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Chapter Text

"Well, that should be everything." Jayce huffs as he closes his steamer trunk full of things to take back home, "Ready to go?" 

Viktor sits at his desk, writing out a few more equations before he would accompany his friend out of the academy. He grabs his cane and pushes himself out of the chair, "Let's go."

Jayce goes through his mental checklist as they walk through the academy halls, saying their 'goodbyes' and 'see you soons' and 'have a nice holidays' to other students also on their way out. He looks at Viktor who greets the others politely albeit quietly and sighs. He knows Viktor won't be going anywhere for the break and will probably spend all of it in the lab even though he "promised" to take it easy for the two weeks classes were suspended. 

"I can smell the smoke from your ears Jayce." Viktor laughs, "What's on your mind?"

"Are you really going to be okay? By yourself?"

The smaller man waves his hand dismissively, "Of course. Maybe with some peace and quiet I can get work done." There's a joking tone to his voice but Jayce knows there's truth to the statement. 

"I'm serious, you won't have me there to drag you off to the lunch hall every day." He looks at his friend, eyes hardened with concern.

"I'll be fine." 

They reach the courtyard where the Kiramman family is waiting with a carriage to their estate. Jayce only shakes his head and sighs.

"If you say so Viktor. Have a nice holiday." He pats his friend on the shoulder and walks off to meet his patron family. 

You're in the middle of removing dead flowers from the vases in the main entrance when your employers arrive. Several other servants head out to greet the family and help switch over the young Talis boy's belongings to a carriage to take him to his mother. 

You watch through the window as the Kirammans walk to the entrance and quickly shove the dead flowers in your basket.

"Welcome home." You smile and bow to the family. When you raise your head you see Jayce looking at you with a big dumb grin. The kind of grin he got when he had an idea that only he thought would work. 

"Oh no" you think and just hold the smile.

While the family goes upstairs, Jayce hangs back then drapes a large muscular arm over your shoulder and corrals you away.

"You know my friend Viktor, right?" He asks quietly, like it's some kind of world endingly important thing.

"Yeah, you only talk about him all the time." You roll your eyes and lightly elbow his ribs. 

"And you and I have been friends for how long? Three? Four years now?" 

"Mhmm." You hum, not sure where this conversation was going.

"And you've always wanted to see the academy." He leans in even closer, cheek pressing to yours.

"Spit it out Talis."

"So Viktor is really bad at taking care of himself that he usually eats maybe once a day and sleeps in the lab at times. I was wondering if you could keep an eye on him? Perhaps as a...personal assistant?" He gives you that dumb grin again. 

"I feel like there are several issues here." You glare back at him.

"It's just for two weeks! It gets you out of the estate for a bit and you get to see the academy! Y'know, the place you always talk about wanting to see!" He squeezes your shoulder tightly, "Besides I'm certain mister and missus Kiramman wouldn't mind!" 

"If you can convince them. Then sure." You sigh. Confident that you wouldn't be able to leave your post especially since Gilda just had a baby and would be home for a few months and Nol had to leave on account his mother was found collapsed in her house. 

You certainly weren't going anywhere.

The carriage bumps back down the road to the academy. The sun is now setting behind the city skyline with dark winter storm clouds rolling in. 

"I can't believe they said yes." You grumble, still picturing Jayce's smug-ass face when he helped load your bags into the carriage.

" Don't worry! I'm sure you and Viktor will get along great!"

While he is a very caring and doting friend, he's also very oblivious when it comes to people's feelings at times. But you also know from how he talks about his friend from school that he only wants what's best.

Unfortunately you don't know much else about this Viktor except that he uses a cane or a crutch on bad days, has an accent, and is thin as a rail. By the sounds of it he may as well be some 80 year old man from how Jayce described him. 

When you arrive at the front steps of the academy there are hardly any students remaining. You stare up at the building and admire how it seems to touch the sky, which is fitting for an establishment that has produced some of the greatest thinkers of all time. However you have no time to get lost in your thoughts, you technically have a job to do and the sooner you can find Jayce's currently vacant dorm the sooner you can look for Viktor and see how rough your next two weeks will be.

The interior of the academy is even more amazing than you imagined. Ceilings so high you have to crane your neck back to see the top, lights warm and soft that make everything glow, and bright marble floors shiny enough to show your reflection. Oh what a dream it would be to help design such a building. 

Focus.

Right, dorms, find Viktor. You look at the map Jayce drew for you.

It doesn't make any sense.

Great.

"Excuse me? Do you need some help?" An accented voice calls from behind. You turn around to see a rather handsome man approaching you, his cane and footfalls echoing in the large room. 

"Actually yes, ah, sir. I was sent here by mister Jayce Talis to look after his friend here. His name is…" You take a better look at the man. 

Cane. Accent. Thin as a rail.

" Yes? " He smirks and motions for you to continue.

"Viktor, who I can only assume is you." 

"That would be correct. You said Jayce sent you?" You see his amber eyes scan you up and down, clearly trying to get a better picture. 

You nod, "Yes sir. I work for the Kiramman family. I helped Mr. Talis set up his room when he first came to the estate and he has been my friend ever since." 

Viktor strokes his chin as he listens to you, occasionally nodding, "I see, I see, Jayce definitely has that sort of charismatic charm. So I'm assuming he sent you here to check in on me?"

"Yes sir." 

Viktor furrows his brow at the way you address him.

"Very well. I doubt he'll want me to send you back," he turns on a heel and heads back the way he came, not waiting for you to follow, "however I am more than capable of taking care of myself. So if you want, feel free to have your own holiday of sorts." 

He leads you through the halls lined with clearly marked dormitories. A few students who hadn't left for the break are meandering around, occasionally saying hello. 

"Knowing Jayce he probably offered his dorm to you to use. Did he give you a key?"

"Yes sir." 

Viktor stiffens at your response, "Please. Just Viktor is fine." His voice is tinged with malice. Your stomach drops, not even five minutes have passed and you've upset him.

The two of you arrive at a door with a small plate engraved with Jayce's name. You take the key from your pocket and unlock the door. 

"Breakfast gets served around 7 in the morning. Have a good evening." 

And with that, Viktor is off once more.

You close the door and drop your bag. From how Jayce described his friend you were expecting someone a lot softer and kind, not borderline grouchy and rude. Whatever, you'll check on him in the morning and see just how bad Viktor is at taking care of himself. Right now you need to unpack and get situated with the room if you were to live here for the break.

Chapter Text

You awake the next morning before the sun fully rises and pull out your work clothes for the day. Your current plan is to evaluate Viktor's schedule and needs so you can work around them accordingly, he may be the kind of person who wouldn't want to see you working or he may be the type who likes company. Either way you've worked for long enough to know how to tailor your attitude to get the best results.

However when you go to the dining hall to look for Viktor at breakfast, he is nowhere to be found. Even worse was when you asked another student where he could be all you got was a laugh and a "You're not from here huh?" Apparently, even though Viktor was the Dean's assistant he was hardly seen anywhere around the school except for classes and the labs. 

You ask where the labs are and one of the students points you in the correct direction. 

These hallways are less ornate and more industrial, clearly to withstand any accidents that could happen. Most of the lab doors are closed and dark, but at the end of the hall you see a set of stairs descending lower into the academy with a faint blue glow shining on the floor. 

"Well, Jayce did say Viktor loved to work." You sigh and carefully walk down the stairs. 

What you see is a rather unfortunate sight. Viktor is slumped back in a chair, book in one hand, pencil in the other, his hair is all kinds of disheveled, and his cane has toppled over. There is a certain peace about him that almost makes you smile until you realize that his back is going to be killing him as soon as he wakes up and you aren't even sure if he ate dinner.

You sigh and shake your head, it definitely isn't the first time you've had to wake someone up and you know it won't be the last. 

"Viktor?" You call as you approach, but he doesn't move. You say his name a little louder but all he does is snort a little and close his mouth.

"Viktor, sir, it's time to wake up." You gently shake his shoulder and he jolts awake with another snort. 

"Wh...what are you doing here?" He sleepily looks up at you.

"Waking you up sir. Like I was told to do." You slip back into your service voice, a tone much softer and kinder. 

Viktor yawns and looks around at the lab, blinking a few times, "Right, right, well thank you." His eyes lock with yours and you can see the exhaustion that still lingers. Perhaps Jayce was right and his friend really did need your help. 

"Have you eaten?" You grab his cane off the floor and lean it on the worktable. Viktor shuffles some papers back together and picks up his pen.

“Not hungry.” He says already getting back to work. There’s a pain in your chest that tells you he definitely hasn’t eaten since yesterday, and doesn’t seem too keen on getting food now. 

But after all, that’s why Jayce sent you.

“I’ll leave you to your work then.” You bow your head and walk out the door. As soon as you’re in the hallway you make a mad dash back to the dining hall, fearing that anything nice and fresh may be gone by now.

Luckily there is still plenty of fruit and breakfast pastries for you to take as well as several bags of tea. Some of the students give you weird glances when you mumble yourself through a list of various ingredients that aren’t being served. When you’re satisfied with the array of foods you’ve collected, you head back to the lab.

You get the feeling you’ll be making this run a lot in the future.

Viktor hasn’t moved since you left him, which was only ten or twenty minutes ago, and barely acknowledges you when you come back into the room. 

“I brought you something.” You announce softly, as if speaking any louder would disturb the atmosphere. You place down a plate with slices of apple and orange next to a glass of water. Viktor just hums and mindlessly grabs a slice of fruit which makes you smile. 

Okay, so he’ll eat if you put it in front of him . You mentally check that off.

“I also brought some turnovers and croissants that I’m going to leave over here okay?” You place the tray on another table, one without any papers on it. Viktor just hums again. 

You spend the rest of the morning planning out your own schedule for the next two weeks, at least the meals for it. If Viktor didn’t want to leave the lab, who were you to make him? Some people thrived in solitude from your experience, and it would allow you some of your own time to decompress from work. While the Kirammans were easily one of your nicer employers, it felt good to take time off and not worry about the repercussions. You look over at Jayce’s closet and notice one of the academy’s vests is hung on the knob. Your heart lurches, knowing that perhaps if your situation had been better you could have been here too. The whispers of your past swirl in the back of your mind but you shake it off. 

There are more important things for you to worry about.

When 1 o’clock rolls around you make your way back to the lab to see how Viktor is doing. At first glance, he’s gone. At second glance, he’s laying on a dolley under some large…thing. You look over where you left the pastries and notice they’re untouched, then you look over at the workbench and most of the fruit slices are still there. 

“Oh boy.” You sigh and rub your head. This was going to be harder than you thought.

“Hey, Viktor?” You carefully walk around the large object  to where Viktor’s feet are sticking out. You can hear him talking to himself between the sounds of hammering.

“Viktor!” You shout. 

“Wh-” He rolls out from his spot, “Oh, hello there…” He purses his lips in thought, “I don’t think you told me your name.”

“It’s Cyril. Some people call me Cy.” 

“Nice to meet you.” He reaches for one of his other tools, grabs it, then rolls back under.

You sigh and drop your head. You’ve met people who are absolutely uninterested in knowing you, but this takes the cake. Jayce always talked about how witty and sharp his partner was, but by all of your accounts he seemed…rude. 

“It’s lunchtime, are you going to eat?”

“I already ate.”

“A few fruit slices isn’t enough.”

No answer. It’s almost like he knows you’re right, but doesn’t want to admit it.

“Viktor.”

“I’m busy, I’ll eat when I get this done.”

“And when will that be?”

Another silence.

“Viktor?”

“An hour or so.” He goes back to hammering. 

It takes longer than an hour and the calm afternoon turns into an even quieter evening. You’ve taken to sweeping around the lab, straightening papers, collecting the dozens of shop rags that have been tossed about. When Viktor finally decides that he’s done for the day, it’s past midnight. Your head aches from trying to piece together a new plan on what exactly to do. As tempting as it feels to just leave him to his own devices, you know this is still technically part of your job and you will be damned if you give up that easily. You walk with him from the lab and quickly learn that his own dorm is not too far from the one you are staying in. 

“Okay…So, Jayce was right when he said Viktor was stubborn. But everyone has something, that one thing that can get them to hesitate.” You say to the air and pace around, “Food definitely doesn’t seem to be it, alcohol? Maybe? If he’s the Dean’s assistant then he probably isn’t into anything too hard…” You plop down on the bed and fall back. 

Unless .

Chapter Text

You're up at six am on the dot with a wicked idea in your head. From your observations, Viktor would eat if presented with food, but not consistently. He seemed to get easily distracted, but what if you were the distraction?

You take extra care in combing out your hair that morning, making sure that you had no flyaway hairs sticking up. You've worked to cater to hundreds of dozens of people over your young life that a small stunt like this doesn't affect you anymore, especially since the end result is getting Viktor to eat instead of…

You shake your head to toss off the thought.

Not today. You have work, you can dwell on the past later.

Viktor is back in the lab at six in the morning with a mug of overly sweet coffee in hand. He takes a seat in the armchair he has tucked away in a corner with his journal. Yesterday was strange to say the least, he’s never had a personal attendant like most of his colleagues did. What was the proper etiquette? Should he have corrected you when you called him “sir”? Should he try to get to know you better? You were only here for the break, and then he would never see you again. Viktor did feel bad about being so short with you, but he was on a roll with his work without Jayce interrupting him. 

Jayce…Oh gods! Jayce hired you to help out! And Viktor was turning that away! Would you get in trouble? Definitely not with Jayce but perhaps with your employers? Would you get fired? He would just explain to you, better this time. Perhaps give you some tasks to keep busy if you needed something to do. Maybe a book? Wait, could you read?

He flips to an empty page in his journal and begins writing furiously, creating a list of tasks he could have you do that would keep you just busy enough but not be too strenuous. Sweeping the lab, organizing bolts, washing the growing pile of oily shop rags, simple labor to keep you in routine. Viktor only stops when he hears the lab doors open then shut.

"Viktor? Are you in?" Your voice echoes in the room.

"Yes! Yes I am. Good morning." Viktor peeks around the corner, he looks decently rested compared to the other day.

"I brought you breakfast. I've got apples, oatmeal, biscuits, I might run to the market today to pick up sausage if you're interested." You walk over to the little alcove and notice the cozy set up going on. Small paper prototypes are pinned to a board with notes taped around them, there's a small round table with a lamp and an old worn in armchair where Viktor has seated himself with a journal.

"Thank you." Viktor looks up and feels his breath hitch. You've got on a nice fitted shirt with the sleeves rolled up to your elbows, suspenders hold up your pants and hug your torso. You hold out the tray of food with a short gloved hand then place it on the table when you realize Viktor is staring.

Bingo . 

"You should eat the oatmeal soon, it will get cold." You find a stool and take a seat next to Viktor, who's eyes keep darting from you to the food to the walls. He hums and nods then takes the bowl and digs in, you take your own biscuit and cup of coffee and eat as well. 

Viktor can't help but take glances between every few bites of food, trying to pinpoint what changed between now and last night. Did you look so put together yesterday? Had he been so involved in his work to not even take time to look at you? Gods, maybe Jayce was right. He watches as your eyes flicker to his and you flash a warm smile at him.

His heart stops for a second.

"Is it good? I tried adding a little extra brown sugar since Jayce told me you like things sweet." You mention before taking another sip of coffee.

"It's excellent." 

"Great! Next time I can put some fruit in it too." You take an apple slice and bite slowly, deliberately. You watch Viktor's gaze fixate on your jaw, but don't draw attention to his staring. He takes his own slice and bites down, still curiously transfixed. You can tell he's studying you from the feeling of his gaze traveling over you makes your stomach flutter, he munches down a few more slices of apple before speaking again.

"So what exactly did Jayce send you to do? I have an idea but I want to make sure." 

You set your mug down and place your hands in your lap, "Mr. Talis informed me that while you are brilliant, he worries about your...obsessive work schedule. He simply wants me to make sure that you eat and sleep on schedule. Plus any other duties you may want done." 

Viktor ponders that for a moment, "What can you do?"

You perk up and smile brightly, "I can cook, clean, shop, take notes, write letters, run simple calculations, care for children, care for the elderly, would you like me to write a list?"

