Chapter Text
Smoke was familiar to Viktor.
He knew the way it burnt in his lungs and stole his oxygen, the ashy scent that invaded his nose, the way it clung to his skin and refused to leave, the way it made his eyes water making it difficult to see.
Fire was familiar to Viktor, its burning, relentless rage that destroyed everything, how it made your skin sizzle as it crept closer and closer with nothing to stop it.
Chaos was familiar to Viktor, he had grown up in the streets of Zaun, weather it be raids from enforcers, gang wars, his siblings being slight menaces, he was good at damage control.
By the time of the riot on the bridge, he didn't even flinch at the sight of mutilated faces and limbs, at bone and muscle revealed, he didn't cry over the faces he recognised, he held the hands of those who couldn't be saved while some other stranger sealed their fate. He was good at getting the injured to safety, helping to stitch their wounds and realign bones, he dragged as many corpses as he could until his own hands were covered in strangers blood.
You never forget that feeling. The chaos, the endless screaming everywhere you turn your head, Viktor though he knew it…knew how to tolerate the chaos.
But now.
Now it was different.
Now the council building had exploded, now he was sure he was supposed to be dead, instead he’d jolted upright coughing and gasping for air, he distantly heard Mel’s voice, he felt a surge of energy in his veins, he saw a blue glow and felt a thrum of power around him.
“Viktor!” Mels voice finally broke through the ringing in his ears, his lungs had calmed and the smoke didn't phase him, he felt rubble under his hands, cuts and scrapes across his body that hissed in quiet pain, some of his clothing was torn and he felt the ash and smoke stick to his skin and mix with the sweat that had slowly begun to build from the gentle fires in the background.
He locked eyes with Mel.
There were many things Viktor thought of Mel, one being that he didn't particularly like her, though he wouldn't deny she was smart, cunning, manipulative, easily controlled a room with practiced elegance and confidence, she was undeniably beautiful, even if she wasnt his type whatsoever, she was strong, sure of her actions and herself, brave, decisive.
Not scared, never scared.
But now, as Viktor looked at her, the two covered in soot and ash and chaos roared around them, she was nothing short of utterly terrified, safe to say Viktor was as well.
He took in his surroundings, the council room was blown to smithereens, bodies everywhere, smoke and ash everywhere, runes dancing in the sky, which seemed incredibly out of place.
Viktor looked up to see the Hexcore, in all its blue powerful glory, coursing with pure magic, blue tendrils latched onto councilors, one by one they began to breathe and the tendrils retreated back into the Hexcore.
Runes danced around Viktors crippled leg, his head hurt, voices of the past echoed in his ears, voices of the now yelled and screamed, some called out his name, more people barged into the room of ash and chaos, some were familiar but Viktor couldnt tell because his stupid fucking mind wasnt focusing.
Someone put a hand on his shoulder, it was unfamiliar, but grounding enough that he came back to his senses, the runes around his leg were gone and he felt…different.
That strange unfamiliarity of the shimmer augmented limbs was gone, he felt his limbs were his again.
He began to stand up, Mel steadying him, quickly realising that he could in fact stand on his own two legs with a slight confusion taking control over her fear.
Viktor looked around, each councilor was accounted for, breathing, and had someone attending to them.
Bolbok
Salo
Hoskel
Shoola
Cassandra
…
Where was Jayce?
Viktor looked behind him, under a few small pieces of rubble, perfect white coat torn, hair disheveled, ever smiling face slack.
Viktors heart stopped, he ran over to Jayce, collapsed at his side, pushing the rubble off, hand against his pulse point.
Nothing.
Someone screamed, maybe it was Viktor, between the shock and pain he couldn't tell, a blue tendril appeared from the Hexore and latched onto Jayce like something greedy, pushing power into Jayce so quickly Viktor saw his veins glow under his tanned skin.
He heard yelling in the background, Mel, she sounded angry, footsteps behind him, arms wrapped around him, breaking his grip from Jayce, Viktor protested, he screamed, he clawed at whoever this person was, he was pulled up against a body, he felt something wet on the fabric that his face was pressed against, given the salty taste on his lips his guessed tears.
When did he start crying?
This person, this familiar person was talking, telling him it was going to be ok, one hand in Viktor’s hair and the other on his back in what could easily be classified as a hug, Viktor was able to pull his face back to see officers fluttering over Jayce, wrapping wounds, starting IV lines, hooking him up to monitors.
Viktor saw the heart rate bounce up and down on the small monitor, and he cried louder from relief.
“He's going to be just fine” said the person holding him, the voice was familiar, slightly hoarse but not like a deep growl, the hands holding him were rough yet secure, once again this was familiar.
Viktor painfully tore his eyes from Jayce and to the person holding him.
Silco.
—-
There were a few things wrong with the reputation Silco had in the undercity.
For one, he was not the man in control of the shimmer supply, not anymore.
As of a couple hours ago, after Talis had asked for him to shut down the shimmer factories and hand in Jinx (Silco was less than eager to hand over his daughter) next thing he knows he’s gagged and tied to a chair, Jinx is waving a gun around while Violet and that enforcer girl were tied up as well.
If you ask Silco, he’d say he wasn't panicking at that time, truthfully he was, his daughter was torn between two lives and was forcing Violet to choose which would reign supreme.
Silco didn't want Vi to be a part of Jinx’s life, she left that child behind in the fire and ash after nothing more than an accident, a child trying to aid her family.
As much as he wanted that, there was some stupid part deep in Silco that knew…Vi cared, she was worried for her younger sister and was struggling to understand whatever was going on in her head.
Truthfully, Silco did not completely understand it either, he knew there were voices, all the time, sometimes they were louder, sometimes they were quieter, sometimes Jinx wasn't sure if they weren't real or not, sometimes she spoke back to them.
The enforcer girl - what had Marcus called her, Kirramen? - She was absolutely petrified, Janna knows how she ended up here, what the hell had Jinx done.
“Powder, please” Vi protested with her sister, fatal mistake, the continuous use of the name Powder, Silco had learnt that in the early days.
Goddam he needed Vi to trust him, that would be difficult, he’d spent the last few days trying to kill her.
