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Soft hues of blue and white swim around the dancing Hexcore as Viktor’s hands tirelessly manipulate the device.
Night had long ago fallen upon the city of Piltover, but as Professor Heimerdinger always says, “Great minds never rest!” Perhaps that's why the professor took a liking to Viktor, he never sleeps. A symptom of a potential, no doubt.
Despite his gifted nature, Viktor was struggling to understand the Hexcore. Arcane fits into the established laws of science he has studied his entire life, just very… particularly. This isn’t something he observes on a daily basis, in other words, he is working from scratch.
His eyes burn. And his wrists hurt. And the fog in his head is growing with the hour handle, but he can’t help but feel like every passing minute spent figuring out what he’s doing wrong is one more step to unlocking the limitless potential of Hextech.
God. Hextech? Really? Jayce is easily the most handsome and charismatic person he knows, but even someone as strong willed as him couldn’t sell a name as pretentious sounding as “Hextech” to the scientist.
Viktor leans forwards in his chair, releasing his hands from the steering tool to rub his forehead. He isn't defeated, although his physical stamina may be wearing. Roadblocks are normal, and with every failed test the road to success becomes clearer in the uncharted land of new technology… Which may also be something the professor has told him. Professor Heimerdinger is very influential. A useful trait in a city populated by impressionables.
In the solemnity, an echo of footsteps from far off in the laboratory gain volume as they pass behind Victor's chair, observing the test subject.
“It’s beautiful.” the young assistant says, awe in her words.
Viktor taps his head, observing the device in frustration, “I can’t figure out why it’s not working.”
Eagerly with a smile she replies, “You will.” Then she clutches her notebook to her chest shyly. After a few silent moments pass fiddling with her glasses, she finally blurts, ”Are you headed home soon? I thought we could walk together.”
Viktor was only half listening while he scribbled quickly, head already stuck back into his notes recording the subject's behavior, “I’m probably going to sleep here tonight” is what he would’ve said with full intention until falters, remembering why the lab seemed so quiet today.
“Oh, I- uh, yes, I should probably do that.” he says, lurching upwards “I promised Jayce I would brief him on today's updates in exchange for his compliance with doctor's orders, like that should be bartered anyhow.” he begins to shuffle loose notes together and closes his journal.
Perking up, she laughs “Oh, right! Everything was so peaceful today I didn’t dare to think as to why that might be.” her voice softens and averts her gaze to the far window, “Poor Jayce, it really took a whole one hundred and two degree fever to get him out of this lab for a few days.”
Viktor remembers the look of surprise followed by desperation on Jayce’s face when he read the thermometer, “One hundred in three actually.”
The assistants mouth parts in surprise, “My goodness, well that should serve as a lesson to you too Viktor, there are consequences for over exerting yourself.”
Viktor chuckles softly at this, “Thank you Ms. Young.”
She begins to move towards the door, papers in hand. Excitedly she turns around with a smile on her face nodding towards the laboratory entrance, “Shall we?”
* * *
The University's private research sector is so spacious it’s lonely. Long hallways hold tall glass windows that look out upon the still courtyard. Curfew for students has passed hours ago, although even the birds and squirrels aren’t making any fuss at this time of night.
Eventually the main hallway gives way to a more private section of the building, not intended for residential use, but a very few dedicated scientists make do with the extra rooms. If “a very few dedicated scientists” meant Viktor. After his graduation as a student of the academy, he was immediately appointed assistant to the dean of the academy, and evicted from student housing. Thankfully this arrangement made his trips between the councilors office and his workspace manageable, even given his impediment.
Nearing a particular door with an oddly complicated locking system, Viktor removes a ring of keys from his vest pocket.
Appearing confused at this, Ms. Young says, “Were you not planning to check up on Jayce, I could arrange a private shuttle, or if it’s too late I could always make the trip if you prefer?”
Viktor blinks, realizing his error. “Oh, that will not be necessary, you see-” the door flies open from the inside, revealing a messy looking Jayce, slouched and gripping the door frame, making glaring eye contact with Viktor.
Ms. Young and Viktor freeze in place, caught off guard. The assistant starts, waving her hand, “Um, hello Mr. Talis-” until Jayce cuts her off, yet to break eye contact with Viktor.
“You’re late.”
Viktor stares at his obvious mess of a research partner, “You’re supposed to be resting.”
“We had a deal.” Jayce says, sternly. To the looks of things, focusing behind the taller man on the room's main table, Jayce has been doing everything but sleep. Papers and dishes lay scattered across the table's surface.
Viktor glances over to Ms. Young who’s puzzled look is trying to piece together whatever she has walked into. He then steps towards Jayce placing the back of his hand on his forehead, which doesn’t feel much better than this morning, and motions him back inside to which he obliges.
Standing in the doorway, He then turns back toward his assistant, “My apologies Ms. Young, I will see you tomorrow.” he pauses “Presumably.”
Ms. Young stutters, pushing her glasses up “Uh yes, goodnight Viktor.” she leans glancing over his shoulder. “and I hope you get well soon Mr. Talis.” She manages to get out before a hand from behind Viktor reaches forward, pulling the door close.
Viktor turns around, looking up towards Jayce who still has his hand on the door frame next to his face “That was rude,” Viktor says, and narrows his eyes accusingly “And what are you doing out of bed?”