Viktor's expression becomes...unreadable. His amber eyes grow cold and you get the feeling you've said something wrong.

"Viktor?" You place a hand on his arm, drawing his attention once more.

"Oh, sorry, I was just lost in thought. How long have you worked as a housekeeper?”

“Ten years…I think.” There’s a pause and Viktor says nothing, “But enough about me! I’m not an interesting person!”

You grab the last apple slice and hold it out to him to take. He does, but doesn't take his calculating gaze off you. 

"You're plenty interesting." 

There's a short, awkward, silence.

"Well!" Viktor announces as he gets up, "Thank you very much for breakfast Mr.Cyril, you're welcome to stay in the lab if you like. If you need to keep busy, I noticed you piled up the shop rags. Would it be alright if you gave them a quick wash? If they're too damaged just toss them." He collects his cane and walks back into the main area of the lab to start his work for the day.

And that's how you end up elbow deep in soapy water, scrubbing the oil and grease out of dozens of rags. You don't mind it, in fact you've positioned yourself so that you can keep an eye on Viktor and also glance at the clock. He talks to himself as he works through equations, explaining the theory behind his current formula. You don't understand half the words he's saying, but his passion is admirable and his voice is hypnotic that you find yourself stopping your work and watching him write. 

His focus is intense and you notice how when he stops, obviously stumped, he'll twirl a strand of hair and bite his bottom lip. A small ember of...something...begins to burn inside you. So gently, subtly, you don't notice it. 

You look up at the clock. It's five minutes past noon. You look over at Viktor, he's still stuck on whatever he's working on.

Time for another break.

You dump your bucket of water down the drain and push the hair out of your face. In a smooth motion you slide next to the scientist and place a hand on his shoulder. Viktor startles a little and looks over at you.

"You've been stuck on whatever this is for the past half hour. I was planning on going out to the market to get some ingredients for dinner and perhaps find a spot for lunch?" You slowly slide your hand off his shoulder and down his back. 

"I-I should, uh, I mean…" he scrambles for words, cheeks slightly flushed. 

"It'll only be an hour. Besides, being outside might help clear your head." You smile gently.

"Of course, right, I suppose I can take a break." He looks away, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Excellent! I'm going to grab my coat, you should too. It's cold out there!" You give Viktor a pat on the back and head out of the lab, smiling to yourself. 

Chapter Text

Viktor makes sure his scarf is wrapped tight enough to keep the cold winter chill off his neck before meeting you outside his dorm. You have a sturdy basket hooked in your elbow and a list in your hand, you greet him with a smile and get on your way to the dockside markets. Viktor keeps a steady pace next to you, the sound of his cane tapping with every step. The sky outside is full of gray clouds that are heavy with snow. The winds are a biting kind of cold that Viktor knows will sink into his bones and ache later.

He glances over at you, trying to get some sort of read on what you may have been thinking. Your overly friendly actions during breakfast did not go unnoticed. Viktor was no stranger to being flirted with, however it generally came from women who—while kind and attractive—he had no real interest in. This unfortunately also came with some scathing rumors that he saw himself too smart to court anyone, or that he was lacking in some departments, both wildly untrue but Viktor let the people think whatever they wished. It didn't affect him. 

However your behavior did. There was something in the way you carried yourself this morning that kept him distracted. An air of confidence that reflected in how you spoke and even how you practically fed him. Viktor could feel his cheeks flush, but not from the cold. Perhaps he should ask? Would that make you stop? It probably would. Maybe a few more meals spent with you hanging around so close wouldn't be so bad. Giving him the attention he wished he didn't crave. He tries to recall the feeling of your gloved hand on his that he doesn’t notice you have stopped and now calling his name.

“Viktor!”

He trips a little when he stops and looks back at you. You’re standing under the awning of one of the fishermen and inspecting the daily catch. He watches as you dig through some clams and pluck out the larger ones, when you make your purchase Viktor notices your face go from a friendly smile to an uncomfortable grimace. As soon as the proper coin is exchanged you dart off back to him, face still contorted in displeasure.

“Remind me not to go to that stall again…” You glance once more over your shoulder and shudder.

“Were they rude?” Viktor places a hand on your shoulder.

“In a way,” You adjust your coat and keep moving, “He used an…unappreciated name.”

Viktor is not quite sure what you mean by that but doesn’t say anything, instead opting to fall back into step with you. The both of you make a few more stops, for fruit, milk, flour, sugar, butter, spices, vegetables, an array of ingredients that looked more than enough to last a week. Conversation between the two of you is light, with no real interesting topics to follow. So you’ve worked for the Kiramman’s for how long? Oh, Jayce said you were from the Undercity, my mother was from there. You rescued a frog once, and tried to keep it? Jayce says you’re a fan of sweets, what kind? By now flurries have started to fall from the clouds and Viktor is beginning to lag behind, his knee starting to ache. You notice his gait becoming uneven and his eyes screw shut in pain. You slow to a stop and motion Viktor to a bench.

“Take a seat, you look pained.”

He nods and almost falls onto the seat with a groan. He rubs his bad leg and sighs.

“I shouldn’t have kept us out this long, I’m sorry.” You look down at your feet.

“Not at all! I should have paid more attention to my body.” Viktor sighs, a cloud of vapor puffs from his lips. 

“Well I have the necessities, I can get the rest of my things tomorrow. Can you make it to the trolley station?”

He nods, “I think I can.”

You help him to his feet and wrap an arm around the back of his waist, shifting his weight off of his bad leg. Viktor adjusts a little then leans into you, trying to ignore the rising heat in his face. Only one other person had shown him this type of kindness before, the type of kindness that made Viktor’s heart race, that could dig up emotions he had thought he buried long ago. You slowly lead the both of you through the increasing snowfall and towards the station. A few passerbys give you odd looks but you ignore the stares and wait for the trolley to arrive. 

It isn’t long before the two of you are seated and on the way back towards the academy.

Viktor doesn't dare return to his lab once the two of you get back, his leg is sore and the joints have started to pop and crack when he bends his knee too far. Instead he opts for the library where he knows there is a giant hearth and plush chairs to settle into with a good book. He wants to invite you, but knows you mentioned making lunch and does not want to keep you.

There are a few other students hanging around, most likely because the warmth of the library drew them in as well, reading or having quiet conversations with colleagues. Viktor settles into a chair and picks up a book someone forgot to put back, a collection of short fictional stories. Not something he would usually read, but it seemed light enough to allow him to relax.  He turns to the first story and begins reading.

As Viktor works his way through the stories his eyes become heavier and the words blur into one another. The soft pattering of snow on the window and the warmth of the fire finally seeping into his bones has Viktor sink into the plush chair a little more and succumb to sleep. 

His slumber is peaceful and dreamless, only to be awoken by you gently shaking his shoulder.

"Viktor, it's dinner time." You say just above a whisper. He looks at the clock above the library doors and it does indeed read 5pm, “I made some chowder if you would like to join me for some.” You offer a hand for him to help himself up with and when your palms touch you feel your heart flutter in your chest again.

Stop that, you scold yourself. 

Dinner follows in a very similar fashion to how you served breakfast. You hold out a spoonful of clam chowder for Viktor to test and watch how his lips curl around the spoon and then into a smile when he compliments your cooking. Instead of striking up conversation though, you had discovered Jayce’s gramophone-- a gift he had bought himself when he got accepted to the academy if you recall-- and dug up one of the records. It was a sort of jazzy tune, not too fast and exciting, but also not slow enough to be bluesy. You allow yourself to get lost in the music for a moment, remembering a simpler time, way back before you ever had to worry about the future. 

Once everything wraps up and the dishes are soaking in the sink, Viktor bids you farewell and says that he’s going back to the lab for another few hours to go over some calculations and that he’ll see you tomorrow. You smile and wave him goodbye before shutting the door and returning to the dishes. The music still plays through the dorm and once again your mind wanders, this time to a better time. One where your mother gets to meet the wonderful people you work for, where you have a small studio in the upper levels of the Undercity where you build models to be constructed, one where perhaps you get to share this life with someone else. 

Oh what a dream.

Chapter Text

It's six in the morning again. You prepare another light breakfast while munching away on your own eggs and toast, the events of yesterday still fresh in your mind. You hope that you'll be able to get Viktor to eat again and open up about the kind of person he is. From what you can tell he's more than just some meek inventor with a sharp tongue. He's kind in ways that no one up top will ever be, he makes a point to listen no matter what the topic is, and he has such a passion for his work you can't help but admire it. You place the large container of fruit slices and another bowl of oatmeal (this time with some brown sugar added in) into your basket and head down to the lab.

You find Viktor in his corner, newspaper in hand, coffee in the other. The only light is from a small lamp on the table that casts a warm glow on his features.

"Good morning Viktor." You greet and set the tray down.

"Good morning." He doesn't look away from his paper but does smile a little.

"Thank you for accompanying me yesterday." 

"Of course, the break was appreciated." Viktor sets the paper down and reaches for the bowl you set on the table, "Is this...sugar?" He takes a spoonful of oatmeal and tastes it, "Oh! It is."

"Is that bad?" You begin to move to take the bowl back.

"No no, not at all. It just reminds me of when I was younger." 

You rest your chin in your palm and lean on the table, "Yeah?"

"When I first came to Piltover to study, I remember not eating that day. Heimerdinger pulled me aside to his office and offered me his own breakfast." He closes his eyes, trying to further recall the memory, "He told me that brilliant minds need more than knowledge to grow. That the academy would give me everything I needed to thrive, and that included-ah-as he said ' three square meals a day '."

"He's right. Can't do much of anything on an empty stomach." You steal an apple slice. 

"It was such a simple and kind gesture, but it filled me with hope." 

You both comfortably transition into a conversation about the weather, taking guesses on how long it’ll snow, how many students will ultimately be outside playing, how cold it actually is outside, and other small stories relating to the topic. Viktor hangs off of every word as you recall a moment from when you were employed to your second family. You had to help try and dig out the family carriage, despite it being broken and the replacement parts wouldn’t be in until a week later. He looks at you with bright amber eyes, a slight smile on his lips and you end up fumbling over your words. Viktor in turn tells you the short tale of when his mother snuck him into her work at an assembly factory on the edge of the canyon of the Undercity just so he could see the snow in its full glory.

“I didn’t care how cold it was, or how much my fingers burned from the snow in my hands, for a kid like me to see the golden city of Piltover blanketed in white was magical.” He looks out the window, where flakes are still falling and the sun is now rising, “Well, that’s my cue to get back to work. Do you mind finishing up those rags? If you have time could you empty out the ashes in the furnace? I don’t think Jayce did it before he left and the smoke has been rather irritating.”

Viktor rises to his feet and picks up some notes on a nearby bench. You head over to where you set up a wire to dry the wet rags and begin removing them so you can fold them. You watch as Viktor pulls on an apron, gloves, and goggles before sitting down with a contraption that you have seen in Jayce’s room before. However it looks slightly bigger with more switches and mirrors on it. In the center on a small platform on the base rests the bright blue gem that you know has been named the Hexcrystal. Viktor looks at his notes and writes something else down before flipping a few switches. 

You have no idea what it’s supposed to do, but by the way Viktor huffs and writes something else down you figure it’s not supposed to just sit there and hum faintly. He flips a few other switches before you go back to focusing on folding the rags.

Once lunch rolls around you make sure to take a seat next to Viktor and slide a sandwich and some water his way. He makes no attempt to reach for the food so you lean against his shoulder and pinch his cheek.

“Viiiiiiktor~” You sing, “You need to eeeeeeeeeat~” 

He looks at you through slotted goggles and sighs, “It’s hardly two in the afternoon, I’m fine.”

“Normally I’d agree, but I need to head back out to get some more things and might not be back until dinner.” You hold up half of the sandwich, “Now eat.”

You wait for him to reach for it, but instead he just leans in and takes a bite.

Oh . 

Your heart stops for a moment, Viktor is already looking back at his project seemingly unfazed by his own action. 

“Right, right. I’ll be back soon.”

It’s still just as cold  today as it was yesterday. There has been an attempt to clear the street, but patches of ice and snow still cling to walkways as you head towards the gondola down into the Undercity. 

Steam rises up from the chasm of the city below, creating a thick fog that masks the sight of all but a few buildings as you descend. The sickly green glow of chemicals running through glass pipes reflects off the fog and illuminates the area like some sort of green sunlight. You step off the cart and waste no time heading for the Lanes. With your head low and your hood up you navigate through side streets and alleyways to avoid running into any of Silco's thugs that roamed the area. 

It had been only three or so years since Vander was killed and power shifted hands, but within that time you witnessed your home twist into some nightmarish bastard of what you remembered. You wanted to avoid coming down at all costs, but you had important business to handle. 

In the distance you finally see your destination, a brothel. The lights outside are off, but the windows are lit. A few escorts are hanging outside smoking when they see you and wave you over.

"Oh Cy, you're looking so handsome today." One says dreamily, "I swear every time I see you, you get prettier and prettier." She sways on her heels and smiles.

"Juno, you say that every time." You chuckle and rub your neck.

"Because it's true! Whatever the doc is giving you must be magic!" 

You just smile and roll your eyes then head into the establishment. 

With it still being early enough in the day, not much activity was going on. Some employees were cleaning, others sleeping, and a few gossiping while fixing clothes. You give cordial waves and smiles as you head towards a door hidden behind some drapes with the word infirmary hand-carved into the wood. You knock and a voice inside calls you in.

The room in the back has a cot set up, it's considerably less decorative than any other room in the building. In the corner you see an older gentleman sorting through some vials in a cabinet.

"Slow day Dr. Glasc?" You take a thin gown off the wall and strip out of your uniform.

"A slow day is a good day my boy. Means no one is dying." He turns to you with a smile, "How's work?"

"Working a temporary job. Personal assistant to a scientist. He's a bit...eccentric." 

"Is he nice?" The doctor asks as he places a bell to your chest and listens, "One deep breath please?" 

You obey then continue, "He is."

Dr. Glasc hums in acknowledgement then shines a light in your eyes. You stare at his own mismatched irises and slowly focus your gaze to the deep lines around his eyes. Dark bags blend into his leathery skin and you see the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes move when he smiles as he checks your mouth.

"I don't want to be rude, doctor," you interrupt the examination, "but I have to be back to work sooner than later. He's absolute dog shit at feeding himself on a regular basis and I want to see if I can get him to bed before eleven." 

"Sounds like you're watching a child." He steps back and collects a vial and syringe off the counter.

"He grew up down here, definitely still isn't used to eating regularly. But he puts everything he has into his work, it's admirable really." You  roll up the gown so your thigh is exposed and brace yourself. The cold chill of alcohol being wiped on your skin makes you shudder visibly, even though you've done this for a couple of years now the sensation doesn't stop startling you.

"Keep talkin' tell me more." He sticks the needle into the meat of your leg. You can feel a slow, sharp burn spread under your skin. It used to be agonizing when you first started but is now just a painful distraction.

"He has a bad leg, needs a cane." You exhale as the feeling spreads through your leg and up your side, "He's got these curious gold eyes and pale skin. The way he carries himself at times reminds me of a sump worker. Hunched, trying to remain unseen."

The doctor presses a hand to your forehead, "How is working with him?"

"It was rocky at first. I think he felt like I was hired because Ja-someone thought he wasn't capable of being independent. Which, to be fair, if he didn't have his work he would probably be fine. But we sorted it out and it's nice. He's warmed up to me and he doesn't talk like most topsiders do. He looks me in the eye and doesn't act like I'm some rat or bug. He listens so intently, like he's committing everything to memory."

"Sounds like a nice man to be around." The needle withdraws from your leg.

"He is. What do I owe ya?" You reach for your bag.

"Nothin' this time. Just write to me how you feel in a week. Tryin' a new mixture." 

"You're lucky I know you're trustworthy." You change back into your work clothes, ready to leave when Dr. Glasc places a hand on your shoulder.

"You said he has trouble sleeping," he places a tin in your hand, "I have some leftover starpetal from making the Madam's medicine."

You look at the tin, turning it over in your hands. When you open it you can smell the gentle aroma of the flower and remember your own mother making tea for you when nightmares kept you up. 