He looked at Vi while Jinx was in the midst of battling the monsters of her mind, she wandered away, long enough for Silco to talk to Vi. If they couldn't find a way to work on equal grounding, this dinner was going to end in blood.
“Violet” Silco whispered, ensuring Jinx wouldnt here.
“What did you do to her?” Vi hissed.
Oh.
The shimmer…Vi was talking about the purple veins and pink eyes…and possibly other things, such as taking her in as a child and allowing Jinx to become the mercenary she is currently.
Silco hesitated, Vi sighed.
“Can you help her?” she asked, resigned, Silco nodded, he wasn't certain, but it was worth a shot.
Vi sat back, not relaxed, but willing to let Silco take the reins.
“Shut up!” Jinx cried out to the doll of Mylo, “We’re talking!”
“What's he saying?” Silco asked, softly, slowly, he can handle this, he’s done it before.
“Doesn't matter” Jinx groaned, waving her pistol around, “It's…bothering you, I think it does matter”.
“Just…stupid stuff” Jinx said, starting to move away from Vi and closer to Silco.
“Such as?” He asked, “How-I- they keep saying that I’m messing up” She groaned, struggling to find the right words, “How I cant choose, because I tore this family up, and it's my fault, my fault, my fault ” Jinx repeated over and over.
“You didn't tear apart anything” Silco assured, “Our family is…complex, it's not inherently anyone's fault that it is the way it is” he explained.
“Powder or Jinx, they can't both exist” Jinx tried to explain, well…that is true…but…perhaps not the full truth.
“Perhaps they can” Silco suggested, “Powder needs Jinx to survive, Jinx needs Powder to continue allowing the wonders of the world to be just that” he explained, Jinx looked to Silco.
Silco looked to Vi.
Back me up here. He seemed to ask with his eyes. Vi understood.
“He’s right” Vi said, “No matter who you are, your my sister, nothing is going to change that” she explained.
“We can be a family, we can figure it out”
“You two don't like each other” Jinx motioned between Silco and Vi.
“I'm a grown adult, I can tolerate her…if that's what you want” Silco explained, Jinx’s eyes flickered with hope.
“I…I do want that” Jinx said with a soft smile.
“Then it can be done” Silco assured, Jinx’s smile faded as her gaze went to Caitlyn-
Where was Caitlyn?
“Drop the gun” oh shit.
Her hair still damp, paint smeared on her face, machine gun in hand.
Jinx turned to her, pistol in hand, ready to aim, ready to kill.
“No!” Silco and Vi screamed at the same time.
“Cait, shes my sister!” Vi tried, “She’s caused so much chaos, so much death, Vi, she kidnapped us! Shes too far gone” Caitlyn explained
Reasonable arguments, but also not helpful.
“Jinx” Silco said, slowly, softly, be careful, he's walking in a minefield right now.
“Drop the gun” He said, she turned enough for him to see one pink eye, “She- shes an enforcer- she…a piltie, you cant be-”
“Jinx I know” Silco said, locking eyes with Vi again, panicking still, then to Caitlyn, also panicking.
“But look at her, really, look” Silco asked, Jinx looked up to Caitlyn’s eyes.
“She’s scared” Silco explained, “Of me” Jinx laughed a little, “Oh what you’ll do” Silco corrected.
“So is Vi” Silco added, Jinx looked to her sister, “So am I” Silco admitted. That had Jinx turn her whole body to face him, Caitlyn looked to Vi, some sort of silent communication was enough for Caitlyn to lower the machine gun.
“I am scared that your going to do something that you cannot take back, something that wont end well for any of us” Silco explained, “This world is complex, we cannot simplify it, but we can find a way to navigate it…together”
“You…you were gonna sell me out to piltover” Jinx said, “Jinx your my daughter, I would never forsake you” Silco explained, smiling softly.
“We can figure this out, you, me…Vi” He said, looking over to Vi. she nodded.
“We will find a way to make this all work, I wont let Piltover take you” Silco promised.
And that was enough.
Jinx put her pistol down on the table, took out a small knife and walked over to Vi.
Oh shit maybe not.
She walked past Caitlyn too where Vi was bound, raised the knife. Vi flinched-
She cut through the ropes that were holding Vi, the former-inmate breathing heavily.
Thank god.
Jinx put a hand on her sister's shoulder.
“The Piltie” Jinx said softly Vi felt a pang of fear bounce in her heart, “I don't like her, but…I can tolerate” Jinx echoed Silco’s words from earlier.
“Just…don't leave me behind,” she added. Moving her hand from Vi’s shoulder, her sister stood up and wrapped her arms around Jinx.
“Never again” Vi promised, she pulled back and Jinx turned to face Caitlyn.
“Don't make me regret this…and be nice to her” Jinx said sternly, Caitlyn nodded, Jinx moved past Vi and over to Silco to cut his bonds, he stood up the second the ropes were cut and wrapped his arms around her.
And he just held her, he didn't say anything, he just had one hand on her back and the other on her head, gently pressing her against his shoulder, it was weird because he wasn't usually the one to initiate hugs, it was usually Jinx in his space, so she stiffened at first, dropping the blade to the ground, then melted into it quickly and wrapped her arms around him.
“I'm sorry” She muttered against his shoulder, “Don't be, you're perfect” He said, he didn't say it in a harsh tone, or in sarcasm, he just said it kindly, complete honesty, nothing that made Jinx second guess it or question the statement.
She was perfect.
Not Jinx
Not Powder.
Her.
For that short moment it was just her and Silco, like he’d always said, the two of them against the world, however…it was a short moment.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Loud claps with long gaps between them, there was a certain sense of snarkiness behind them, Jinx pulled back from Silco and noticed Caitlyn and Vi moving beside them.
From the darkness, a man with a tiny mad glint in his eyes, green clothing covered his pale skin and scarred mouth, half a scorched face.
Singed. The Mad Doctor.
“A touching moment, truly” he said, “What do you want?” Silco asked, the soft and kind man from two seconds ago was gone, back to his usual dangerous not-to-be-fucked-with persona.