“I dunno” Jayce slurs, head dropping. “Waiting for you, I guess.”
“I guess?” Inquires Viktor, placing his palm again on Jayces burning forehead again.
“You were gone for so long. I did sleep for a while, but then I got thirsty, and then it was too hot, and you still weren’t here.” Jayce mumbles, as he begins to visibly struggle under the weight of his own body.
“Alright c’mon” he says, Dropping his satchel at his feet, Viktor moves to wrap his free arm around Jayce and leads him off the door, “You look terrible.”
“So do you.” he retorts.
Viktor rolls his eyes, he’s not wrong. Slowly he leads Jayce back onto the main room's couch which has been swamped with with pillows and thick blankets that have since been pushed around. Jayce plops onto the cushioned furniture and rolls himself back up in the way he fell asleep last night, facing up to Viktor who has sat on the edge of the couch, laying his cane on the floor and loosening his tie.
He’s like a big baby, Viktor concludes. He notices the pitcher of water he left on the side table before leaving this morning. Completely empty he notes, along with the drinking glass next to it. To the looks of things, Jayce has been keeping up with all of the doctor's recommendations.
Viktor smiles and cups Jayce’s cheek, running his thumb softly along his face, “How are you feeling?” he asks.
Jayce closes his eyes and hums at the touch, “Never better.”
Viktor chuckles, “Have you eaten at all?”
Lazily nodding towards the cooking area, Viktor follows the motion to see a half eaten sandwich on the countertop, “Caitlyn stopped by with something.”
“That’s good.” Viktor states, pushing the hair stuck to the sick man's forehead, combing it back soothingly. Jayce physically relaxes and his breathing begins to slow.
“Have you eaten?” Jayce questions back with closed eyes, catching Viktor off guard.
“Worrying about me, are you?”
“Just returning the favor.”
Viktor thinks for a few moments, recounting the day's events but nothing seems to stand out to him like it usually does when Jayce is working alongside him. “I missed you” He says without a second thought, and quickly continues, “Oh, and the Hexcore isn’t working still, or doing much of anything for that matter besides what you already know. I detailed todays observations for you in my-”
Reaching for his satchel, he finds nothing and remembers he had abandoned it by the front door. He turns his body seeking the notes he promised to return here with, but is interrupted by Jayce's hand reaching out, turning the sitting man’s body towards him again. “I missed you too.” he says with a smile, seeming more awake than a few seconds ago.
Viktor blushes. Jayce’s hand is like fire on the back of his neck, and suddenly he too is experiencing the symptoms of a powerful fever. Jayce holds him there, looking into him like he’s asking a question, except this kind of question isn’t one you need a research team to find the answer to. Viktor knows what he’s feeling deep down, even if he won’t admit it out loud.
“I think we both need some sleep.” Jayce says, running his hand up into the pale man's soft brown hair. “I’ll read through everything tomorrow, I promise.”
Leaning into the touch, Viktor continues to stare at Jayce, processing the buzzing feeling on his neck, and now the rest of his body. He studies Jayce, who’s dark brown hair has been fully slicked back, revealing his gold, attentive eyes, which mirror his intentions with just as much curiosity.
The title “Golden Boy” definitely suits him. Even when suffering a crazy high fever, his sweat and exhaustion still exudes attractiveness, which must be an evolutionary error, Viktor is sure of that. The man who is possibly fighting the worst cold he has ever had in his entire life can still flash a smile that could dazzle any council member if he so chooses.
Good thing I’m only an assistant to a counselor, Viktor thinks.
Jayce has removed Victor's tie and has begun unbuttoning his vest, little to Victor's awareness, as his inner thoughts still manage to captivate his entire consciousness. After pushing the Vest off the thin man's shoulders, he jolts back to reality.
“Jayce?” Viktor questions.
Jayce continues to work his way down the next layer, button by button. He smiles, shyly this time, and murmurs to himself, “You would fall asleep upright if someone didn’t remind you to lay down.” Once finished, he pulls away and gestures down, “go on, take your shoes off.”
Drowsily, Viktor complies, reaching down to arrange both his shoes at the foot of the couch, in the process pulling the rest of his uniform off his body, leaving only his white undershirt on his torso. Jayce runs his hands gently down Viktor's bare arm.
“Thank you, for everything.” Jayce whispers, just loud enough for him to hear.
With muddled caution, Viktor maneuvers to lace his fingers with the calloused ones of the craftsman, relishing the room's darkness. He closes his eyes, drawing circles on the back of Jayce's hand. He likes it here, moments like this, with him. Thoughts like this flood into his mind, feelings and intentions he rarely ever thinks about, although in the time he spends with Jayce, those moments have been becoming more frequent.
Realizing the situation, Jayce gently takes his dosing partner into his lap, pulling blankets above them both, and brings Viktor's head to rest beneath his chin. He doesn't mind, placing his ear to listen to the beats of Jayce’s heart.
They don't say anything else. Shared body heat and the rising sun is enough to lull both into a much needed sleep.
Morning will come and here they will stay, weaved into each other in every sense of the word. And for more days to come, they will continue like this, all wrapped up in each other as the universe intended, it seems.
Jayce never got another glass of water. An easy something to forget about when cradling the world in your arms.
Nothing is as powerful as the symptoms of attraction.