"Thank you doctor. Thank you so much. Tell your wife and daughter hello for me alright? I'll be sure to write to you and follow up if things feel sideways." You tuck the container away and head back out into the brothel where guests have started coming in. 

You weave between people towards one of the secret exits, trying to ignore the sounds around you. The lights feel too bright and burn your eyes. Every smell is sharp and nauseating. You find a secluded corner to sit down in.

And then, you're six again, running through halls while some of the girls try to catch you after your daring escape from a bath. They laugh and call your name, a name you've since discarded, while hands wrap around your tiny frame and pull you up.

"Your mum is going to be so mad if you don't get cleaned up!" One says as she wraps your naked little butt in a towel.

"Mummy's not workin'! Wanna take a bath with mummy!" You wriggle and fuss.

"She's in a meeting with the Madam right now, okay? And she told us to get you cleaned up!" 

You fuss a little more until you're eventually dunked into a warm tub of water. The voices around you fade out and everything goes cold. 

You're still six, but you stand in the Madam's office with your mother, the Madam herself, and a strange man. He's dressed in fancy clothes that no one down here would ever have, so you can tell he's from topside. 

"Dearest, this is your father." Your mother says calmly and gestures to the man. You look at him again, his eyes and hair are the same color as yours, "He wants you to live with him, so you can have a better life." 

You feel something heavy. Your eyes open and there's a blanket draped on you and an old Yordle with bright red lips is sitting on your lap.

"You really were gonna leave without even popping in to say hello?" Her smoke-rough voice is just like you remember.

"Hello Madam Priscilla." You tiredly smile, "Sorry I have a client who needs me." 

"You still have time to tell this old bag hello." She frowns and pinches your cheek. You sneer and she laughs. 

"Oh my boy you've gotten so big and look like your mother more and more." She wraps her arms around your neck and gives you a peck on the cheek, "Rest her soul, she would be so proud of the young man you've become." 

"Madam I would love to stay and chat but I have to--"

"Yes yes I know. I know." She hops off your lap, "But please, don't be a stranger. Frostnight is just around the corner and I'm sure you can sneak away to visit."

You stand up and fold the blanket to hand to her, "I'll try."

"Bring a plus one too! I'm sure a handsome young man like yourself has plenty of eyes on him." She laughs and walks you towards an exit. You nervously chuckle and head back out where the Undercity is now glowing with neon and basslines thrum in the distance. 

By the time you get back to the lab it is well past 9pm and Viktor is standing at the blackboard drawing a new diagram. You don't try to understand it as you slide up next to him and hold out a small paper bag.

"Errands took longer than I thought. So I picked up something for you to eat." 

He takes the bag and sets it on the ledge of the board, not making any attempt to look at you. 

"Right, right. Is there anything else you need?" You wring your hands, feeling exhausted from your day.

"No, I should be fine." He looks at you from the corner of his eye. Then he turns to you and smiles ever so slightly, "Thank you, you've been such a great help." 

"Just doing my job Viktor." You weakly smile back, "Don't stay up too late. I'll check in at around eleven." 

When you reach the dorm, you sit on the edge of the bed and oh that feels nice. Slowly you lay down on top of the covers and let yourself relax

Chapter Text

You're going to kill that doctor, you decide, when you wake up the next morning covered in a thin sheet of sweat. Whatever was in that damned concoction is burning through your body and weighing your limbs down like lead. You grumble and huff as you try to move and every join in your body groans with protest. 

"He's a dead man." You declare to the room and finally push yourself out of bed.

Then immediately fall back onto it when your vision spins and blackens for a moment. 

"Fuck you for this. I would have happily paid the coin needed." You stare at the ceiling and grit your teeth.

Viktor looks at the clock, eyebrows furrowing when it reads 6:44am and you are still not there. He had wanted to tell you that, yes, he did go to bed even if it was at one in the morning. Perhaps you are making a heartier breakfast and lost track of time? Maybe you're sleeping in? Viktor looks back to his paper and sips his coffee, he decides to wait until seven to check on you. 

At 7:30 Viktor rises from his stool, away from his work, to walk to the room you're in. He presses an ear to the door and hears nothing. He knocks then waits. There's a shuffling of fabric, some colorful swearing, and a loud thud.

"Are you alright in there?" He begins to turn the knob.

"Yes! Yes I'm fine I'm," Thunk "OHFUCKTHESTARS!" Thunk "FuckfuckfuckFUCK!" The sound of your cursing and repeated falls worries Viktor enough that he begins rattling the knob, hoping that the less than quality dorm lock would come loose. But it doesn't and he feels his blood run cold when your incessant swearing stops and no other sounds come from the other side.

Viktor steps back and lines the butt of his cane under the doorknob and takes a few light taps to make sure his next move will be on the mark.

"Sorry Jayce." He mumbles and smashes the cane into the lock, busting it open and sending the door swinging. 

Then he sees you, tangled in bedsheets on the floor, expression cross, and head bleeding slightly. You turn your head to look at him and he watches your face flush a few shades before you attempt to scramble to your feet, unfortunately it only makes your situation worse.

You're ready to cry. Everything was going so well up until this point and now here you are writhing on the ground like a worm with your limbs caught in sheets way too soft for their own good. You can feel the warmth of blood trickling down your forehead from where you landed face-first on the floor. You scream in frustration and curl up in on yourself.

"Cy? Are you alright?" Viktor takes a knee by your prone form.

"Yeah-uhuh totally fine." You hiss back. 

"Would you like a hand?"

You sigh and swallow your pride.

"Please?" 

The sheets move around you and slowly but surely you emerge from the linens. The cool air hits your skin and it feels so good in contrast to the burning underneath the surface. Thin, calloused fingers come in contact momentarily with your forehead before retreating quickly.

"You're burning up." Viktor whispers in a concerned tone, "Were you out too long? You seemed fine yesterday. What else are you feeling?" 

You roll onto your back, now looking directly at your charge and taking in how his brow is furrowed and lips are pressed in a straight line.

"Feel like shit." You groan and slowly sit up.

"Where did you even go?" Viktor hovers around nervously once you're on your feet, hand out cautiously to try and catch you if you fall.

"Below. Had errands." You plop back onto the edge of the bed and pat your injection site, feeling how tender your nerves are. 

Turns out, they're VERY tender, because the gentlest touch feels like a stab. You grit your teeth and hiss. 

"Were you attacked? Are there any wou--here lay down--any wounds? Should I call a nurse?" He does his best to guide you into a reclining position and you don't fight it. His firm grip is comforting and you watch his eyes fill with worry when you wince again.

"No, no, I just saw a doctor." You look away and gently rub your leg, "It's...why I went down." 

Viktor only nods then drapes the blanket over you. You smile a little but refuse to look at him, unsure if you could handle his sad expression. He would probably try to find a way to blame himself if his concern was anything to go off of. 

"Would you mind sharing?" He pulls a chair up by your bedside and sits.

"You have work to do…" 

"I believe I've had more than a handful of people tell me to take a break. Besides, it's not everyday I get to talk to another topside Zaunite." You can hear the gentle smile in his voice, "I know most people talk about themselves when they first meet but-ah-I find I'm far off from 'most people'."

"I was down there...for treatment." You glance at Viktor from the corner of your eye, "I'm not sick, not exactly, but I found a doctor willing to work with me to help...uhm...get my body to cooperate…" your hands twist the sheets. 

"Must be expensive. Hopefully the Kirammans pay well." 

"Well. I mean. They do, sort of. But I made a deal with him that I'd be a test subject for any medical breakthroughs if I could get my treatments for less." 

The chair legs scrape on the floor, Viktor hums and places a hand on your shoulder. You can feel him staring, questions unspoken burning into your cheek.

"Normally this would be crazy, but he's a good man. Was able to bless my mother with a peaceful final few months before the skull shivers claimed her." 

The hand on your shoulder grips tighter. Viktor knows the disease all too well; a virus that attacks the brain and inflames the nerves to make every motion painful, its end punctuated by acute memory loss and seizures until the body gives out. He's seen more than his fair share of people die from the disease and will probably see many more when he returns to his home. There are only a few doctors and scientists in the Undercity that have the skill and resources to provide palliative care for such a vicious condition.

"Who is this doctor?"

"Glasc, less of a doctor I guess and more of an alchemist. He and his wife run a clinic to help provide medical care. Pretty sure they have at least one piltie sponsor. Or some nice market connections." You finally look at Viktor who hasn't taken his gaze off you. His amber eyes are filled with worry as they dart around your own expression. It’s a look that starkly contrasts his normal sharp and calculating gaze, but no less handsome.

What? 

“And you’re sure he didn’t poison you?”

“Yes Viktor, I probably just need to sleep it off.”

He exhales slowly and nods, as if to also reassure himself as well.

“I’m sorry this is such an inconvenience.” You say barely above a whisper. The hand on your arm tenses and you feel Viktor lean more weight on you.

“Cyril! Cy, it’s not an inconvenience at all!” His voice is filled with concern.

You can feel the heaviness in your limbs settling and fogging your thoughts, sleep calls to you in the back of your mind like a song. Without much thought, you nestle into the covers and slide your hand into his with a squeeze. 

“Get back to work, I’ll be up in a bit.”

And then you go slack.

Viktor feels your grip loosen and for a moment panic rises until he hears you snoring lightly. The atmosphere feels so familiar. Except it ended much more tragically and suddenly back then. He takes a few more moments to inspect your sleeping form before heading back to the lab, deciding he’ll check back in another hour or so. 

When you re-awaken the sun is up and the hanging clock reads 12:31, your limbs are still a little sore but much better than when you first woke up. You walk into the kitchenette and prepare a sandwich to calm your growling stomach and prepare another one to bring to Viktor, plus a fruit tart you picked up yesterday originally for yourself but now as a show of thanks. 

Viktor is writing frantically on the blackboard, strings of runes and equations cover most of the board alongside smaller diagrams. He mumbles to himself and only pauses to take a drink of coffee. You nudge the door open and blink a few times when Viktor jumps in surprise and yelps. His face is gaunt and hair is sticking out in all directions, his shirt is untucked and his hands tremble. You step further in and notice several mugs, clearly used, some still half full, sitting on various surfaces.

“Oh! You’re up! Good good, watch your step.” He looks back at the board and smiles, “I think I’ve reached a small breakthrough. A way to stabilize the energy.”

“Are you, okay?” You place the food down and observe the work on the board.

Still doesn’t make any sense to you.

“Oh I’m fine, not my first all nighter, won’t be my last. I know you said I should sl--”

“Wait, what?!” An all-nighter? But it was noon! Unless, “Viktor, what do you mean?”

“Well after you went back to sleep, I grabbed breakfast and started going over my equations, and then came across an inconsistency. So I grabbed some references and realized that I needed to do an inverse equation, which changed everything. But again, it’s all okay.”

Your brain chugs through the barrage of information, “So you’ve been up for over 24 hours.”

Viktor looks out the window, “It would seem so.” 

Silence.

You take a deep breath.

“Viktor. I’m going to ask you to lay down. Take a nap.”

He furrows a brow, “I’m fine, I’ve gone four days without sleep.”

You bury your face in your hands and groan.

“At least eat lunch, can you do that?”

Viktor takes the sandwich and bites into it, eye contact not breaking.

“Okay, I’m going to leave you to it. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as you’re out the doors Viktor shoves the rest of the sandwich half into his mouth and hurries back to his board, now writing down inputs for his next experimental run. Everything is coming into place and thigh might just be the one that kick starts a whole new future for Piltover, for Runeterra. 

If the experiment goes well, replicates perfectly, and remains stable then he and Jayce will have the hard part worked out! He can just imagine an era where he can traverse the ocean in moments without worrying about the dangers of the long trip. An era where great minds can travel the world and share knowledge. He’s read of healers from Ionia being able to pull even inherited illnesses from a body, blacksmiths from Noxus who have been able to create perfectly smelted alloys, expert shipbuilders from Bilgewater that could be consulted to craft better trade ships! The possibilities were endless, not to mention what could become of his home. People forced to work in the mines and sumps would have new opportunities to work on trade routes, export chemtech machines, move to other regions where they may have left family when they tried moving to Piltover for a better life. 

If Viktor was selfish he himself would travel the world his father so passionately talked about, he wanted to see Mount Targon with his own eyes, explore the lush jungles of Ixtal, study the ruins of the Sun kingdom in Shurima, and perhaps settle for a moment in a small town tucked away from the rest of the world where the air is fresh and the grass is bright green. 

“ You’ll do great things, my boy.” His father had told him before he took his last breath.

“Viktor?” He turns to see you with a mug of tea, “Are you okay?”

Viktor nods, takes the mug, and drinks. The flavor is bitter and sharp and doesn’t feel quite right. He looks at the tea inside and notices a faint purple hue swirling around when the light hits it. Then the smell hits him, it’s sickeningly sweet, it’s…the thought clouds. Spots flash in his vision. Viktor looks up at you and notices you watching him carefully, shame etched into your face.

“Cy…Cy what?” His heart shudders, limbs tingle, stomach drops, “What did you do .”

“I’m sor--”

The world goes cold and black.

Chapter Text

Viktor weighs nothing in your arms as you carry him to his room, you had expected his lanky body to be awkward to carry but no, he ends up curling into your hold when you properly shuffle him in your grasp. You wish it didn't have such an effect on you but it does and you can't help but flush when a hand tangles into your shirt and Viktor mumbles in his sleep. He's adorable, you decide and use every last ounce of strength to resist kissing his forehead when you lay him down. Instead opting to brush his unruly hair away from his face and remove his shoes before tucking him under the covers. You mumble a quiet " sleep well " as you leave the room.

Arms, long thick arms, trap Viktor against a wall. Dark hungry eyes bore into his own amber ones declaring a challenge.

"I know how you look at me." A voice, familiar and dripping with desire growls.

"Like what, Jayce?" Viktor looks away nervously. 

"Like you want me to devour you, fill you, repay you for what you did that night." A strong hand grabs his jaw and forces his gaze back to Jayce. 

"Jayce, that...we were less than sober. You asked...I offered. You-we-I don't have to mention it!" 

"But you want to. You want to know if we could be more ."

Viktor gulps, heart pounding.

"But you know, deep in your cold little heart, It'd never happen." 

His back hits a wall, Jayce wedges a knee between Vikor's legs then leans over and licks a strip up his neck. 

"You'll always chase what you can't have."

Hands, worn and rough from years of work, tangle into his. A torso presses into his back and warm breath tickles his ear.

"Let it go, Viktor. Don't let it eat you up." Your voice calmly reminds him. 

Viktor takes a deep breath and now he's in his room. His old room back in Zaun. The fading sunlight is being overtaken by the green of the chem-lights in a way that calms him. His bed is nowhere as nice as the one at the academy but it is bigger and only when he looks over he notices you curled up, naked , in the covers. Your eyes slowly open and you smile gently at him.

"Ah, must've passed out." You wriggle closer to him and wrap and arm around him. The sensation of your warmth against his naturally chilly temperature is relaxing. 

Viktor blinks a few times, looking at you in disbelief. What was happening? When did this happen? 

"C'mon sleepy head." You reach up and stroke his cheek, your hand is warm and Viktor leans into the touch. 

"I'm dreaming. I've got to be." He shakes his head, "I don't get to have things like this."

"Why not?" 

Why? 

Viktor awakens in a cold sweat. Every muscle is tense and he can feel a sensitive warmth between his legs. He groans in annoyance and rubs the sleep out of his eyes then notices a note on his nightstand.

" Viktor,

I'm sorry about what I did, but I knew you wouldn't try and sleep if I didn't act. If you like we can talk over dinner.

-Cy "

He feels his heart twinge, talking about what transpired would definitely be the right thing to do but...Viktor looks at the tent in his pants. He isn't sure how he feels after the dream he woke from. 

No, no, he is a responsible man and will absolutely talk about his concerns. 

After a cold shower.