“I simply wanted to offer my congratulations, you pulled your little family back together, granted you are still missing a few” He pointed out, his gaze flickered to the doll of Mylo and Claggor. Silco’s gaze sharpened, he moved his hand slightly to cover Jinx, stepping forward, practically using himself as a shield.
“Tell me, when was the last time you spoke with your son?” Singed said devilishly.
The fucking bastard.
“Back off” Vi interrupted, stepping forward as well, Caitlyn behind her, horribly confused.
“Simple questions, I am a man of science after all, I seek answers”
Caitlyn could've sworn she’d heard that before.
“Truely, it is good to see that you are well Jinx, you ran off from my lab to quickly, I wasn't even certain that you could handle the effects, though it seems you children have a habit of proving me wrong” Singed explained, moving forwards, looking at the table of a crazed tea party.
Finally his eye caught the large gun, Jinx’s modified Hextech weapon, he got a dangerous look in his eyes, but it was quickly shoved down and he returned to his monologue of questions.
“You're still yet to answer” He said to Silco, he stepped closer, and this time the crime lord pushed Jinx behind him, Vi did the same for Caitlyn, though she was still a step behind Silco.
“When did you last see him? Was it that bridge? After the explosion? Have you congratulated him on how far he’s come?” Singed asked, “It's of no concern to you” Silco snarled.
Singed only hummed, then looked to Vi and Caitlyn.
“We haven't met.” He said simply.
“No, we haven't, but I've decided I don't like you.” Vi said simply, Singed laughed lightly.
“You take on after your brother” Singed said simply, Vi tensed.
Caitlyn only seemed confused, Who was the ‘brother’ they were talking about? Was it one of these dolls? Or…someone else.
“As much as I would love to chat, I have work to do, taking control of my produce, conquering Piltover, tests to run and results are needed” He explained, “Oh I don't think so” Silco said, taking Jinx’s abandoned pistol, aiming it at Singed’s head.
“Why, aren't you eager” he pointed out, everything moved too damn fast.
Singed pulled out a gas can and pulled the pin, the four began to gag and cough, their vision becoming blurry from tears, they didnt stop, fists and bullets went flying, none of them hitting their target.
The Mad Doctor punched and kicked and used a knife to stab Caitlyn in her previous leg wound, he slashed Vi across the back causing her to stumble, he was too quick, how was he so quick? He maneuvered and missed each of Silco’s shots.
Jinx launched herself at his back, punching at his face, he grabbed her and flipped the girl over her shoulder, she landed on her back, grabbed his leg and forcing him to the ground, she got on top of him about to punch, he smirked as a giant shimmer beast crashed into Jinx, knocking her off the scientist.
“Powder!” Vi called out, rushing to help her sister through the smoke, Caitlyn grunted and pulled herself up to her feet, able to gain access to her sniper, by which point it was too late, Singed had grabbed the launcher and was running up old rusty railing, giving him perfect aim too-
The Council Building.
“Silco!” Caitlyn called out, knowing she couldn't get there in time, he turned to face her and she threw her sniper at him, he caught it and ran after Singed, positioned the rifle in his arms, he had the shot, he just registered Jinx calling out to him as the shimmer beast scratched at his back, leaving deep bloodied gashes against his skin and tearing his clothes, he screamed out in pain and missed the shot by a millimeter, Singed fired the gun.
Everything started moving in slow motion, Caitlyn latched onto Vi as she screamed watching the bomb fly to the council building, Jinx pulling herself up from the ground as the shimmer beast grabbed Singed, who jumped on its back, dropping the weapon and running off, Silco shot after him to no avail.
The bomb hit the council building in a blue explosion and erupted into a fiery haze, Silco went running after Singed, someone wrapped a hand around his wrist, it was Jinx, her pink eyes worried as she nodded over to Caitlyn and Vi. Caitlyn’s eyes welling with tears.
Where had he heard the name before?
Caitlyn Kirramen, the sheriff had said.
Councilor Kirramen.
Oh fuck.
The rest was a blur, rushing to the council building, pushing past the crowds and past enforcers with the aid of Caitlyn's status, racing up the stairs alongside red soldiers, coughing and spluttering through the growing ash and smoke in the air, crawling over debris and finally ino that damn council building.
Absolute chaos.
Silco was familiar with chaos, chaos had been a staple of his life, he had led charges of chaos against enforcers and now controlled the chaos of the Undercity, but none of that could have prepared him for this.
Enforcers and red soldiers on each councilor, some conscious, some not, a giant blue thing floating in the air, symbols floating around it (hold on, were those runes?) and strange blue tendrils wrapped around some of the councilors, Silco heard someone screaming, his eyes darted around until-
Oh dear Janna.
“Viktor!” Silco called out, the man was crying over the body of none other than Jayce Talis, Silco took one step towards his son.
“Hands up!” Someone yelled, Silco turned, enforcers barged in with their guns raised, Vi didn't hesitate to put her hands up, neither did Jinx, and for whatever reason Silco too.
“Put your guns down!” Someone called out from across the room, a councilor clearly, standing behind a much taller and slightly menacing woman. White dress covered in soot and torn, perfectly woven hair falling apart, yet somehow she remained mostly unscathed by the desimating bomb.
“But councilor they-” One enforcer tried to argue, her gaze hardened.
“I dont give a fuck , they are not your priority, the council is! Get the wounded out of here” She ordered, fire raging through her voice, “Vi, get Caitlyn out of here” She said - oh so they’ve met, delightful - Vi gently pulled Caitlyn away from her mother as enforcers put her on a stretcher to receive medical attention downstairs, Jinx trailed after them, enforcers glaring her down.
Mel turned to Silco, then to Viktor, she seemed scarce and worried, and she was doing her damn best to hide it.
“Can you-” She didn't even finish her sentence before Silco was rushing over to Viktor’s side, silent tears falling from the youngers face, Silco apologized to deaf ears and pried Viktor from Jayce’s body, he screamed, begged, it took everything in Silco to keep his grip, some deep buried paternal instinct had him pull Viktor against him and hide his face from the gruesome scene.
