered if there were realities just out of reach, if there existed a veil between here and that reality. Life would be simpler. He would work as a blacksmith, and have a family of his own.
“...Jayce!”
“Hmm?” He tried blinking the bleariness away.
“Are you not listening? I said your name twice, the food’s here.”
Jayce looked down and Viktor was right, Josef and placed two steaming bowls in front of them, the contents inside red with chunks of meat and roughly shaped dumplings. He held the spoon and dug in.
The first bite was…delicious. Jayce let out a deep moan before tucking in. Fully focused on inhaling the food, Jayce barely noticed the gentle but firm hand on his elbow.
“Slow down, Jayce, no one’s taking it away from you.” He looked down at his hand then at Viktor. There was concern hidden underneath the joking tone, his eyes betrayed his worry. Jayce set down his spoon, dabbed his mouth with his napkin.
“Sorry it’s just…really fucking good.” Viktor laughed.
“I told you to trust me, didn’t I?”
“V, I never not trust you, you’re the most…trustworthy person I know.” He took another full swallow of cider, polishing off the glass. Josef came over and refilled both their glasses.
“If that’s true, you need to keep better company.”
“I mean it!” Jayce punctuated this with a kindhearted shoulder shove. “You always, always check me when no one else will. You don’t care about ego or status, you say it how it is. Which, not gonna lie, I kinda hate but also love.”
“Same coin, different sides.” Viktor clinked his glass on Jayce’s on the table before taking a long swallow.
Jayce wasn’t staring. He wasn’t. He just so happened to look over at that exact moment. Viktor’s smooth neck exposed, muscles working to swallow the sweet-tart cider. Liquid dribbled out the corner of his mouth and Jayce salivated. He white-knuckled his stool, wanting so badly to reach over with his thumb, swipe it and suck the cider off his finger.
“How we liking meal?” The bass of Josef’s voice snapped Jayce back to the present.
“Josef, you’ve outdone yourself, thank you kindly,” Viktor responded.
“Yes, I second that, thank you Josef.” With a boorish smile that exposed several gold capped teeth, he poured more of the bitter liquor into their glasses.
Jayce balked at Viktor, watching him put away the shot with ease.
He didn’t even seem affected.
Jayce took two short breaths before hitting the bottom of the glass on the bar and swallowing, trying not to taste the sharp bitterness. He grit his teeth, bracing himself, riding out the wave of disgust.
Viktor gave a pitying glance over in Jayce’s direction.
“Josef? Two waters, when you get a chance.”
“How do you just…throw those back like that?” Jayce asked, still tense after his last shot.
“Practice.”
“Practice?! What do you mean practice?”
“Well, when you spend your formative years in a bar, you learn to keep up or get left behind. My peers made sure to cover that so I found solace here.”
“I just…who wouldn’t like you? I didn’t know you as a kid but I doubt you were much different.” A part of Jayce could hear himself slightly slur his words but that didn’t matter because he was with Viktor and why wouldn’t he tell him the truth?
“I don’t know Jayce, children can be…cruel sometimes.”
“Makes me wanna beat ‘em up.” Jayce mimed a fighter’s stance. Viktor chuckled, gently lowering his fists.
“Now Jayce…let’s be adults here.”
“They should’ve never done that to you. Poor little Vik.”
“No, they should not have. It is long in the past now. Now? We are innovators, men of progress.”
Jayce smiled wide. From a boldness lent to him by liquor and dim lighting, he laid a hand at the top of Viktor’s thigh. He could bet he’d be able to circle it in one of his hands. He leaned in close, inches from Viktor’s face. Jayce did not try to hide how intensely he stared at his lips. He wet his own.
“The pride of Piltover and Zaun.” Mere breaths held them apart. Viktor returned his stare, looking at his own mouth.
Viktor was the one to lean back first, putting distance between them. He slammed his palm on the bar. “Josef, čtyři.”
The owner furrowed his brow, slung a hand towel over his shoulder.
“Jsi si jistý? Nepřeháněj to, kamaráde.”
"Ano, jsem si jistý. Teď nalij."
Jayce, too inebriated to care they had switched to a language he was not familiar with, watched as Josef lined up four shot glasses, pouring that same dark, dark liquid. He began leaning forward before Viktor stilled him with a chilled, resolute look and a shake of his head.
“You’re…those aren’t all for you.”
“Yes, they are.” Jayce started, laughing in disbelief
Jayce shot a pleading look to Josef, who looked away.
“Are you trying to prove something?”
“What could I possibly have to prove to you?” The probing question felt barbed, pointed and personal.
“Viktor, what the fuck? What’s that supposed to mean?” This was the first time he saw an ugly cruelty to Viktor. Rather than answering, Viktor took each shot in quick succession.
“Good job giving him alcohol poisoning Josef, thought you’d know better.” Jayce stood, stool screeching. He took the cash in his pocket and dumped it on the bar. He strode to the door, slamming it behind him.
The stench of exhaust fumes and rotten garbage punched the back of his throat. He gagged, stumbled into the side alleyway and vomited. Music boomed in the bars and clubs down the street. He staggered back to the sidewalk, walking aimlessly.
Thud, thud, thud.
Jayce rolled his eyes. He did not stop to turn around.
“I actually don’t need to hear what you have to say. We should just…find our ways back separately.”
I…Jayce…”
Thud, thud, thud.
Tears rolled down Jayce’s cheeks. He did not bother to wipe them.
“I’m not going to repeat myself, Viktor. Just…go.”
Thud, thud, thud. A slender hand grasping his wrist.
“Jayce…look at me.”
And so he did. He looked into his pleading eyes and tender face and immediately wanted to fall to his knees, gripping and pawing and sobbing like a child.
“Jayce, I was severely out of line back at Josef’s. That was something you did not deserve said to you. I was mean and bitter and I am deeply sorry.” He punctuated his apology with a squeeze of Jayce’s wrist. He pulled out of his grip.
“Viktor, we can’t keep doing this thing where we take two steps forward and ten steps back. You…you’re my best friend and I… can’t fight with you about this when I’m this drunk.”
“That is more than fair, Jayce. I really am truly, deeply sorry. We will talk about this when we are both sober.”
“Both? Are you even drunk?”
“Severely. I would not be able to operate heavy machinery right now.”
Jayce couldn’t help but release a deep belly laugh.
“You had, what, 8 shots? And a full glass of cider?”
“That sounds about right, yes.”
“You’re not even slurring your words. If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were part robot.”
“Well…you would not be totally wrong about that.” He took his cane and gave his brace a couple whacks. They looked at each other briefly before breaking down into raucous laughter.