You're in the lab with some of Viktor and Jayce's notes and a blank paper, most of the notes make little sense but you aren’t concerned with the equations as much as you are the visual designs. They're stunning and eye-catching and you need to do something with it. You start sketching out some lines then think of your mother's wheelchair. What would it look like if she lived topside? Less ramshackle, angular, sleek but decorated. She hated that thing, always said she felt like a rolling target. Too many times some delinquent would grab the handles on the back and push her through the alleys like it was a game.

What if it was hard to grab? You sketch the handles to look like small geometric wings. Then you translate the design to reflect on the back and then to the spokes of the wheel. 

Perhaps you could ask Viktor about his notes? 

No that's stupid. That's out of line. That's…

The door clicks open and you cover the sketch with other papers. Viktor walks in looking downright pissed. 

"What did you give me?" He says slowly. 

"Starpetal tea, just enough to help you fall asleep." You refuse to meet his gaze. 

"Starpetal. You mean, the poisonous flower that grows by the lower rivers of Zaun?!" Viktor's voice raises and he stalks towards you. 

"It was either that or...or…" you back against the table, Viktor now dangerously close, "Or dragging you off to bed and holding you down." You lock eyes and grit your teeth. Viktor blinks then jolts back like he's realizing how close he is to you. 

"Viktor, when I do my job I make sure I do all of the work. And sometimes that means I have to get my hands dirty. I was told to take care of you and help you and since you made the decision to stay awake for over a day, I made the decision to get you to sleep." Something inside you was breaking, and you weren't sure why. But here you are, the words now bubbling in your gut and burning to get out. 

"So you drugged me? Cy you aren't a doctor!" He slams his cane down to accentuate the point.

"No, I'm not. But I've had more than my share of having to dose and give medication. I knew what I was doing Viktor, just trust me!" 

Silence. Your chest heaves. Your heart lurches. Why is this affecting you so much? Viktor takes another step back and deeply inhales. He can be mature about this.

"Okay. Alright. Let's...start from the beginning. Where did you get the Starpetal?" 

"The doctor who treats me down below." You wring your hands.

"Alright. The same doctor who ended up getting you sick. Sounds like a decent person." Viktor rolls his eyes.

"He is. He cares. Anyways I told him you have issues sleeping and he gave me the starpetal to try and aid that." 

"I see. Have you ever had to do something like this before?" 

You sigh, "It's not uncommon for family heads, especially from lower houses, to have sleeping issues. Since these houses don't have a nurse usually it becomes the job of a more...competent housekeeper. I got one of the head maids to show me how it's done."

"You have no shortage of skills it seems." Viktor rubs his chin and mumbles.

The next words out of your mouth are said before you can even think.

"My usefulness keeps me valuable to topsiders."

Silence. Viktor looks at you with a gaze that you can only describe as heartbroken. You feel the carefully crafted personal you have made come falling apart. You sigh heavily and hang your head.

"Who...taught you that?" Viktor takes a tentative step forward and lifts your chin with a finger. The first thing he notices is the distant stare in your eyes then the quiver of your lip. He slides his hand to your cheek and tears roll under his palm. You bite your lip and try to hold back the gasping sob that is in your chest. 

"Viktor," you say in a breath, "That's just how it works. I'm a tool for the rich to use as they see fit." 

Why now? Why did you feel so comfortable that you could say such a thing? What made Viktor different from all of your other clients?

"You're so much more than that, I know you are." He takes your hand in his free one and rubs soothing circles on the back of your palm. Your heart jumps in your chest and you can't hold back the tears anymore. You pull yourself into Viktor's arms and cry. 

When was the last time someone you worked for actually tried to know you? 

Never.

And that realization made you cry harder. Viktor pats your back and lets you take your time. He mutters soothing words and after the initial shock is over, he gently strokes your hair. 

"This world is so cruel…" he mumbles, "And it doesn't have to be." 

You start to reign in your sobs and look at Viktor with tear-swollen eyes. It's his turn to show his hand as he continues.

"It's why I work so hard, we're on the precipice of something that can change it all!" He smiles softly at you and brushes a strand of hair from your face, "How much has Jayce talked about Hextech?"

"A bit? Mainly he would just ramble theories to himself when I cleaned." 

The smile widens, "Cy my friend, would you like to know more?" 

Chapter Text

You prepare a light dinner with some of the leftovers you have and some food from the dining hall. It's not quite a pot-pie and not exactly a casserole but it's warm and Viktor compliments your cooking with a gentle smile that makes your heart twinge. He helps you collect the dishes despite your protests and sets a kettle on the stove for tea. 

"Bear with me, Jayce is much better at making this sound good." Viktor chuckles a little and opens a notebook. You shuffle to get more comfortable in your seat.

"What if I could tell you there was a type of rock that makes magical energy?" He begins and immediately you are enraptured. He points through small illustrations of different crystals with annotations written under them and explains how these Hexcrystals store massive amounts of energy that when properly activated can produce near impossible results. He tells you about how he and Jayce nearly blew up Professor Heimerdinger's study trying to get their initial idea off the ground, how he and Jayce were caught floating in mid-air by the professor and several enforcers.

"That must have been frightening." You comment and sip your tea.

"Only a little, Jayce's notes and theories were very sound and after reading them I had absolute faith it would work...or at least do something impressive." 

"I see. And now you two are working on something else?" 

He nods, "After the incident the only way to keep researching was to appeal to the council, we were hoping that they would simply give us funds to stabilize and refine the crystals but…" Viktor sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

"They wanted you guys to make them something profitable ." You look away, knowing exactly how the high and influential personalities of Piltover would try to squeeze any amount of money out of a new discovery.

"Exactly. They want us to find a way to use Hextech for long distance travel."

"Well that's better than say...mind control." 

Viktor looks at you and laughs, "Yes, yes it is better than that." He turns to another page to continue his explanation about the current project. Their new goal is to work out the formulas and runes to allow for teleportation, specifically long distance. You look over the endless amount of numbers and symbols and mumble an "I see…"

"You do?" He perks up.

"I see there are numbers on the paper. Makes no sense to me."

His shoulders slump, "Ah."

"Sorry Viktor. I don't know much about math beyond cooking and some medicine." 

"It's alright. It's just been a few months and the council hates waiting, even though the amount of times we've tried to explain that this concept is just as new to us." He turns his notes towards himself and looks over the calculations. His expression is definitely sadder now. 

"Well I'm sure you and Jayce will get it. You're both smart, clever, handsome, and resourceful men, I know you'll have it sorted out in no time." 

The flattery has Viktor snap his head up, his cheeks are flushed and he laughs nervously.

"I'm serious!" You huff, "It'll work itself out, these things always do. When you least expect it."

"You sound so sure of yourself." 

"Of course I'm sure. There have been plenty of times where I've been stuck on something and by doing something else my original problem ends up resolved." You sit up straighter and nod triumphantly.

"Is that so?" He leans on his palm, "Please enlighten me."

"Well, I was trying to think of what to make for Frostnight that wouldn't be too much to pack up and bring. Then you went and stayed up all night, and then I had to whip up a dinner really fast with random ingredients, and here we are! I think I'm going to make another one of these…" you motion at the half empty pan between you and Viktor, "Food…concoctions." 

"I haven't heard of Frostnight in years…" Viktor comments off-handedly.

"You, don't go back down for the holiday?"

He shakes his head, "I don't have anyone down there to celebrate with." 

Oh. Your heart feels a little colder. 

"Do you…celebrate at all?" You trace little circles on the table with your finger.

"Eh, I light a candle by the window next to my mother's photo and dig out my father's old bluebird carving." He says before taking a final small portion of dinner onto his plate.

"Your father worshipped Janna?" 

Viktor shrugs, "Only when things got tough. Apparently he made the carving shortly before I was born." 

"That's…that's really heartwarming actually." You begin collecting the plates off the table.

"What about your mother?" 

You freeze for a second, "She mainly used Janna's name as a threat. Y'know like 'If I catch you digging through Hector's stuff again Janna'll blow you away in a gust!' Or 'Stop cutting your hair by yourself! Or Janna will blow all your hair off!" 

Viktor chuckles, "Sounds like you were a handful."

"I was, it wouldn't be a good day if mom didn't swear on Janna for something I did. She really scared me when she spoke Janna's name and coincidentally a breeze came in." You set the dishes in the sink to wash later, "She was a good mom."

"Sounds like it, I'm sorry she's passed." Viktor collects his things.

"Zaun takes everyone at some point." You laugh bitterly.

"That it does…" He makes his way to the door.

"You know," you start, stopping Viktor in the doorframe, "When she was…dying, she would ask Janna every day to sweep me away to a better life. I'd like to think Janna at least made half good on that." 

"I'd like to think so too." Viktor hums.

"Oh yeah?"

"Of course, because…because then I would have never met you." The door shuts gently and you are alone. 

Chapter Text

To say you are freaking out is an understatement. After Viktor’s little comment from the other night you can't. Stop. Thinking. About. Him. You notice every little mannerism, from the way he'll motion his left hand in the air when he's trying to find the words to make his point, to the way he hums when he thinks he's alone. His smile consumes your thoughts and for the second time in the past hour you burn your finger when reaching for a boiling pot of water. 

"This is bad." You mumble and scowl at the bones floating around in the stock. 

Down several halls and in the lab, Viktor is doing something he rarely has time for.

Clean. 

It all starts with a misplaced schematic on his desk of other half designed ideas and late night notes. He knows he placed it down somewhere, but he forgot to leave a marker on it so he would be reminded that this specific sketch had important information. Viktor frantically sifts through pages with designs from both him and Jayce until he stops at something he's never seen. 

A crude drawing of a chair. It's got motifs from the academy’s architecture that make it look modern but functional. In fact the chair is designed in a way that hides two large wheels, one on each side, plus a smaller wheel in the front middle. There are no measurements, let alone any numbers, to make it a viable blueprint, but the concept intrigues Viktor all the same.

"Handles can lock upright. Stops strangers from grabbing." A note in unfamiliar script writes, " Locks for wheels. Controlled by user. Keep chair from drifting."

He smiles and follows the scrawl of notes that ranges from more ideas to ingredients to a shopping list to…

" Ask Viktor when his birthday is " with another crude doodle, this time of his face, and a present next to it. 

The sentence makes his heart flutter for unknown reasons. He traces the letters with his finger and sighs. You must have done all of this. Viktor knew you were more than you let on, but this small glimpse into your mind was a different level. He can imagine it already from what you have told him. Your mother, bound to a wheelchair being pranked by the local children. Being left in alleys or in the middle of traffic with hardly any way to get home. You having to search all over Zaun while your mother wheels herself back home.

"But why use topside aesthetics?" He mumbles to himself then rolls up the paper to tuck away in a drawer by his desk before resuming his search for his own work. 

You're chopping vegetables for soup when your mind wanders off again. 

Maybe you should invite Viktor down for Frostnight? He said he hasn't properly celebrated in years. And the Madam said you could bring a guest. 

Hah, Viktor, in a brothel. 

Viktor…in a brothel…

In your old room. Sprawled out on your bed. Pale skin glowing in the neon light. Amber eyes rolled back as you…

"FUCK!" You hiss and shake your hand, finger now bleeding from having nicked it on the knife. Quickly you wrap it in a cloth and clean up your mess. You remove the stock pot from the burner and set it aside before you inevitably burn the dorms down. 

"Get it together Cyril…you only have a week until you're done." You smack your cheeks, trying to remove the thoughts of Viktor from your mind. 

But you can't. His gentle expression is etched into your brain, your heart leaps when you think about how dedicated he is, your stomach twists in knots when you imagine what kissing him might feel like. A soft delighted sigh passes your lips and you look out to the bright, snowy, Piltover streets. 

What if you just, never went back? Found a way to stay here forever. Changed your name for good, stowed away in some abandoned building while you joined the cleaning staff for the academy. You could feasibly do it. Use your father's…family…name…

" You were nothing but a mistake ." His voice slices through your mind, " You're only here to guarantee I get what's properly mine. So don't get comfy."  

"Fuck off." You grumble to yourself. But before you can begin spouting off more obscenities the timer on the counter rings. And you focus on the smell of the biscuits from the oven. 

Right! Lunch! Viktor always complained about how stale the bread in the cafeteria was since it was break and the staff didn't want to waste ingredients if less than a third of the students were in the building. So you made a point to have fresh rolls for the day for the two of you to snack on and use for dinner. You pack the rolls in a bag with a jar of fruit preserves before heading to the cafeteria to pick up sandwiches.

The new prototype is promising. While the runes are still in the process of being decrypted, there was still the issue of how to contain the crystals. Viktor looks at his small paper and cardboard contraption and smiles. A sturdy capsule to hold the crystal itself, several locking mechanisms to keep it in place, and a lens to focus the energy into the runes. Yes, yes, he would show it off to Jayce when he returns along with the progress on the new equations. Hopefully his lab partner had made some headway with the runic language, but he also knew Jayce had his mother to dote on and spend time with. 

His heart aches a little at the thought. Despite his aloof exterior, a part of Viktor wished he had someone to go home to occasionally. Someone to say 'good morning' with a kiss on the cheek and a sleepy smile. Someone to come home to after a weary day of working in the lab and assisting staff who would hold him close and whisper sweet nothings as they fell asleep. Viktor closes his eyes for a moment, envisioning his dorm--no apartment. A simple apartment with just enough space for him and whatever man decides to be with him. He rests his chin on his palm and sighs. What a wonderful fantasy. 

Perhaps one day he and Jayce would talk it out. Lay their feelings bare and see where it would go. They already worked so well together, a domestic life wouldn't be so hard. Right?

But Viktor has also seen the way Jayce looks at women, the way he puffs out his chest a little, the toothy and charming smile that can win over any heart. He's seen how Jayce flirts. It's very obvious and a little heavy handed but it fits with his charm. 

"Viktor." You say as you push past the doors into the lab, "Ah, there you are! It's lunchtime." 

He looks over at you, eyes a little frantic, face a little flushed. Perhaps this was a bad time? 

"Cy, g-good afternoon." Viktor straightens his posture and pushes his blueprint aside for you to place your basket. You just smile and pull out a thermos with some tea cups.

"It's black tea today. The weather's getting colder still and I figured something simple and warm would do us good." You take out the sandwiches, rolls, and preserves.

"You don't have to keep making fresh rolls everyday." 

"Shush. I enjoy it." You tap his nose to accentuate your point. 

The both of you freeze. The silence hanging like a one ton weight ready to fall.

"If you say so." Viktor finally says and digs into his sandwich. 

The heaviness around you fades and you also start eating. In moments the atmosphere is more comfortable and calming. The only sounds are the soft clanking of pipes and the cold wind outside. Your eyes roam around the lab, looking for anything new or interesting. There are a few half-started cardboard…things, several diagrams have been transferred from the chalkboards to larger sheets of paper, and a new pile of rags has begun to grow. When you look back at Viktor he has that same zoned out look on his face as he did earlier. 

"Are you alright Viktor?" You gently shake his arm and he startles.

"Yes! Yes, I'm fine. Just…" he twirls his hand around, "thinking about things." 

"Things?"

"Things." 

"What kind?" You lean in.

"Thing…things."

You squint.

"Abstract concepts." He seems to have decided on.

"Ohhhhkay." You huff and open the jar of preserves. 

"Frostnight is tomorrow. " 

"What?" You fork a piece of peach out of the jar and stick it in your mouth.

"You said you head down to Zaun to celebrate."

You nod slowly as you chew your food. 

"Would you mind if I tagged along." 

Viktor watches a range of emotions play across your face. Excitement, confusion, nervousness, joy, all in the fraction of a second. He worries that maybe he stepped too far, pushed a boundary, but when you grin it all melts away. 

"Oh everyone is going to love you."

" If you're coming along, then you're pulling your weight. I've got to watch the oven since I have a roast cooking and I want to make that thing we had last night for dinner. Here's a list of groceries I need to make dessert. " 

Viktor looks over the list again, you told him you were baking a pie, but the list had enough for several to be made. Were you feeding an army down there? How many people was exactly everyone . 

The woman at the stall holds out the bag of sugar for him to take and Viktor hands over the necessary coins to pay. 