—
Once they’d pulled the councilors from the rubble and made it down to the dust covered streets of Piltover, an army of paramedics waiting for the injured to treat and then carted off to the Hospital, Viktor went to follow after Jayce, Vi followed after Caitlyn and her mother.
Silco stayed back - for reasons that escaped him - to help any other wounded out of the rubble, he’d done it a hundred times before in the mines, Jinx helped, shimmer strength used to help lift rubble and stone from injured. Enforcers and guards did not question his help.
Eventually they made it to Piltover general hospital.
The scratches on his back were of little concern to him, though a large concern to the Doctor’s at Piltover General…for whatever reason, Silco was so out of it in his own head he didn't notice getting dragged away, pulling his coat and shirt off, letting some man - Tobais, Caitlyn’s father, wasn't it her that got all pissy about Silco’s injuries? Who knows - clean up the wound, apply gauze, the second it was over he threw his clothes back on, back to the chaos of the hospital. Found Jinx, who led him to the waiting room with the others.
And now?
Pacing.
Silco wasn't one to pace, ask anyone who knows him, he has four methods on handling his emotions.
Smoke.
Drink.
Kill someone.
Stare at a wall. With a cigarette…and or a drink.
Pacing has never once been one of them.
Yet here he was, in that damn waiting room. Too bright, in his opinion. The sterile smell was giving him a headache. Jinx and Vi sat next to each other; beside Vi was Caitlyn, then Caitlyn’s father. The other doctors had told him to go sit with his daughter while he waited for word on his wife’s condition. Next to him sat some woman the nurses had called “Miss Talis” so presumably Jayce’s mother.
On the row of chairs opposite sat Councilor Medarda. She was the one who had yelled at the enforcers earlier. To her left was the Noxian queen, and to her right, Councilor Shoola - who, despite having half her face blown off, had insisted on sitting beside her friend while they waited.
And in the middle of the two rows was Silco.
Pacing.
For whatever reason he couldnt sit still, maybe it was the nerves still wearing off from that fucked up tea party and the Doctor, maybe it was the adrenaline rush from being in that council room, and later on the ground helping to get civilians out, why did he do that again?
It could also be knowledge that his entire empire was currently crumbling and falling into the hands of a mad doctor, why, why did he trust the mad doctor? Would trust even be the right word for it?
Most likely it was the anxiety regarding Viktor, his son, his goddamn son, apparently his health had been seriously declining in the last few months, Silco didn't know this, the two hadn't been in contact in six years, he knew Viktor was sick, that much was evident as he was growing up.
Medarda had explained he was essentially on death’s doorstep, and the Hexcore blasted him with its weird tendrils.
According to Vi, some random doctor appeared to take Viktor away despite his protests, at which point they deemed it fitting to sedate him - the fucking lunatics - and dragged him away for testing, and unfortunately because the constitution of Piltover was extremely prejudice, Viktor was at the mercy of the doctors.
So yes, Silco was scared, dare he say terrified, because his son has been drugged up after finding out that the mad man who tormented him as a child blew up the council and killed Jayce.
Silco has no idea what kind of mental state he’s in, if he's safe, if he’s alright, if he’s still dying despite the efforts of the Hexcore, was his leg healed? He was walking just fine earlier, would it last? Would Jayce be alright? What would happen to Viktor if Jayce wasn't alright?
“Silco!” A voice invaded his thoughts, how rude, it was Vi, “We can hear you thinking, you need to chill out” she said.
Silco ran a hand over his face, why the fuck could he hear his heart beat?
Silco heard footsteps behind him, a doctor in a white cloak, one he recognised to be one of the lunatics that drugged his son - Silco will find out where he lives and change the locks on his door just to inconvenience the bastard, Vander always called Silco a petty bitch and Silco never denied it - he cleared his throat.
“Thank you for waiting” He looked up from his chart and met Silco’s deadly glare, he gulped, “Councilor’s Kirramen, Salo and Hoskel are all out of surgery, currently recovering, Councilor Talis is still receiving testing and Councilor Bolbok is being reconstructed by specialists”
“Reconstructed?” Jinx whispered to Vi, who only shrugged in response.
“What about Viktor?” Medarda asked, the doctor blinked, “Viktor? Viktor, Viktor, Viktor” He read through his chart, “Last name?”.
“He doesn't have one” Medarda answered, evidently annoyed, “Oh! You mean the trencher boy” The doctor pointed out.
Silco would've punched this guy in the face, but Medarda stepped in, “The who?” She asked, cocking her head to the side.
“The…trencher” The doctor repeated, “Try again” Medarda rolled her eyes.
“...Viktor” The doctor said, “It would do you well to remember the name of one of Piltover’s most influential scientists since its founding, now how is he?”
“I’m presuming your family” The doctor said to Silco, Jinx and Vi, “Closest thing to it” Vi shrugged, the group began walking.
“Viktor, is he ok?” Vi asked.
“You see that's the curiosity, I’ve been reviewing the tren-” He paused, catching Mel’s deadly glare, “Viktor’s file, ehm, and…well…to my understanding he was suffering from terminal illness and was showing no signs of improvement-”
“Get to the point, is he dead or not?” Shoola demanded, clearly sick of this little doctor.
“He's completely fine, I mean…more than fine, healthy even!”
The group stopped.
“Excuse me?” Medarda asked, “His blood tests have all come back better than ever, x rays show the disfigurement in his spine and right leg has cleared up, his blood pressure his at an average level, his oxygen intake is normal, his heart health is more than ideal; if this were any other patient the only thing I would be concerned for would be how underweight he is” The doctor explained.
“How is that even possible, the man was dying three hours ago” Shoola said, “Could it have been the Hexcore?” Mel suggested.
“I have no idea, it's an absolute miracle.”
“Well that's good news then, Vik aint dying anymore” Jinx said, “Precisely what I thought he would say” The doctor said.
“Was he not happy?” Caitlyn asked, “I wouldn't know, he hasn't said a word since testing”.
—-
Vi imagined that if you had spent the last few months, years, decades even, knowing your time was running short and you wouldn't live as long as others, only to then be told you were now expected to make it well past 30. You would be beaming with joy and excitement, celebrating with family, so on so forth.
Not Viktor.
Vi remembered being a kid, and Viktor telling her that his leg didn't work the way her’s did, but it was ok, because he was smart, when he got accepted into the Academy, he told her that maybe topside would have the medicine to help, and if they didn't, he would make it himself.
He would make medicine to heal the Undercity, that's what he would tell her when she was a kid, he would clear the air and waters with science, and Janna would come back and dance in the rivers, she believed him.
Now he sat upright in a hospital bed, IV in one arm, oxygen being fed in through his nose, half his face buried in the arms that wrapped over top his knees, he’d curled in on himself, something she knew he did as a child, blurry memories of those times, curling up in corners and tinkering, or when he slept he would make himself as small as possible.
Old habits die hard.
He didn't talk, which was weird because Vi always remembered him talking about anything, especially if you asked him, science, math, the freaking wooden floors, he just stared at the wall.
She watched through the window, the doctor's words had drowned out, something about ‘mentally distant’ and ‘possibly catatonic, we’re not sure what brought this on’. She didn't know what those words meant, but she thinks that Viktor might be…really super sad.
Vi doesn't know much about Jayce Talis, only the little that Caitlyn had told her when the two made the connection between Jayce and Viktor, story for another day, she’d told Vi how close they both were, how quickly they connected when they started hextech, how happy Jayce seemed when he talked about Viktor, how even when in the depths of his bad health, Viktor still managed a smile for Jayce.
Vi knows Viktor, she knows he’s got a big heart behind little skin and brittle bones, she knows how much he just cares, she can imagine it probably took a while for Viktor to completely open up to Jayce.
Vi had never once seen Viktor cry, never once known the horrors of his life, but watching him cry over Jayce’s body, seeing Silco drag him away while the doctor’s worked, watching him argue in the hospital that no, he couldn't leave Jayce behind, only to then get sedated.
Caitlyn was the one that held Vi back while doctors dragged Viktor down their endless white corridors.
Vi remembered a time before the bridge fight, when Silco was still in their lives, how close he was to Viktor, how he was the one who listened to his science ramblings and helped him build things, he was the one that convinced Viktor to eat and sleep, when Viktor talked about Silco when he left, he had this sad smile on his face.
How quickly Silco sprinted to Viktor’s side to comfort him in that council building, Vi knew, as much as she may have hated Silco, he loved Viktor as though he was his own.
“What do we do?” Medarda asked, Caitlyn had taken Vi’s hand in hers, and Vi looked to Caitlyn first, then Silco.
Silco, who would never admit it but he cared, Silco, who Vi had hardly any memories of before his time as a crime lord, only his kind smiles and fun person, Silco, who saw Viktor as his son and Jinx as his daughter, Silco who had lost time and time again, did that give him the right to become a psychopath? Absolutely not, but the world didn't leave him with much of a choice.
She still hates his evil, shimmer-stained guts, but she loves her brother more.
“He needs his dad” Vi said simply to Silco, who shook his head, “We haven't spoken in years” he said, ah, so he doesn't deny it.
“You seemed to have no problem pulling him from Jayce’s body,” Shoola said.
“That was different” Silco shot back defensively, “The last thing Viktor needs added to his guilty consciousness is the image of his dead friend” he explained.
“Ok I’m gonna put this in simple terms for you” Vi said sternly “Viktor’s life has fallen apart more times then any single person should experience, Janna knows what going through his head right now, but you and I both know hes getting sucked into his own head, finding a way to blame himself, someones gotta pull him out, Jayce isnt here, Viktor has no one else, he needs his fucking dad , so get in there a be a parent” She explained.
For a moment she thought he’d say no, but then Silco turned on his heels and walked straight into that blinding white room, it was almost like he was waiting for her damn blessing or some stupid shit like that.
Silco said his name softly, crime lord businessman long forgotten, Vi is fairly certain that person was left behind at the fucking tea party, that was the first time Viktor looked away from the wall.
There was no anger, no hatred, no confusion or fright, just sadness.
Complete and utter defeat in Viktor’s eyes, Viktor shuffled to the side of the bed, patting the now free space for Silco to come and sit, the man didn't hesitate and wrapped Viktor in his arms.
Vi couldn't tell if Viktor was crying, she couldn't tell if he was speaking, but his shoulder laxed a little and he leant into Silco’s touch, so she could relax a little.
That's when Jinx spoke up, “Do you remember when we were kids, and Viktor would tell us the stories of Janna?” She asked her sister, the politicians looked at the blue haired girl, Vi reminded herself it was a miracle they had not arrested her, probably Cait’s doing.
Vi smiled at the faint memories of a young Powder pleading with a teenage Viktor for the story.
“Yeah” she confessed, noticing the way Jinx’s lips curled upwards as well.
“Remember what he’d say?” Jinx questioned.
“I'm afraid you're going to have to be a bit more specific, tell me, what is the story?” Vi quoted, “You could've at least made an effort with the accent there” Jinx said, Vi laughed, “God no, I just…he would always say it with a smile on his face.”
“That sparkle in his eye, he used to love doing it, at least I hope he loved it, I loved it” Jinx explained. Vi nodded along.
“I remember when he went up to the academy for the first time, I was like… three, maybe four, but I was old enough to know the adults were scared. It was good, ya know, he was getting out, doing some good with that big ol brain of his, but I remember Vander and mum were scared of how topside would see him” Vi explained.
“Do you remember what he told us, when we were all a bit older and questioning him?” Jinx asked the final question, Vi nodded, “The Piltover skies are clear, you can see the stars from the streets, that means Janna can keep an eye on him, look out for him, keep him safe when we’re not there” she recalled the old memory.
Jinx looked out the window to the starry sky, “I know miracles aren't real” Jinx said, “But…maybe Viktor was right, Janna looked out for him when we couldn't, maybe she sent Jayce” she explained, a slight hopefulness in her voice.
Vi wrapped an arm around her sister as they both looked to the stars, “Maybe she did” Vi said, “It's not insane, right?” Jinx asked, “To think that there's some goddess up there, watching over and stuff?” Vi shook her head.