Well whoever they are, they're lucky to have you cook such delicious food. Hell, he's lucky to have your cooking everyday. Viktor has no idea how he'll survive after you go. Maybe he'll have to ask for your recipes. Recipes that he will try to practice over and over again until it tastes like you made it. Recipes that will follow him to that simple apartment, where he'll wake up to you making breakfast. 

A gentle "good morning" and a kiss on the cheek when he pulls himself out of bed. A quiet "good night" when he curls around you to fall asleep. There in that small apartment you would be with him everyday. You could stay a housekeeper if you wanted but have a proper house to stay at. Or with his pay and influence with the academy you could take some courses to really draw out your potential. 

Viktor feels his heart skip a beat at that. A small house for you and him. Then he laughs to himself.

"Get it together Viktor, you've known him just over a week." He heads to the next stall to pick up the last of the ingredients.

When he returns to the dorms, Viktor finds you passed out on the sofa. Some flour on your hands and cheeks, a smudge of sauce on the corner of your mouth, and a blanket draped across your lap. You look so peaceful that Viktor's heart warms at the sight of you and he has to fight every urge to kiss your forehead. So he instead opts to pull the blanket up the rest of your body. Your eyes slowly open and you glance around before looking at Viktor.

"Oh, welcome back." You yawn and sit up, "I was just resting my eyes."

"Smells good in here. I'm glad the place didn't burn down during your nap." He places the groceries on a table then sits down by your feet.

"Finished up 'bout half an hour ago." You stick your tongue out. Viktor lets out a small "ah" then looks out the window. The snow has started falling again. 

Silence. Silence filled with the quiet sounds of your breathing as you slowly doze off again. Silence filled with the gentle thumping of his heart. Silence filled with anticipation, ready to be found.

"So how-" "You should-"

The two of you speak at once. 

"Go ahead." He offers. 

You clear your throat, "Right. You should know. The…the people I visit. Are…eccentric." 

"Eccentric how?" 

"They're," you mentally search for a word, "entertainers."

"Like musicians?" 

"No like… private entertainment." 

Viktor furrows his brow. He rubs his chin and bites his lip.

Oh!

"Courtesans?"

"Sure. That's a nice way of putting it. Mom worked there and when we lost our house in a landslide it became our home. I grew up there until I was…uhm…spirited off topside." You avoid eye contact. 

You can tell Viktor wants to ask more but refrains from doing so. 

"I guess that answers my question. I just wanted to know how many people to expect."

"Oh! About…maybe fifteen? At most? You don't have to really talk to anyone if you don't want to. I still have my room there so if it gets too loud you can hang out there. I should still have a few books…" you trail off and look at the bag of groceries on the table, "RIGHT! I've got to get those pies prepped. Care to help me?" 

"Lead the way." 

Viktor has never done much baking. Sure he helped his mother from time to time by taking food from the oven, but nothing like this. His arms were sore from working the dough after five minutes while you were next to him with your own dough ball, whistling a tune and slamming the dough down with the beat. Flour puffs up with every impact, pondering your face but you don't seem to care. You catch him staring and smile back at him, doing your best to quell the butterflies in your stomach. 

"Here, let me." You place your hands over his long slender ones and have him pick up the ball and slam it down on the counter, "You'll spare your arms that way." 

You guide him through the motion a few more times before realizing how close you are and shuffle away. Viktor says nothing but you do notice a tinge of pink on his cheeks. Oh gods what if you embarrassed him…

"I'm going to prepare the fruit. Keep it up." 

As soon as you are out of earshot Viktor exhales loudly and shakes his head. He could still feel the phantom pressure of your hands on his, your chest against his back. He swallows thickly and takes a deep breath. These feelings were going to need to be addressed soon, otherwise Viktor was going to burst. He just hoped that you would understand and politely turn him down, like most of the men he had tried propositioning when he was a little younger and a lot bolder. 

You return with a bowl of sliced apples and some pie tins already lined with raw dough. 

"Okay, last thing for you to do for me. Fill these to the brim. I'm going to slice the dough for the tops." 

When you trade off ingredients Viktor has this determined expression on his face. The one he gets when he's decided what he's about to do. 

"Tomorrow." He thinks, " I'll tell him tomorrow. "

Chapter Text

The lift ride down to Zaun is slow and silent. Both you and Viktor are too caught up in your own thoughts to really hold a conversation. You have a small cart with all the food neatly packed away inside that Viktor happily supplied from the lab. 

"It'll save you the strain on your back and arms." He had said.

The lift jerkily stops at the Lanes station and you make your way off without much of a word, leading Viktor through the streets with your hand in his. Many of the shops are closed while all of the bars and restaurants are bustling with activity. Children are darting in and out of crowds, music fills the air, and the normal smog in the air seems to have been blown away. 

Small alleyway shrines dedicated to deceased family members light up the dark corners of the city and windchimes that look like bluebirds ring just under the rhythm of the music. You smile and remember why you come back. 

Zaun will always be your home.

Viktor falls into step next to you, his eyes bright with wonder. 

"Amazing. It's just as I remember it…" he steps off the road to a lamppost where ribbons have been tied, each one a different color, each one a wish. He gently rubs the fabric between his fingers and smiles gently, "It really hasn't changed…" 

"Glad you came down?" 

He nods.

"Don't worry, our stop is just around the corner." 

The lights outside the brothel are dark, sounds of laughter and chatter float from an open window. You knock on the door and it immediately opens to Madam Priscilla who is dressed to the nines. She looks up at you and smiles, flashing her smoke-stained teeth. 

"Oh my dear boy, come in!" She waves her arm, "And your guest too!" 

The whole establishment is filled with a warm and welcoming glow. You can hear everyone in the main lounge talking away as you head to the kitchen with Viktor.

"And here I was. Worried you wouldn't come. Thought you would be too busy working to visit." Priscilla laughs. The sound is gravelly and rough. 

"I've never missed a Frostnight yet." You reply.

Viktor looks around the kitchen. Miscellaneous pots and pans hang from the ceiling. There's a large stone oven with a fire under, pipes snake around the walls decorated with painted patterns and photos. It's very homely, not anything like Viktor imagined. 

"And who is your friend?" Priscilla asks when she hops up to sit on the counter.

"Viktor." He introduces and rolls up his sleeves then holds out his hand to shake. The Yordle eyes up the motion and chuckles before placing her small hand in his.

"Whoever raised you taught you well boy." She smiles, "It's great manners to show you aren't hiding anything up your sleeves." 

"It's an obvious place to hide a knife." 

"Smart boy." She looks over at you, "I like him." 

"I knew you would." You smile then watch as she slowly moves her hand towards a kitchen knife a few inches away. But before you can even warn Viktor you witness him pull a blade from seemingly nowhere and stab it between the Madam's hand and the kitchen knife. His soft honey eyes are now cold and calculating. 

Priscilla erupts into laughter, "Okay now I really like him! Where in the void did you find this absolute gem!" She stands up and pats Viktor on the cheek, "You're a true Zaunite through and through! A knife! In your cane! Hah! I might need one of those!" 

Before you can get another word in, the Madam hops off the counter and tugs on Viktor's slacks, "Cyril dear you get dinner set up. I'm borrowing your boyfriend." 

You hear Viktor sputter as he's pulled away. 

Hopefully he returns to you in one piece.

Viktor once thought Heimerdinger was the oldest Yordle in the world, but after seeing Madam Priscilla his theory had changed. Never in his life had he seen someone who looked so aged and yet still moved with a spring in their step. She led him back to what he could only assume to be her office and had him sit on a couch with too many pillows. The walls were decorated with masks and tapestries, small trinkets hung from the ceiling. 

"So you're the one my dear Cy is working for." She says as she leans over her desk.

"Temporarily, yes. He works for--"

"The Kiramman family, I know. He tells me these things." 

Viktor goes silent and just nods, "Of course."

"So tell me. How do you feel about Cy?"

"Uhm, well…He's diligent, dedicated, a hard worker, observant, he--"

"Please boy, I'm not asking about what I know . I'm asking how you feel ." She groans and drops her head to the desk.

"He's…kind. Very kind actually. He talks to me like I'm a person and not some…" Viktor motions his hand in the air, "Oddity. He's bright in so many ways, witty, sharp, he's taken over my thoughts at times." 

Priscilla grins, "Go on." 

"He's caring, more than he should be," Viktor feels his heart racing, "I see him and my mind goes blank, like nothing else matters. I feel…alive around him. The longer I'm around him the more I want to…to…" he stops, face burning, breathing heavy. 

"You want toooooo?" 

"I want…I want to tell him how I feel." 

"And why haven't you?" 

"It's unprofessional. Unsightly. There's only a few days before his contract is up and I know I'll never see him again. Why tell him? Why tell him and know nothing will come of it." Viktor slumps in his chair.

The Yordle sits next to him and pats his arm, "My dear. These feelings are eating you up. And who knows, maybe you will see Cy again. Fate works in funny ways." 

"I doubt he feels the same." 

Priscilla clicks her tongue, "You've had your heart broken like this before, haven't you?"

Viktor nods.

"Well, I'll tell you this much. Cy doesn't bring just anyone to his whore-ible family." 

A weight lifts off Viktor's shoulders. 

"Now go back out there. I've kept you long enough. Pretty sure Cy thinks I've killed you." She laughs.

Viktor stands and heads for the door, "Thank you, Madam Priscilla." 

"No problem," she grins then slaps him hard on the thigh, "Now go get 'em tiger!" 

Viktor leaves the room only to find a swarm of people outside the door, all of them smiling knowingly at him. 

"Ex-excuse me. Can I help you?" 

One woman, not too much younger than him, slinks forward with a cat-like smile, "Cy told us to find you. Make sure Madam didn't kill you~" 

"Well, I'm alive. So if you'll just…" he tries to push past when a large hand stops him, "Excuse me. I'm going to see Cy now."

"Nah." An older man laughs, " 'es busy. 'sides, we wanna know all about the man Cy has been chattin' 'bout for the past half hour." 

You've just about finished adding your dishes to the table when you hear a thunder of footsteps run past the lounge. 

"Looks like that poor boy won't get out of here alive." Odette says as she reads in her seat. 

"They better not kill him. I'm pretty sure I won't get paid." You laugh and look at the woman on the plush chair.

"Not everyday our darling Cy-cy brings home a boy." She turns the page, not looking at you. 

"Please. He seemed lonely. Said he hadn't celebrated Frostnight in decades."

Odette hums, "He's lonely, you're lonely, better snatch him up before someone else does." 

"Oh shut up. He's got bigger things to do than deal with me." 

"Does he?" 

"Yes." 

"Then why did he come with you?" 

You can't answer that. You don't want to answer that. Your romantic little heart can't bear to imagine if he, Viktor, kind, hard working, Viktor, did actually harbor feelings for you.

"Ask him." She says plainly.

"No." 

"Coward."

"Slut."

"I am what I am, coward." 

"I hate you." You declare with no real malice. 

Odette rolls her eyes, "Ohhhkay Cyril the biggest coward in all of Runeterra. You'll have to face it sooner or later."

You cross your arms and pout.

"So how about 'sooner'?" The woman looks up from her book, icy blue eyes glimmering in the candlelight. She takes a deep breath and shouts, "EVERYONE GET YOUR ASSES IN HERE IT'S DINNERTIME!" 

The thunder of running feet comes rumbling in, and who do you see in front but Viktor tucked under the arm of Wren. His hair sticking out in all directions, the top buttons of his dress shirt opened and a smudge of dark red lipstick on his temple. His gaze is distant like his soul is still trying to catch up to him. The group disperses into the room to take their seats and Viktor gets placed next to you. 

"Are you okay?" You whisper.

"They attacked me." Viktor whispers back, "I thought Priscilla was invasive, but these guys…" 

"We didn't do shit. Just asked him questions." Hanna leans over to you, "Aaaaand roughed him up a bit." 

The chatter around the table hushes when Madam Priscilla enters. She takes her spot at the front of the table.

"Okay settle down. We've made it through another year, won't say it was easy, but we did it." She raises her glass, "We're lucky once again to have Maribel's sweet son Cyril with us, and his darling friend Viktor." A few people cheer in agreement, "But let us not forget those we lost." She lowers her head, "This year we lost Steele and Dima to Shimmer. Janna bless them. And it has now been three years since our beloved Vander was killed and his kids went missing." 

You see Viktor stop breathing for a second. Right, he wouldn't have known. 

"Here's to another year." The Yordle finishes and everyone digs in. 

Conversation starts again, mainly questions for you about any weird things you've seen the pilties do. Viktor answers a few questions about what he does, smiling a little when they ask more about his research and what he likes to build. You smile as he settles into the flow of the group, occasionally asking his own questions for your found family to answer. From across the table you see Odette grinning then wink at you. 

The rest of dinner continues, conversations melt together, drinks are poured, and plates soon get collected to wash. Some people head out to find other places to hang out and party, others leave to join one of the many small processions to pray for another safe year, and the rest hang nearby to enjoy a quiet evening.

"I'm going to go say hi to mom. Want to come?" You offer a hand. 

"Sure." 

You head deep into the brothel, to a room hidden behind some curtains. Portraits of entertainers past decorate a large altar where flowers and small gifts have been left. You collect the painting of your mother and hold it to your chest before setting it on a different altar. A much smaller one carved into the wall with intricate patterns painted around it. 

"Hi mom, I'm back. I meant to swing by the last time I was here but…well you know. Work doesn't stop."

The portrait stares back at you.

"I brought a friend this time. His name is Viktor, he's a scientist. I think you would like him."

Viktor watches you talk, his gut telling him to leave, that this was a sacred moment he shouldn't be intruding on. 

"--it isn't the same, but I think this year will be my year. So, keep an eye out for me, okay?" 

You place your mother back on her spot and turn to Viktor. 

"I just thought she should meet you." 

He doesn't answer and instead only nods. 

"Okay, I have one last place to show you and then we can go back to the Academy if you want." You lead him out and up a few flights of stairs. 

The atmosphere of this floor is very different from the rest of the building. The doors are simple with name plates on each one. Viktor follows you to a door with your name on it and watches you fish out a key from your pocket. 

"I know the others wouldn't touch my stuff but…I like to know it's all locked up in here." You push open the door and flick a switch that lights up the room with a dim orange glow. 

Viktor cautiously steps in, taking note of the room. A bed for two with hand-sewn sheets. An overstuffed cushion in the corner surrounded by books. River-glass mobiles that hang from the ceiling. Photos hung on the wall that Viktor can only assume are of you and your mother. There's a single window that looks out over the shorter buildings. In the distance music still plays. 

"Thought maybe we could take a break from everyone for a moment." You flop back onto your bed and the mattress groans. 

"They certainly are a lot." Viktor agrees.

"Thoughts?" 

"They really care about you, and…they were…so friendly. It was nice." He cautiously sits down at the foot of the bed. 

"They like you. Which is good." You release a breath you didn't realize you were holding.

Viktor fixes his gaze out the window, his mind beginning to turn thoughts over. His stomach had been fluttering again and all he could think about was what Madam Priscilla said to him. Then about what he told himself yesterday.  

Your eyes begin to shut as you relax into the mattress. Just a minute. A minute to rest your eyes before going back out. You yawn loudly and let your mind slow down. The space next to you shifts when Viktor lays next to you.

"You leave soon." he says, looking straight up at the ceiling. 

"I do." You confirm

"I don't want you to."

"Aww, got too used to having me around?" You roll onto your side and grin.

Viktor doesn’t look at you, "Yes. I enjoy your company." 

Your smile falls and your heart flutters.

"O-oh. Well, you've been nice to hang around too." 

Your brain kicks it into overdrive, ready to pick apart everything he says. 

But you don't need to.

"I would like to think of you as more than a friend, more like a…lover. A-a partner in the romantic sense." He then turns to face you, cheeks visibly red even in the low light of your room. 

Your brain shuts off. Viktor has feelings for you?! For you! Sure you had some suspicion but sometimes people are just friendly! Or don't realize what they say can come off rather flirtatious! Or or or! You! Feelings! He likes you!  Your stomach flips over. Feelings! Romantic feelings! 

A hand on your own stops your thoughts from reeling.

"I'm. Sorry." Viktor says softly, "I shouldn't have said anything."