“No, no it's not insane, it's just… a comfort” She explained, “To believe, or to know, that someone is helping out the people you love when you can't”.
—-
‘Where’s Jayce’ was the first thing Viktor said after another ten minutes of silence.
The rest was a blur, walking through the halls, same torn and scorched clothing, guided to where Jayce and the other councilors were.
Viktor vaguely registered with the council talking with doctors.
He was too focused on watching the rise and fall of Jayce’s chest, bandages wrapped over limbs, wires poking into him that looked so wrong, the faint beeping of the heart monitor, the warmth and sunshine that radiated from him usually was long gone, a shadow, a coldness only shrouded around Viktor now.
He felt so alone, Jayce was right there, right in front of him, but he wasn't smiling, or laughing, or chewing the side of his lip when figuring out a particularly difficult equation, he wasn't looking at Viktor with that absolute love and adoration, Viktor hovered a hand over Jayce’s.
Cold.
Not like the ones that wrapped around him and kept him safe, but not cold like the hands that hurt him as a child, nor like the hands that held him against metal tables as strange things flowed into his blood.
It was more like the hands of his father when Viktor awoke to a corpse next to him, the hands that haunted him in his nightmares where he would wake in a cold sweat and gasping breaths.
The first time he’d ever woken from a nightmare after he and Jayce had started dating. When Viktor told him how his father died in his sleep and now he had this irrational fear of people dying with their eyes closed, and Jayce wrapped his arms around Viktor, his warmth strong enough to push back those fears in his mind, pressing Viktor’s head against his chest so he could hear his heartbeat.
It was comforting, so damn comforting, Viktor didn't know that's what he needed, but Jayce did.
If Viktor could hear it, then it wouldn't go away, he knew logically that wasn't true, but it was good enough to quell his anxiety.
I know you don't sleep much, but if you ever think that something will happen to me, just lay right here, I won't be angry about it, whatever you need to calm that wonderful head of yours.
That's what Jayce said that night.
It took a couple weeks for Viktor to take him up on it, but one night it just got too much, and Viktor laid his head against Jayce’s chest, the sound of the heartbeat lulled him to sleep until he awoke hours later with a hand in his hair, and light kisses pressed to his head.
Viktor had never felt so damn loved.
He heard someone call his name, his head felt like cotton, nothing else but the fear Jayce’s heart would just stop randomly with no other warning, he curled up at Jayce’s side, head pressed against his chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
He didn't hear anything, he vaguely saw the light fade outside then rise again, he was in some strange state between consciousness and sleep, when the sun blared through the windows Viktor snapped out his whatever state his mind had dropped into.
Jayce is still comatosed.
His legs walked on their own accord, away from the blinding lights and sanitation, outside, Viktor registered tears, maybe he wiped them with his hands, flashing cameras and questions from paparazzi, he walked right through them like he was a ghost, and found himself in the lab.
Staring at the Hexcore.
—-
Cassandra remembered the first time she heard about Viktor.
Seventeen years ago, Sheriff Grayson - or at the time Officer Grayson - was talking with Cassandra, catching up over dinner, they were old school friends, they did this every now and then.
Grayson was telling her about this group of people from the Undercity, a radical group that sought change in their home. Two of these men ran a bar, where they would spread the words of revolution and rebellion against Piltover, seeking independence and allyship from the city of progress.
The sheriff spoke about a child, 11 years old, a limp leg, yet a brilliant mind.
The two men briefly explained to Grayson that the boy was the son of some old friends.
Old dead friends, the two had taken it upon themselves to care for him.
Grayson spoke about this mysterious child a lot, eventually she got a name; Viktor, she told Cassandra how there was a look in his eyes, the look of a shell shocked soldier, the kind of look no child should ever bare, yet there was also some small glint, a spark, of curiosity, wonder, discovery.
He’s hurt, it's clear as day, he's lost people and clearly people have hurt him, he's not the most trusting, but there's something about him Cas, I can't quite describe it, not like a childish wonder, but a urge to seek discovery, to change the world, I tell you now, that's exactly what he’s going to do.
How do you know? Cassandra had asked
I doubt he’ll let anyone or anything get in his way, he’s passionate, persevering, he is not one to bow down and listen.
He’ll change the world, whether they want him to or not.
Two years later, Grayson told her this child was accepted into the academy by Heimerdinger himself, seven years later he was made assistant to the dean, a year after that he made magic through science.
And that was when Cassandra finally met him, and she understood what her late friend had said.
A sliver of loss and pain in his eyes, evidently such pain is something he’s learnt to shove down and hide, and he did it well, for Cassandra saw the eyes of a determined man, who would stop at nothing to change the world, even when he tethering at the edge of his grave, Viktor worked and spoke with determination like no other, he was young, only 22 at the time Hextech started, Cassandra wondered how much he had seen, the way he viewed the world, perhaps she should have asked.
Now, that man leant against his desk, glaring at the Hexcore, that determination long gone, sorrow and sadness left in its wake, it had only been a day since the explosion, Viktor had spent the night at Jayce’s room, Cassandra saw the paparazzi pictures in the news.
SECOND HALF OF HEXTECH DISTRAUGHT AFTER BOMBING AT COUNCIL
JAYCE TALIS STILL IN HOSPITAL, HOW IS HIS PARTNER HANDLING THIS?
UNDERGROUND COUNTERPART OF HEXTECH SEEN CRYING AFTER LEAVING THE HOSPITAL
CO-FOUNDER OF HEXTECH LEFT IN TEARS AFTER TALIS HOSPITALIZATION.
Not even to mention what these articles wrote.
Co-founder of hextech seen leaving the hospital the morning following the bomb at the council, sources say the Zaunite who was once riddled with terminal illness and unable to move without a crutch has supposedly been cured through experimentation at Hextech, its believed this same technology saved the lives of the councilors.
Sources suggest the council's survival is thanks to new technology from Hextech created by Jayce Talis’s Zaunite partner, no comment at this time.
Then more pictures they'd obtained…somehow.
Hextech partner, seen crying over Jayce’s dead body, a man identified to be Silco - Chem lord and proclaimed leader of the Undercity - dragged him away from Talis’ body, sources suggest Silco to be of paternal relation to Viktor.
Which lead to even more titles
SHOULD WE HAVE EVER TRUSTED A TRENCHER WITH OUR PROGRESS?
VIKTOR; JUST A MAN, OR HEIR TO THE UNDERGROUND’S LEADERSHIP
WHO THE F*CK EVEN IS VIKTOR?
And those articles were no better, but that was beside the point, the rest of the council quietly walked into the lab, also joined by the Zaunites and Caitlyn.
Viktor was wearing a loose red jumper with a collar too wide (that jumper seemed awfully familiar) black slacks and shoes, his eyes were red rimmed from tears, the blue glow of the runic creation was bouncing from his pale skin, it thrummed with power.
He didn't seem to be thinking, Cassandra knew the look of a man lost in thought, this was the look of a man lost in his mind.
“Gods, I thought you said he was cured” Salo said to Mel, “Physically he's completely fine, but emotionally and mentally” She trailed off.
“So what do we do?” Shoola asked, “I have my men searching every end of Zaun, but it will take time, especially with the enforcers everywhere and the doctor being a…” Silco explained, trailing off attempting to find the right words.
“I was leaning closer to alchemical bottom-feeder with a God complex but I suppose that works,” Silco agreed.
“I’m working on pulling the enforcers out, but it’s going to take time. I’m doing everything I can,” Caitlyn said, trying to keep her tone steady.
“Understandable,” Silco replied. “Your people are crawling over every inch of the Undercity, and no matter how careful we are, unrest is inevitable.”
He leaned forward slightly, voice low. “We’re losing ground. The shimmer factories are being taken one by one. We need more hands before it all collapses.”
“I might know a guy” Vi said, “Matter of fact, you know the guy” She turned to Jinx, the blue haired girl seemed perplexed for a moment…until.
“Ekko? Are you serious?” Jinx asked, “He's got a whole army of eyes on hoverboards, and he's been trying to stop the shimmer factories for years, win-win situation!” Vi said.
“Didn't he nearly kill you?” Silco asked Jinx, “No, that was actually my bombs, he got close though!” she smiled proudly.
“You barely survived” Silco scoffed, “Yes, yes, thank you for your valiant efforts to save my sorry ass, but unfortunately, sister dearest is correct” Jinx said.
“I'll find him, see if I can get him to agree” Vi said, “I’m sorry, are we just going to let a gang of ruffians run around looking for this guy?” Salo asked.
“Your right, we don't want the enforcers in our city, but we have to work together” Jinx said with a sly smile, the council just collectively sighed.
“Well second pressing matter, Hextech” Salo whispered, motioning over to Viktor, still staring at the Hexcore.
“Until Jayce is conscious and cognitive, Viktor’s incharge” Mel explained, “Oh great! So we're hunting down a psychotic doctor, partnering with the chem lord of the Undercity, and Piltover's greatest technology is in the hand of a trencher! Not just any trencher, a mentally defective one! That's just amazing” Salo explained.
“Salo, if you're going to insult me do it somewhere else” Viktor called out, everyone’s necks practically snapped turning to face him, it was the first time he’d spoken since the meeting.
“Seriously, I don't have it in me to listen to your insults, and prejudice, and overall bitchy attitude, please, do it somewhere else” He said, running a hand over his face and neck.
He moved from the desk and grabbed a small green potted plant, placing it next to the Hexcore, the blue tendrils latched onto the plants stem, thrumming power until it grew taller and larger, once the tendrils left.
Nothing.
Nothing happened.
Viktor groaned, and slammed his hand on the table “Fuck!” He yelled out.
“Isn't that…good?” Vi asked tentatively.
“Oh its great” Viktor said, clearly not excited, enthused, even happy about the fact, “Its marvellous, spectacular, fantastic, fucking fantastic!” He exclaimed, he turned away from the desk and started pacing in small steps, back and forth.
“It can heal injuries, cure terminal illness, save the dead, exactly what it was meant to do, we stand here now, some of us were meant to be dead, yet we are fine, all thanks to this” He pointed to the Hexcore, “This absolutely impossible creation that harbours the power of infinity”.
“But” Mel asked, “But I don't know how” Viktor sighed, putting both hands back on the table where the creation sat.
“Last week, that wasn't happening” Viktor motioned to the thriving plant, then to another one in the corner of the room, tall, black, droopy, dead.
“That was” he said.
“Yesterday I was dying, I couldn't move without a crutch, I needed those damn braces” He said, motioning to the metal contraptions that had once been a part of his body, now laid on the desk, you could see the wear in the metals, were bolts had been tightened the indent in the leather straps from where they were fastened.
“I couldn't breathe” He continued, “Now I can walk freely on my own two legs, the disease that fused with my blood has ceased to exist, I have never been healthier!” He called out into the room.
“Viktor” Silco said, “It doesn't make any sense! The doctors called it a miracle, miracles don't exist in medicine!” Viktor continued to explain, “I was dead, in that room, Jayce was dead, half of us were dead, and this thing, changed the course of nature, changed what was supposed to happen.”
“You sound upset about that” Salo scoffed, “Dude” Jinx snarled at him, “I'm not upset” Viktor laughed, almost manically.
“I'm alive, I'm happy about that, I'm going to live well past thirty, this is good, it's amazing” He said, with no real joy behind the statement.
“But” Silco questioned, “But how come I'm the one that's fine and he's in a coma?” Viktor asked.
Silence.
“It's a simple question” He said, walking over to a clean blackboard with a piece of chalk, and started drawing “two men caught in an explosion, one who's lived in perfect health his whole life, works in the forge, eats and sleeps well, worst he's ever had is an ear infection” Viktor explained, drawing a figure that resembled Jayce, “the other grew up in poverty, not enough nutritions to help growth, born with a defective leg and spent the first 13 years of his life breathing toxic air, hes diagnosed with a terminal illness and has months to live” He explained, drawing a second figure.
The council's eyes widened.