Oh no! No no no! 

In your brain fried state you pull Viktor into your chest, rather awkwardly since he's a decent amount taller, and hold him there. Hesitantly he brings his arms around your torso. He takes a deep and shaky breath.

"Say it again. Please." You declare.

"I think of you as more than a friend." He says into your chest.

"Again. Fewer words." 

"I like you." His hold around you tightens.

"Again!" You laugh.

"I like you!" 

You turn into a giggling fit, heart racing, nerves tingling, "Again!" 

Viktor smiles brightly and presses a kiss to your cheek, "I like you." Then another kiss. And another, and another, continuous feather light kisses across your cheeks that have you both smiling and laughing like idiots. You're so preoccupied with the attention that you don't realize Viktor has shuffled so that he is kneeling over you. 

"I've wanted to say something for a while now." He leans back, putting more weight on his strong leg. 

"Why didn't you?" Your hands rest on his thighs.

"Why didn't you ?" He parrots back.

You look away, "I…was afraid. I wasn't sure how you felt and…deep down I was afraid you would get to know more of me and be…disgusted."

"Disgusted? Why would I be?"

You debate divulging your history to your new love, but instead tell yourself " tomorrow, I want to have one good night to remember."

"Can we talk about it later?" You tangle your fingers around his. 

Viktor releases a long sigh, "Of course. It's Frostnight, it's no time to dwell on serious matters." 

You nod and close your eyes, "Now I don't know about you, but I want to take a nap then maybe wander around? I hear there are some good bands playing and I'd like to show you around since you've been gone." 

You can hear the smile in the way Viktor chuckles and drops back to your side. He adjusts himself so that you can prop your head on his chest and hear how his heart is beating quickly. He smells like wood-smoke, coffee, and faintly of oil. It's a scent that perfectly suits him and before you realize it, you're drifting off again. 

His arm drapes around your waist and he rubs circles into the small of your back. You feel him press his lips to your head and say something your exhausted mind can't quite understand.

Whatever. You'll ask when you wake from your nap.

Viktor wakes to your face pressed into his neck, drool gathered on the corner of your mouth, and your hands slipped under his shirt so that your palms are flat on his back. By the sounds outside and from downstairs he couldn't have been asleep for more than maybe an hour. He doesn't want to move just yet so he can savor this sweetly intimate moment. 

Instead he carefully cranes his head around to inspect what he can. There are dozens of drawings pinned and taped to the walls, some look like studies of nearby buildings, others are sketches of aids like braces and canes, and a few seem to be done by a different artist for they are much more refined and elegant, even if they are abstract. He looks over at the photos on your nightstand, all of them old since they have who he can recognize as your mother and a child. The child looks vaguely familiar, one photo has them in a dress clearly made to get dirty in, another is the same child but older with their hair done up in a messy bun with a grumpy expression while hands from someone out of frame are holding their face and applying lipstick. Viktor glances at you for a moment, then the child in the picture.

Oh.

Interesting.

One of the frames is face down, but is just in arms reach for Viktor to grab so he can look at it. 

It's you. Perhaps ten or so years younger, but undeniably you. Your hair is disastrously cut short, all choppy and uneven, a crooked smile on your face, and your arms wrapped around your mother's shoulders. However she looks…nearly skeletal. Her face has sunken in, hair stringy and messy, eyes hazy and unfocused. Viktor realizes the photo is taken from a bed. A hospital bed. 

"She passed the next day." Your voice says quietly, "And the day before she scolded me for cutting my hair again." 

"She really loved you." He replies just as quietly.

"She did…even if I was a mess of a kid for her to raise. Hell she spent days making me a nice dress for some party for when I came home for good and then…well." You trail off.

"You were, for lack of a better term, different?" The casual tone of his voice gives you pause. 

"Y-yeah. Different."

"What did she do?" He runs his fingers through your hair.

"Stayed up all night turning it into a vest and slacks." 

"She loved you so much."

You feel tears stinging behind your eyelids. You could tell Viktor seems to have some kind of understanding about you and who you are, but there is still a nagging worry in your head. What if he doesn't actually understand? You told yourself you would explain tomorrow, but the opportunity is now sitting in your lap.

"Viktor, what if…I wasn't…nor-"

His finger on your lips cut you off, "Whatever you want to say about your- how did you put it?- 'uncooperative' body, do not. I fell for you because of you . You are Cyril, the man who stubbornly wormed his way into my life and doesn't take 'no' for an answer." 

Whatever words you had prepared are now dead on your tongue. Most of your previous partners or one night stands didn't really bring attention to it, and the ones who did reacted poorly leaving you distressed and emotionally wrecked, but Viktor? You couldn't comprehend the swell of emotions he had just planted in your heart. 

"Now, I believe you said you wanted to go see the sights?" He carefully gets off the bed and brushes the wrinkles out of his shirt. 

"Y-yeah I. Yeah." You shake your head, "Wait Viktor, I, hold on. Okay. Let me be upfront."

He motions for you to continue.

"I would be lying if I said I had no interest in stripping you down and making you scream my name until your throat goes dry, but uhm…"

"Oh, Cyril, don't worry. You aren't the first man I've had the pleasure of eating out." He turns for the door, "And, trust me, you'll be the one screaming louder ." 

You watch him leave, your heart pounds in your chest like a drum and your stomach flips. 

The Entresol level is lively in a different way. Where the Lanes is filled with partying and music, the Entresol has transformed into a night market.  

The ground level is lined with home-made stalls selling various wares from food, to clothes that don't fit, to unneeded tools, to crafts made by steady hand, to even cages with small creatures inside. The space above is a spider's web of hanging lights, flags, ribbons, incense burners, and plants in baskets. Beyond that you can see the twinkle of the stars above, occasionally covered by the stray cloud. 

Viktor takes your hand in his and leans into you a little as the two of you stroll along. He makes a point to stop at every stall so he can investigate. Some of the vendors recognize Viktor from when he was a child and babble on about how mature he is now and how handsome he is and oh how nice it is to see him again after all those years. Viktor just nods, smiling, while you poke and prod at whatever is on the table. 

"I always think about how despite everything, Zaun thrives." Your companion comments, watching a pack of children throwing a ball among themselves as they run through the streets.

"You think if Piltover got its head outta its ass everyone would see how alive we are?" You munch on a pretzel.

He shrugs and steals a bite. 

"Imagine if a Chem-Baron got on the council? The chaos. The absolute insanity." You wave your arms to accentuate your point.

Viktor chuckles at your display, "Yes, yes it would be. But imagine the opposite. What if Piltover left us all alone? Saw us as neighboring sovereign instead of as dirt under its shoe?" 

You ponder the idea. An independent Zaun. Huh. 

The conversation stops there and you allow the ambient noise of the market to fill the space. Viktor leans on you a little more for support, his leg getting tired, you guide him to a small cluster of seats where a woman is playing her guitar and singing. 

From here you can look out over the Lanes, over the Sumps, and even to the Dredge further down. The green light of the city doesn't feel sickly, it pulses with the energy of its people. Glittering strips of paper ride the warm updraft into the sky, shimmering like stars that have visited from space. Children weave in and out of crowds, throwing balls of chalk at each other which explode into clouds of colorful dust. You pull your jacket in tighter and drape an arm over Viktor's shoulder.

"So what do you think? Missed celebrating?" 

"It's so much more lively than I remember."

"I doubt Priscilla would mind if you were my plus one every year."

Viktor gives a thoughtful hum, "I think I could do that." 

You meet his eyes and smile. He lightly kisses your cheek, then your brow, down your nose, and finally to your lips. Everywhere his lips touched are warm and tingly like the feeling of a first love. He's nothing but tender when he cups your jaw and deepens the kiss, drawing a soft and delighted sigh from you. 

It's more than just warm. It's safe, secure, yet cautious in the same ways you've seen Viktor work around his theories. When he pulls back his cheeks are nearly glowing with how flushed he is. 

You aren't much better, any comment you had is now dead in your throat. So instead you scoot in closer and hug him, your head resting on his shoulder. The world around you is nothing but a buzz of sound and color, all that matters is you and Viktor. In the back of your mind you know the day will end and you'll both be back up top, finishing out the week, and going your separate ways. 

"Now I think I've had my fill of fun for the evening. Mind if we head back?" Viktor nudges you.

"Oh, yeah. Mind if I say goodbye and we can head back up?" 

"I was actually thinking…we could stay the rest of the night here? It's not like I have anywhere to be." The way he trails off the sentence makes you lean in.

"Except for between your legs." He whispers into your ear. 

Chapter Text

You ignore the sounds of your family as you lead Viktor back into the brothel, ignore how Odette says "don't break him now", ignore the dry laugh of the Madam when you turn the corner to the front end of the business where the rooms are much more lavish and made for what you're going to do. 

The one you find is simple, a large plush mattress covered in various cushions and sheets, in the corner is a hookah that has been used for decades, from the ceiling hang lights with ceramic shades that make the room look like it's full of stars. Viktor already has your lips to his as he backs you in and you go toppling backwards, taking him with you. 

The air around him has changed, the once aloof and cautious persona he used around everyone is replaced with something you can only describe as hungry. He looks at you the same way he looks at his work right before he has a breakthrough, focused and determined. He rolls your bottom lip between his teeth, then overtakes your mouth with his tongue when you gasp. 

"I've wanted to see you under me since your little stunt last week." He growls, hands moving yours above your head, "What a dirty trick to get me to eat." He holds your wrists together in one slender hand.

"It worked didn't it?" You laugh and bend your leg so he can take some of the weight off his bad knee and lean onto yours.

"Never said it didn't, just said it was dirty." His other hand slides around your tie. You're slowly handing over control, testing the waters to see where Viktor wants to take this.

"For someone who acts so indifferent, you sure know what you like." You flex your leg and smirk when Viktor rubs against it.

He purses his lips in thought, like he's going to answer, then pulls your tie like you're a dog on a leash so your face is inches from his, "Trial and error my dear." He says, lips now barely grazing yours, but never fully touching. 

It sets a fire in your heart and your cock aches to be touched. 

"Are you fine with this?" He asks, eyes still hungry but clear with genuine care for you.

"Yes. Show me what you can do." The words come out breathier than you like, but they have the same effect. 

Viktor's hands nimbly pick apart the buttons on your vest, then the ones on your shirt, revealing your bare chest to the world. He smiles and draws small teasing patterns down your sternum and across your ribs, like he's writing a love letter to your body. He chuckles when your abdomen tenses as he runs the pads of his fingers across the soft skin and follows up with gentle kisses. You sigh when he licks slowly from your navel to your neck and how his hand on your wrists tightens when you try to move them.

"Good boy." He praises and kisses the tender skin on your neck, then presses his teeth to the spot and sucks. Your toes curl and you want to kick your legs from the divine sensation. You want to talk back, try and fight a little for control, but it feels too good to be laid out and meticulously tended to.

"I've thought about having you like this for a while." Viktor confesses, "I bet if we were both a little more bold we would have spent more time fooling around and less time frustrated with each other." He moves his bruising kisses up to your jaw, leaving you moaning at every one.

"Sorry I don't usually make a habit of sleeping with my clients." You reply.

"Looks like I'm special." He smiles and presses a sweeter kiss to your cheek.

"Mmm, very." You close your eyes and smile when the hand on your chest moves to stroke your hair. He plants his lips back on yours and finds your tie again. With practiced motions he slips the fabric from your neck and brings it to your wrists, carefully tying them together. The knot is firm but not tight enough to cut off your circulation.

"Good boy." Viktor praises again and uses both hands now to map out your chest, leaving you sighing and moaning quietly for more, "Now I'm going to make sure I use you until you're limp and shaking in my arms. Too sensitive and worn out to make a sound. Is that alright?" 

You nod.

"Use your words dear." He sits back on his calves, which will definitely be aching in the morning, and slowly begins to strip off his own layers.

"Y-yes." Your words catch in your throat and come out much more timidly.

"Yes what?" Viktor makes a show of slowly pulling his undershirt over his head, revealing alabaster skin dotted with freckles, moles, and small scars. 

"Yes…yes sir ." 

Once you had heard someone say Jayce looked like he was cast in the bronze used to make his family's hammers, and you would agree with how sturdy and rough yet perfect he looked. But Viktor . Viktor looked like a delicate ivory sculpture. Carved from a rare and raw material into something absolutely breathtaking. A work of art so refined that just the sight of it makes you cry. 

You want to touch him. Cherish him. Explore him. You want to curl into his lithe frame and never let go. Despite how angular and fragile he looks you can tell that beneath the surface is a passion and dedication that is stronger than anything. 

"--il" 

"Wh-what?" You snap back and blink.

"I can't lose you now, I haven't even started." Viktor huffs out a laugh.

"I…you're so handsome. " It's all you can say before you're absolutely entranced by him again. His cheeks turn dark red. 

"Hush. You'll have plenty of time to fawn and coo over me." He slides his hands down to your waistband, "Am I still okay?" 

"Yes sir."

Cool fingers hook into your slacks and carefully pulls them down your legs, next go your boxers, and the cooler air makes the heat between your legs feel more than noticeable. Viktor smiles wickedly and leans over you as he palms the hot flesh at the junction of your thighs. You hum in pleasure and look at him from the corner of your eye. 

"You don't give yourself enough credit, you're just as handsome my dear." He pecks your cheek. You grin wider and blush. 

In your blissful distraction, you don't notice how Viktor has changed his rhythm and only realize it when two long and slender fingers press past your folds and deep inside.

The sound you make can only be described as desperate when you arch into his touch. It has been weeks, or maybe months, since someone had been inside you. Even longer since anyone actually took their time. 

You wiggle and sigh when Viktor scissors his fingers with calculated precision. He stretches your walls so delightfully, making sure nothing goes unattended to. He leans down, chest against yours and picks up the pace. The pounding of his heart thrums in time with yours, his kisses and bites along your neck are relentless, and his name falls off your tongue like a prayer. 

He curls his fingers upwards towards your stomach and you see stars. Your legs kick and your back arches when he repeats the motion. 

"There we are. Good boy, such a good good boy. I can feel you pulsing around me. I bet you're close." Viktor's voice is like silk, enveloping you in a tantalizing warmth as he drags you closer and closer to your orgasm. 

Then he stops. 

And you make the most pitiful whine.

And Viktor laughs. 

"Don't fret, I'm not cruel." He kisses your cheek then scoots off you, "Roll over~"

You squint but do as you're told. 

"Get your cute ass in the air." He playfully smacks your ass. You obey again, feeling a little silly for how easily you've let yourself hand over all control. 

"Now this is a sight." The bed dips when Viktor moves and you feel him thumb your folds apart. 

"Ffffuck…" you breathe when he teasingly slips his fingers around your wetness. 

"Soon dear." 

The bed dips again and you hear Viktor shuffle through his clothes then a soft "aha!" followed by the sound of foil tearing.

You roll your eyes and look over your shoulder.

"Stop beating around the bush or I'll tie you up." You snort and wiggle your ass.

"Ah maybe later." He presses the head of his cock to your entrance and instantly your stomach drops. The tension in your gut squeezes. Your lungs stop for a moment.

"I plan to break you my dear. But if it gets to be too much just tell me to stop." He runs a hand up your back, leaving sparks of electricity in its wake. You hum in pleasure and sigh.

"Do your worst ." 

The first thrust, you gasp. He's buried deep inside, his hips flush with your ass. Your walls ache. You're burning from the inside. 

The second thrust, you scream. It hurts . It hurts so good . Your head drops to the pillow. You clutch the sheet. Viktor says something but you can't focus. 

The third thrust, you moan. Loud and guttural like he's punched the air out of you. His hand tangles in your hair and pulls your head back. Drool is already hanging from your lips. You look at your hands bound in front of you.

"Are you sure you want my worst? " Viktor leans in close, breath tickling your ear.

" Yes ." The word comes out strangled but the message is clear. Viktor goes for another hard thrust, and another, another, faster and faster.

Skin slaps skin. You nearly howl at how his dick abuses your cunt. He moans with his mouth wide open as he remains hunched over you. 

Sweat collects on your bodies. Viktor keeps one hand pulling your hair while the other rubs your ass until he removes it and brings it back down with a loud smack. 