“Now they're in this great big room when a psychotic doctor, who sends a giant bomb flying their way” He draws something that resembles a large bomb, and an arrow into a large circle that the two figures were caught in.
“Rubble, ash, fire, smoke, impact, the two people die ” He says, “bomb plus room plus people equals dead!” He drew a giant X over the people, then rubbed it out. Turning to the council to continue his lecture.
“However, an unexpected variable known as ‘magic’ has now entered the equation, and brings all the dead back to life, one would presume the cripple would need extra recovery time, but no! Hes completely fucking fine, while the man of excellent health is in a coma!” He explained erratically with wild hand gestures.
“So now there are more questions than answers, why is the Hexcore working now ? Was there some kind of alignment in the stars? some sort of specific runic configuration at the time? was mercury in fucking retrograde ? or maybe it was something else, maybe it was Janna pulling all the strings?” He continued, running a hand through his hair and taking a deep breath to calm himself.
“But you're right Salo, at least I’m alive ,” Viktor said, with a forced smile.
“Now get ready to make it everyone else’s problem” Jinx said with a smile, Viktor looked at her confused.
“Your right, you survived, all that shit and you came out on top, if you wanna believe it was Janna then be my guest, but your the one that's standing here with ‘ the manifestation of infinity ’, never once have I known you to shy away from an opportunity to cause chaos, your angry, and upset, and pissed, ya got every right to be, so make that everyone else's problem” She said, walking up to Viktor until they were face to face.
“I’m sick of surviving” Viktor said simply, “I’m tired of fighting, the council, my illness, the doctor, I'm done with all of it” He said, turning back to the Hexcore and putting his hands against the table again.
“I don't want to cause chaos, I just want my life to work out in my favour for once ” Viktor explained.
“My head is in a thousand different places. It always has been. I can't organize my own thoughts some days.” Viktor’s voice wavered, and he pressed his fingers to his temples. “Jayce was the one person who made everything make sense. Now he’s not here and everything’s - everything’s falling apart.” He bowed his head, voice thinning into a whisper. “And I’m just... here. Expected to keep everything going. Like I didn’t just lose the only person who ever looked at me and saw something more than what I was built to be.”
A silence settled over the room—heavy, respectful, and painful.
Vi cleared her throat gently, then spoke up, soft but decisive. “Cait... why don’t you and I go find Ekko, see if we can get him to listen?” She gave Caitlyn a small nod, then turned to Jinx and Silco. “You two should head back to the other Chem Barons. Explain the situation to them before they start making up their own version of it.”
Her tone wasn’t unkind—it was grounding, practical, the way she offered Viktor a moment to breathe without making him feel weak for needing it.
“We may need a representative from Piltover” Silco said, “I’ll go” Mel said, Silco seemed tentative to trust her.
Viktor spoke up, “Mel was the first to vote for the peace treaty” he said, “She's good at negotiation and isn't war hungry, she's probably the best option to go with you” He explained half heartedly.
The Zaunites and Mel left the room, “Well I don't want to hang in this depression room any longer, I have work to do” Salo said, leaving, probably a good thing, leaving Councilors Hoskel, Shoola, Bolbok and Cassandra herself.
“I’ll catch up with you three later” Cassandra said, the other three councilors needed no further push to leave.
Cassandra walked up beside Viktor.
“You know how Jayce always hated the cold?” She asked, as Viktor was sifting through papers of data and equations, “Each time winter came around, I would buy him a new jumper” she explained, Viktor stopped sifting through the papers.
“I was unaware he was loaning them out to his boyfriend” She said with a kind smile, and Viktor froze, turned to face Cassandra, then turned away, as though ashamed.
“How long?” Viktor asked, “I suspected the two of you held feelings for eachother for a while, to be entirely honest I thought the two of you were far too scared to say anything” Cassandra explained, Viktor huffed a laugh.
“How long?” She repeated his earlier question, he straightened up, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning his hip against the counter while facing her, “Seven months” he smiled.
“Why not tell anyone? Knowing Jayce it would-”
“Eat him from the inside out” Viktor finished her sentence, she nodded, “We have an image and reputation to uphold, for the sake of Hextech, for Jayce's sake, what would people say if their beloved golden boy was dating a…a trencher” He didn't dare meet her in the eyes, shame hanging over him like a cloud.
“I'm sorry, I understand you're his patron, and I’m definitely not what you had in mind for a suitable partner but-” Gods above he was apologising.
“Viktor” Cassandra interrupted, putting a hand on his shoulder, “Don't you dare ever apologise for being in love” she said firmly.
“If the people of Piltover can't accept that you are the man that won Jayce’s heart, then that is their issue” She explained.
“Nobody can know” he said simply, “Your secret is safe with me, I promise” Cassandra assured, moving her hand away from his shoulder, he bowed his head down.
“I don't know what to do” Viktor confessed, “I believe your…sister, is somewhat in the truth” Cassandra said, “Your a brilliant man Viktor, and Piltover is yet to recognize that, make them recognize it, lead Hextech in Jayce’s absence, prove that Hextech is two minds not just one, help the people of your home”.
“The council won't approve” Viktor said, “In time, but for now, you have the complete support of House Kirramen” Viktor’s head flashed up.
“Are you- what ?” He asked, “Hextech may not have always had our support, but once you had it, I’ve never been given a reason to take it” she explained, “And I hate to be the bearer of the sorry truth, but if you are to take on the role of leader of Hextech, you are right, Piltovian society is out against you, your going too needed all the patronage and support you can get” She explained.
“I suspected there was something political in your motives” Viktor sighed, “There is also the fact that Jayce would be enraged at me if I was to pull my support from you now” Cassandra said, Viktor laughed.
“He is incredibly protective of you” she said, “I’ve noticed” he smiled, Cassandra turned to leave.
“Mrs Kirramen” Viktor called out, she turned her head just as she was about to walk out the door.
“Vi has a heart of pure gold” he started, “she's always been fiercely protective, and loving, and trusting, I assure you, your daughter is in excellent hands” Viktor explained.
Cassandra felt a weight lift from her shoulders, “Thank you, Viktor”.