You cry out his name when he brings his hand down again. He praises you with every impact, never relenting on his harsh thrusts. The fire under your skin burns at a fever pitch. 

The pain. The pleasure. It all mixes together in a wonderful haze that clouds your mind. You rock back and forth to catch the thrusts even harder, making Viktor moan louder. 

"Good boy. So so good. You take my cock so well it's like you were made for me." 

His words tumble out clumsily. He shudders against your skin and bites more marks into your shoulder.

" I love you ." He breathes, " I would move the stars for you, ahh~,  part the oceans for, mmmm, you…" 

He tucks his hand between your thighs and tugs at the swollen nerves of your own cock. You see stars behind your eyes and you clamp down around Viktor. The orgasm breaks through you violently like an attack and you're screaming. Screaming swears, praises, his name, unintelligible sounds, everything you can into the pillow.

Viktor moans against your back and his cock twitches in your writhing muscles. 

Then he collapses all his weight on you and the two of you are a sweaty pile on the cushions. 

"Are you okay?" You ask. 

"Are you okay?" He parrots back.

"Never better. Besides uhhh, feeling like jelly from the waist down." 

Viktor slowly pulls out and takes care of disposing of his condom, which is a chore when he tries to stand and finds his bad leg has decided to go completely out of commission but he manages, then flops back next to you and tangles himself in your limbs.

"I meant it, you know." He lazily rubs circles on your stomach, "About moving the stars and seas for you."

"I know. And I know you could if you really wanted to." You feel your limbs grow heavy and ache. But you know you aren't done. No no. You want to make sure you're able to reciprocate what you just experienced. So with what little strength you have left, you roll over and plant a misplaced kiss on his jaw when you were aiming for his lips.

"Mmm yes?" He chuckles.

"Wanna make you feel good…" 

"You already have." 

You lie there for a second in thought.

"Viktor?"

He hums.

"Can you untie me?"

Chapter Text

The next morning is slow and sluggish to start. Clothes that were once hastily tossed off to the floor have been recently washed and pressed and folded next to the plush mattress you're on with a little note.

"Say goodbye before you leave

-Priscilla" 

You gently shake Viktor awake and he grumbles in protest but slowly opens his eyes and gives you a weak smile. 

"Ah good, last night wasn't a dream." He pats your hand and carefully stands, looking for his cane. 

You hand it to him along with his clothes and begin dressing yourself.

"So, what do we do from here on out?" You ask while buttoning your shirt.

"Well we only have about…four days until students begin to return. And I suppose I've made enough progress on my own that I could take a break. So I suppose, we do whatever we want?"

You smile wide at Viktor's suggestion then slide in for a light hug.

"I would like that."

When you find the Madam, she's tucked away in a nook of the house with a book in her hands. Her pipe is clenched between her teeth as lazy plumes of smoke drift into the air.

"Thought you were quitting that shit." You laugh and lean against the wall.

"Ahh. Allow an old bitch like me to enjoy herself." She chuckles roughly and closes her book, "You both headed out?" 

You nod your head and Viktor says a quiet "Yes ma'am." 

"Well then, don't be a stranger okay? You know how much we miss you." 

"I'll try. Promise." You let her take your hand and pull you down into a hug.

She plants a wet kiss on your cheek and lets go, only to look at Viktor.

"And you! You be kind to Cyril okay?" She points accusingly at him.

"I plan on it." 

Priscilla smiles and motions him closer so she can hug him as well. 

"You're a good kid Viktor. Got a good head on good shoulders. Come by anytime." 

You notice how Viktor's arms tremble a little before he is released.

The Lanes are quiet as you and Viktor make your way back topside. Most businesses are still closed, windows dark and empty, and the streets are devoid of their usual life. But the silence isn't unwelcome. Zaun is just resting, recharging for another day of survival. 

Viktor takes it all in just as quietly, his golden eyes evaluating every little detail. He quietly hums to himself and leans on you a bit more heavily than before, probably from his knee being sore. But you don't mind and let the quiet world around you sink in one last time as you step onto the gondola.

"So. Vander passed away." Viktor says quietly.

"Yeah. Killed by Silco. His goons were more than ecstatic to spread the news." You tangle your fingers together.

"They were friends once…right?" 

You nod, "Yep. Then some shit happened and it all fell apart." 

"Now it's falling apart again." 

"Silco's taken over a lot of the city. Through force or money or drugs, only a matter of time before it becomes what kills him." 

Viktor looks at you.

"Men in power always become their own downfall." You look distantly out the window towards the docks.

The fishing ships are coming in. Your stomach turns. 

"They become obsessed. They crave more and more under the guise of 'a good cause' and it kills them." You thoughtlessly walk to the glass and keep watching the ships. 

Say what you want, but it's what he deserved. Idiot thought that his corporate buyout stunt would work, but all it did was put a bigger target on his back.

You scowl and bang your hand on the glass. A fire burns in your gut. Laughter erupts in the back of your mind, deep and mocking. 

That's why you take control slowly. Make them get used to you. Soon they're yours without any struggle and you stay on top. 

Your stomach churns again. Viktor places a hand on your upper back and rubs soothing circles. He leads you off the gondola and through the cold and busy Piltover streets back towards the academy. 

He wants to ask more about the changes down below, about what Silco has already tainted with his greed. But he saw how upset you were explaining it and decides that now is not the time.

A frigid gust blows through him, his knee aches terribly and will certainly be locked up in pain soon. There should be leftover stew from earlier, perhaps he'll ask you to get him some while he showers and changes to relax in his own bed. He knows you'd be more than happy to get him to rest. 

The entrance to the academy comes into view, the golden lamplight a beacon through the dreary surroundings. Viktor does his best to pick up the pace despite his body's protests. Once inside he watches you visibly shake off the cold and tap the snow from your boots. 

"Piltover is pretty and all in the winter but it's too damn cold." You say walking to the dorms.

"I agree. I think I'd rather stay inside the rest of the season." Viktor chuckles.

"You'd rather stay inside regardless." You notice how his gait is stiffer, slower, "How about you go get cleaned up and I'll make us something nice and warm? I'm sure your leg is screaming to stop moving."

"Could we have the rest of that stew you made?" He watches your lips quirk upwards in a smile.

"Of course. I'll swing by in an hour?" 

"Sounds like a plan." Viktor leans over and presses a kiss to your cheek, then your nose, and then your lips, before splitting off to his dorm.

The hot water feels like a blessing, soothing the icy chill from Viktor's body. He carefully props his leg up on the lip of his tub and massages the tender muscles. 

Maybe having sex on a floor mattress wasn't a great idea.

He chuckles to himself and stands up. It hurts . Lightning sharp pain flies through his nerves. At this rate he'll need to start using his crutch daily. Even the lightest amount of pressure is agonizing and his knee feels like it wants to collapse on itself. 

Hell it might not be long until he needs a wheelchair. 

The sketch of the chair you drew returns to the forefront of his mind, then the various drawings on your walls back at your home. He would need to ask when you brought dinner. 

"Viktor?"

Speak of the devil.

"I'm ah…I'm in the bathroom, I could use some assistance." He calls back, now sitting on the lip of the tub, "Could you grab my crutch from next to the bed?" 

Viktor does his best to wrap up in a towel and waits for you. Suddenly he feels very aware of his body and how disappointed he is with it. Sure, his leg never worked right from the day he was born, and it usually didn't bother him that he wasn't the fastest to get anywhere, but the thought of how bad his body hurt in this moment was depressing. He was only in his mid twenties, the prime of his life as some would say!  But there was still the nagging thought of how quickly he could start deteriorating. How much time did he have until his body gave out? 

How much work could he get done until collapsed?

"I brough--oh…Viktor? Viktor, what's wrong?" You're kneeling in front of him, a hand on his lap and another wiping away tears he didn't realize had gathered. 

"I just. Overdid it a little today. Thank you for bringing me my cane. I'll be out in a moment." He dismisses you distantly and while you want to stay and help, you recognize the need for Viktor to dress himself. So you leave and set up dinner next to his reading chair, making sure to have extra pillows and blankets at the ready. 

When Viktor does emerge he looks better, there's a healthy flush to his fair skin, and his face doesn't seem as gaunt. His eyes light up when he sees dinner and hurries as best he can to the chair. You drape a blanket over his lap and hand him a bowl of hearty stew that he immediately digs into. You pull up your own chair and eat as well.

"I've been meaning to ask you, " Viktor says between spoonfuls, "Did you draw all those canes and braces?"

You stop mid chew and stare wide eyed at him. 

Right, he was in your room. He would have seen them.

"Well…yes. When mom was…dying, she needed help getting around. She had a friend for a while who also used a cane and leg braces for their crooked spine, and they would help adjust their old ones for her. I sort of…was interested so I started drawing them." 

Viktor nods slowly, taking in your words, "Some seemed more like…blueprints than observations." 

"I wanted to be able to step up if I needed to. I never actually made one, but I wanted to see if I could at least design something." 

"You never cease to amaze me." He smiles at you. 

Your heart skips a beat and you flush, "Oh quiet, you." 

Viktor leans over and tucks a hair behind your ear then kisses your forehead. He smiles against your skin then returns to his dinner. 

The silence settles around you like a warm blanket and you look outside to see the beginning of another snowfall. The orange lights outside slowly fade into the grey clouds. You see people hurrying home before the weather kicks up and gets worse. The radiator clangs to life just in time to stave off the oncoming nightly chill. And all of Piltover quiets down for a long, snowy night.

Chapter Text

Viktor awakens in the middle of the night to the sound of you breathing heavily and sobbing into your arms. He hears you swearing and apologizing under your breath as you rock back and forth on the mattress. He watches your form, curled in on itself, shaking and trembling before one of your arms shoots out and slams on the nightstand. 

You howl in pain and grip your stinging arm. Viktor pulls you into his chest and strokes your hair.

"Darling. Love. It's just a nightmare." He soothes. Your body shudders when you inhale.

"I'm here. It can't hurt you." 

Your crying stops for a moment as you utter, "Yes it can. " 

"It was just a dream." 

"He's gonna find me." 

"No he won't." Viktor plants a kiss on your head. Whatever nightmare you had still seemed to have a hold on your emotions.

"He will. He will. He will." You begin trembling again.

Viktor slips his fingers under your chin and turns your face to his.

"He won't. I promise."

Your tear-stained face nearly breaks his heart. Sheer distress glosses over your eyes, and your teeth are clenched hard enough to chip. Gentle circles are traced over your cheek and you unwrap your arms from your body to cling to Viktor's thin torso. 

"Should I get you some tea? Relax your nerves?"

You nod and hold onto Viktor's arm as he leads you into the small kitchen. 

Outside the window, Piltover is silent and dark. The lamps that illuminate the roads have long been extinguished leaving only the pale moonlight to cast long shadows across fresh snow. Viktor grabs his kettle, fills it, and sets it on the single burner stove. He fishes around the newly stocked pantry for his hidden stash of teas and coffees he'd collected over the years. 

"Aha!" He smiles and grabs a small white enamel tin with flowers embossed on the top, "Looks like I didn't drink it all." He then opens another cabinet and grabs two mugs for the both of you. 

Viktor spares a glance over his shoulder at you and takes note of your distant stare. 

"What happened?" He asks, measuring out the sugar for his tea.

"My father found me." You reply automatically.

Viktor hums and nods. You'd never mentioned your father before, but considering your upbringing he didn't feel it was ever appropriate to ask. As far as Viktor was concerned, you never mentioned it because he was never around. 

"He found me and everyone I knew hated me." You lean against the window, staring far out into the night.

"Sounds terrible." 

"You hated me. You told me awful things." 

Viktor stops his preparation and looks at you again. 

"I could never hate you." 

You're silent for a beat.

"Crestwalker." 

"Excuse me?" Viktor holds out a mug of tea.

You accept it and look down at the deep amber liquid, "My last name. It's Crestwalker."

"As in. The fishery? The family Crestwalker?" Viktor places his drink down. From what he could recall, the Crestwalker Fisheries held a near monopoly on all of Piltover's seafood market with a lineage that traveled all the way back to the first settlers of the nation. However the family itself stayed out of Piltover's more industrious and innovative affairs, so there wasn't much interest for Viktor to pursue. 

"The very same. My father is next in line to inherit the family empire." You take a sip and burn your tongue.

"And I assume he leaves much to be desired?" 

You nod and take another sip, ignoring the stinging in your mouth, "Yep. Technically I wasn't supposed to be caught up in his whole mess. But his wife couldn't seem to bear a child, a successor, so he conveniently remembered my mother and their one night stand that resulted in me." 

Viktor remains silent. 

"He had me scrubbed down raw, beaten into shape, and ready to prove to his mother that he could properly take over. The woman laughed at him, I paid the price of his embarrassment." You tap the crooked bridge of your nose where it had broken long ago from the impact of being shoved face down to the floor, "He drank himself stupid and two days later his wife announces she's pregnant."

You look at Viktor with tired, red eyes, "So off I go to become part of the house crew where dear father can keep an eye on me just in case he needs a backup child again. I learned a lot from those maids, smart girls, clever, resourceful."

"But now you're here." 

"Only because of a stupid contract." 

Viktor looks hurt when you say that.

"When I came of age I got tossed out. However the head of the family did leave me with her own recommendation letter, sealed and all. But I went home, took care of mom, and when she died I found work with the Kirammans. They've been nice, honestly they have, but I know a bribe when I see one. And getting the first catch of the season every year is a nice way of saying 'Thanks for keeping your mouth shut about this'. My father knows who's employed me and it scares me to think that he may come to ruin it all." 

"Thank you for telling me this…I can understand why it distresses you." Viktor says cautiously, "But I doubt your father would come knocking if he kicked you out."

You take slow long sips as he talks.

"After all. You've been out of there for almost a decade now? No one up here searches for people like us unless there's money involved." 

The words sting like the burnt tip of your tongue, but you know it's true.

"Does Jayce know?" 

You nod, "I feel…disgusting when I think about it. Like, I could have used that time to understand Piltover, figured out ways to help those down below, I could have probably taken over if I was smart enough. But…but…"

"You were surviving." Viktor cuts in and wraps an arm around you, "You were living in a place where the attention you got was for appearances only. Where the people never wanted to understand you…" he kisses the top of your head. 

You sniffle as the tears begin to roll down your cheeks again. How could Viktor be so kind and understanding about this when every other partner you had that learned of your ties immediately berated you? Why was he so calm and gentle when you were used to others calling you a 'bastard traitor'? He thumbs away your tears and murmurs comforting words to help soothe you. 

"There there my dear. You're alright."

You exhale slowly and rest your head on Viktor's shoulder, "I know it's irrational. But I can't shake that fear. Just, what if they take me away from everything I've worked for?"

"Then you'll adapt and survive because you're tough." 

You go silent, soaking in the solemn atmosphere. The dim light from the kitchen casts a soft halo around the two of you while shadows of snowflakes fall down the walls. You want the world to stop, just for a moment. To really let Viktor's words take hold on your brain. You want to stay here for as long as you can since the holiday break is ending and you'll be back at your old post. You don't want to leave.

Because for once in your life you've found a home in the arms of someone who understands you. 

It's not fair that you'll have to leave. 

It's not--

"Would you like to come to the lab with me?" 

Your spiraling thoughts stop. 

"What?"

"Let's go to the lab for a little. I have an idea." 

And before you know it, Viktor is leading you through the halls of the academy in your pajamas, in the middle of the night, down to the labs. 

He pushes through the heavy doors and flips on the lights. The room is illuminated with a warm orange glow and the heat from the forge burning slowly has kept the room at a comfortable temperature. You are led to a rolling stool across from the chalkboard that Viktor has written all over with equations you haven't the faintest idea how to read. He smiles a little and mumbles a quiet "trust me" when he turns around and flips the board to the opposite side which is clear of any writing.

"You've helped me so much, let me help you." He takes a stick of chalk and begins to draw something on the board, "You told me that sometimes problems work out after you leave them alone, and you've shown an aptitude for structural design…" 

He steps back to reveal a simple, but accurate, drawing of a human leg.

"If you were to design a brace to support a leg that suffers from dislocations at the knee and ankle…" He circles the focus areas on the leg, "But it needs to accommodate a person who needs to be…fairly mobile." 

"So a brace for you?" It doesn't take a genius to figure out what he's getting at.

"No." Viktor says a little too quickly, "A…A colleague."

"Of course."

He holds out the chalk, "I want you to show me what you would do."

You accept the offer and take a closer look at the drawing. 

A brace for Viktor. Something that would work with him. Something sleek, lightweight, minimal, simple. Sturdy. 

"Well. The brace would need to be sturdy enough for everyday use," You begin writing out key words in unrefined scrawl, "but also light and minimal enough to not impair movement." 

Simple lines take form along the thigh and calf. 

"The strongest points would be around the knee and ankle." 

You write: " extra reinforcement" with arrows pointing to the noted joints, then write: "secure to shoe?" Before sketching a basic frame around the foot.

"And since it would be worn for extended periods of time…" you note " Cushions " next to the thigh where you have drawn the top of the brace. 

Slowly the device takes shape while you work. The idea of Viktor wearing something you designed makes your heart flutter in your chest. You can feel his eyes on you, watching you work with passion and dedication. But you don't feel nervous, instead a small fire burns inside, wanting to show just what you can do. The one thing you taught yourself. 

The skill you honed to try and make your mother's life a little easier. Perhaps if things had been different, you would've been able to attend a proper trade school, learned under an actual engineer, become someone who made a difference in the lives of those who needed it. Maybe if fortune had been a little bit more in your favor, and your father actually loved you…

You step back from the board and look at your work. 

"It's uh…rough. And I don't really know the mechanics of it…but…this is a start?" 

The layout of the brace is simple enough, with a bit of angular flair that is common in Piltover. Random words litter the board from your strings of thoughts. 

"You really are something else." Viktor leans against your back and loosely wraps his arms around your waist, "It's a solid design, not perfect but definitely something that with a few tweaks would work." He kisses your cheek. 

"Th-thank you. I…needed this." The adrenaline from your nightmare and spiraling thoughts has finally calmed down and you can feel the returning exhaustion start to weigh on you.

"Anytime. Now, I can't believe I'm saying this, but we should return to bed." 

You nod and yawn. 

Getting back under the covers with Viktor feels better the second time. He aligns himself against the natural curvature of your body and sighs deeply. You can feel his breathing slow until he is gently snoring into your neck. Tufts of brown hair tickle your nose and his brows twitch ever so slightly. His skin is soft against your except for his hands, which are rough from years of tinkering that rest on the flat of your back. The warmth that radiates from him is calming and you can feel sleep creeping back into your mind. Your eyes grow heavy and your senses dull as you too drift off to sleep.

Miles away, Jayce Talis boards the trolley back to his patrons' household. He quietly hopes to himself that his best friend and closest attendant have managed to get along. He clutches his notebook, now filled with new ideas and theories on how to stabilize the Hexcrystal. 

Elsewhere, as the late night rolls into early morning, a maid finds the matriarch of the estate collapsed on the parlor floor. Unresponsive. 

Chapter Text

It's 10:43 am when Jayce arrives back at the gates of the Kiramman estate. The grounds keepers are finishing clearing the fresh snow from the pavement as Caitlyn makes her final lap to the front door.

She waves to her friend and meets him as the carriage pulls to a stop at the front door. However when Jayce exits, he notices something very, very wrong on her face. 

"Jayce! Oh good. We have a problem." She pulls him into the house. 

"Hi to you too. What's going- what's going on?" Jayce stumbles over the threshold.

Caitlyn says nothing and instead opts to lead him to her father's study where she hands him an opened envelope. But Jayce doesn't need to read the letter to know who it's from, for as clear as day the Crestwalker emblem is stamped on the flap of the envelope. 

"Oh no." He mutters, now skimming the contents of the letter, "Ohhh no no. Fuck!" 

Jayce drops the letter on the table and sprints out the door, praying to every God he could that there would be some way to keep you out of the oncoming storm.

You wake up at 10:45 am to Viktor very contently snuggled against your back with an arm over your stomach and his spindly legs tucked between your own. He snores quietly into your ear and you allow yourself to soak in the feeling. The world feels calm and right for now, like this is exactly where you are meant to be. 

Carefully you separate and tiptoe to the kitchen to prepare a late breakfast of eggs, toast, bacon, and coffee. The streets outside are freshly shoveled and you watch as a few carriages make their way onto the campus grounds where students return from their holidays. You sigh and remind yourself that you'll be leaving in the next day or so, once Jayce relieves you. 

Perhaps you and Viktor could make a case for you to stay as an assistant or sorts, it wouldn't be the first time students had their house servants at the school for aid. Even if you weren't at the campus all the time, it would be a welcome break from the monotony of house work. It would be nice to keep whatever you had going on with Viktor alive and flourishing. 

It would --

"Ah shit…" You grumble, noticing that you're out of ingredients for breakfast. 

"Good morning to you too." Viktor laughs as he peeks into the kitchen.

"Get dressed, we're going out for breakfast."

"Mmm I dunno," he eyes you up and down, "I think I'm looking at a delicious breakfast in bed ." 

You snort and playfully smack him on the shoulder, "Hush it! You can wait until dessert. " 

Viktor makes a dramatic show of swooning against the door frame, "Why do you wish to starve me?" 

You stick your tongue out and head towards the front door, "Meet me in the lobby at 11am, okay?" 

"Very well my dear." 

You leave and close the door gently behind you. Viktor goes back into his bedroom to get ready for the day. 

His knee still aches and refuses to bend much so Viktor grabs his crutch from the closet as well as the modified brace he made from the one he got from his most recent hospital trip and sorts out something to wear for the day. He then shuffles into the bathroom where he grabs a stool and drags it over to the sink so he can sit and do his morning routine. 

His bones ache in protest, but Viktor presses on, now scrubbing himself down with a rag and soapy water; too sore with not enough time to run a bath. When he shifts in his seat, a white hot pain shoots up his spine and it takes every ounce not to scream. Tears form at his lashes but never spill. He drops the rag on the counter and hangs his head. 

While the rest and break from work was showing some benefit, it was not enough. The pain in his leg still persisted, the joint of his hip still cracked and popped, his lower spine never stopped aching. No matter how much Viktor wanted to deny it, his body was deteriorating. It always had been, from the day he was born. 

Viktor pushes himself up and grabs his crutch to lean on. Despite your care and attention and love, it would never be enough. It would never fix the problem. 

"How much longer…" he mumbles to the silence. 

He thinks of you, your smile, your laugh, your warmth. The dying tender part of his heart wants to keep you forever, grow old with you, share everything with you. But, would you really stay? When his body fails and he cannot walk? Would you not grow tired? Would you feel trapped? Bound to his side? 

Viktor shakes the thoughts, you'll be gone soon anyways. 

You stand alone in the lobby, counting the money you have on hand for breakfast. It's not enough for one of the fancier cafés around, but more than enough for coffee and pastries at the nearby shop. It's your final days and they have to be special. You'll propose your idea to Viktor, make your case when he politely declines since he's modest like that. Backing down is not an option when you've just begun to feel like a proper human again. 

The rhythmic tapping of footsteps offset by the sound of a crutch thumping across the floor makes you turn. Viktor waves meekly at you with a smile. You run over to him and pull him into a warm hug before kissing his cheek.

"We were only apart for fifteen minutes!" Viktor chuckles and plants his own kiss on your nose. 

"So? I can't miss you?" You link your arm with his free one and fall into step.

"I suppose you can." 

A beat of silence. The two of you reach the exit to the academy courtyard. 

"Cy I ha--" "Viktor I'm w--"

Your voices overlap. The door swings open. A gust of frigid air blows snow into the room. Your arm flies to your face to shield it from the icy chill. 

"You, my child, are as slippery as they come." A voice booms.

Your blood runs cold. Your heart stops for a beat. Any thoughts you had were now frozen. Your eyes look downwards to a pair of shined leather boots, slowly trailing up to the unmistakable face of your father. 

Words die on your lips and your legs tremble. 

Viktor stands his ground. He can easily see the resemblance between the two of you. His fingers intertwine with yours and he braves a step forward.

"You must be Mister Crestwalker." He states, voice even and clear.

"I am. I received word that my daughter was assigned to you temporarily."

Daughter . 

Your stomach churns.

" He's been very helpful. Diligent, punctual, intelligent, you must be proud of your son ." 

Your father sneers, "I would be, but it appears she's deceived you too. No matter, I am here to relieve you of her." 

Viktor's hand tightens around yours. Your throat closes, sweat forms on your brow.

"That won't be necessary sir." 

A large, firm hand drops on your shoulder.

"I insist . There has been an emergency at the Crestwalker estate and all family members are required to attend." 

You want to fight. You want to scream. You want to run. But every impulse has gone silent. Your body begins to shut down as your mind freezes. 

A survival instinct. 

Any emotion you were feeling dies inside. You untangle your hand from Viktor's and look at him.

"I'll be fine." You don't recognize your voice anymore. 

Your father says a name, the one you had cast away decades ago. He leads you out the door. 

The last thing you remember seeing is Viktor's face contort into an agonized expression as his crutch clatters to the ground.

At 11:08am, Jayce dashes up the stairs of the academy and into the main lobby where he finds Viktor collapsed on the ground with his face in his hands. His body trembles as he sobs, the sound is full of anguish. 

Jayce kneels and pulls his partner in for a hug, his own tears beginning to form.

He was too late.

"I'm sorry." He sighs, arms wrapping tighter. 

"I-I couldn't…stop him…" Viktor gasps, fingers now twisting into Jayce's jacket. 

"We both couldn't…" 

Jayce pulls Viktor to his feet and supports all of his weight as they walk back towards the dorms.

He helps Viktor into his room and watches him stumble to the couch and flop, face down, onto the cushions. His spindly limbs drape over the sides like a ragdoll and Viktor begins cursing to himself. Jayce sits on the floor by the couch and stares up at the ceiling. 

"I knew the two of you would get along. He's clever and stubborn like you. Dedicated and witty. He's got an eye for engineering and a brain that could match if he had the opportunity." Jayce rambles, "He probably didn't tell you how he got assigned to me, but it was because I requested him after finding him studying some old blueprints of mine. I figured if I had him around I could see just what was in that head of his." 

He kicks off his shoes and sheds his jacket, "He picked up on things quickly. I would send him to the industrial district to fetch orders, then he ended up memorizing the parts I used most and would write out the orders themselves before I even realized I was low on things like screws and wires." 

Jayce snags a fallen pillow and lays back on the floor, "But the most surprising was when Mr.Kiramman dislocated his shoulder. Cy went out for a few hours then returned with some dried herbs and other things that he crushed into a powder then mixed into a paste for the injured shoulder. Apparently it kept the sore muscles from contracting at random."

"...Usefulness is valuable…" Viktor says into the sofa.

"What?" Jayce looks over his shoulder.

"Cy said that. Said his usefulness is what keeps him valuable to topsiders." Viktor turns his head to face his partner. 

Jayce ends up looking away, opting to stare back at the ceiling.

A long, heavy silence fills the space.

You sit pressed into the corner of the carriage, knees tucked under your chin. You glare at your father who has been staring at you expectantly. His face is lined with age and his hair has started to gray, his eyes are heavy with exhaustion and he looks like he hasn't slept. 

"Your grandmother was found unconscious on the floor at three am. Doctors managed to wake her but it seems that she may not have long. Her heart just isn't what it used to be." Your father informs.

You'd really only seen your grandmother a handful of times, when she would appear at events hosted at the estate. From what you could tell, people respected her, adored her, and happily obeyed her. She never interacted with you, so unfortunately you had no idea what she was like. But if she was anything like your father? Well, you would be finding the quickest way out of the manor and back down below. 

The front gates of your old house come into view. Your stomach flips harder and you feel your heart racing in your chest. How many people would recognize you? How many would be happy to see you? Was this some kind of trap? You should have fought back. Should have fought tooth and nail and ran until your legs folded from exhaustion. 

You shouldn't have left Viktor like that. 

You will find a way back. 

The door of the carriage opens and you are met with a line of the same house staff you grew up with. Some seem to recognize you after all these years and give a subtle wave. 

You're helped out and led up to a room you can only faintly recognize as the one from your childhood. A maid stays behind with new clothes folded in her arms.

"It's good to know you're still alive. After all these years." She says quietly, motioning for you to undress, "You look…good. Do you…uh…how do we…" 

"Call me Cyril." 

The maid, who you remember as Ada, nods and hands you the clothes. 

A dress . 

You sigh. 

Hopefully the old woman dies soon.

Chapter Text

Viktor sleeps for an entire day. Refusing to move from his couch. Jayce checks in on him every few hours only to see his partner still face down, eyes swollen from crying. He tries everything he can think of to rouse his friend but nothing seems to work. Eventually he decides that Viktor will come around when he's ready and heads to the lab to go over any progress that was made. 

The place is cleaner than it had been in months. Unneeded books are back on their shelves, scraps of paper have been clipped together and sorted, the floor looks decently swept and scrubbed, even the furnace seems to burn a little hotter. Jayce whistles in awe at the work you had done during your time there. 

"Damn Cy. We're gonna need to bring you around more often." He laughs to himself and places his own findings on his desk. He then moves over to Viktor's desk where he sees several new blueprints sketched out, a small prototype built from paper and cardboard, and an entirely new equation that spans the blackboard. 

Jayce sighs and sits down. From the looks of it Viktor definitely took a break at some point since the lab was able to maintain a state of organization. Perhaps he should have introduced the two of you earlier?

He would have to try and meet with you again to ask how the two weeks went. 

Obviously Viktor had grown attached for him to have such a reaction. He looked like--

"Ah. You're up." Jayce looks over at the door to see his friend pushing his way into the lab.

But Viktor says nothing and sits at his desk, turning to a page in his notes and pulling over another book.  

You're summoned to dinner shortly after your arrival. Ada leads you to a dining room you don't remember existing before. Several other servants give you knowing glances when you pass by and find your seat. At the head of the table is your father and his wife next to him. Next to you is their daughter who has her hair braided neatly. 

The first course is served and the tense silence is broken.

"It's good to see you again." Your father's wife says politely, "Last I remember you were barely thirteen. A wiry thing just starting to blossom into a woman." 

You do your best to just smile and eat. 

But she doesn't stop.

"You vanished for a while. Did you end up back with the sewer rats? You know you're lucky your grandmother wrote you that letter, otherwise you would probably still be down there, trouncing around like a whore. Be grateful she looked past your bad blood and vouched." 

Your father says nothing. 

The second course is brought in. You try to hide your rage between forkfuls of salad. 

"She must see something in you. Or just pity you. Because she directly requested you return before she passes on."

"Correct, she has requested you work with her personal physician and tend to her during her final days." Your father finally speaks.

You fight the instinct to spit out your food. 

"Excuse me?" Is all you can say.

"Yes, after dinner you are to meet with her to iron out the details." 

Maybe you'll get lucky and the woman will croak before you finish eating.

She doesn't, of course, instead you find her lying in bed with all sorts of machines connected to her. A nurse leaves the room as you head in.

"Ah. There you are." Your grandmother says, her voice exhausted. 

"Hello." You reply automatically, keeping your distance. 

"I won't keep you long. I just wanted to see your face before I went to sleep." She smiles, the wrinkles on her face look like cracks in a porcelain mask. 

"I see. What are my duties as one of your caretakers?" 

"Whatever the doctor needs you to do. And of course, to keep me company. You will be paid for this job, and once I pass, you never have to set foot in this house again." 

The way she phrases it is almost sad. You can tell she knows she is dying, and you almost want to pity her, but this is just another job. That's all it ever was. 

"I understand. Thank you for your time." You bow and head for the door.

"Goodnight, Cyril." She whispers. 

In the days following your departure, Viktor grows eerily silent and even more withdrawn. He does his work in the lab silently, the only sounds coming from his pen and paper. When Heimerdinger asks for his assistance, Viktor does so without question or comment. If he is not in the labs or classrooms then he is back in his dorm for the remainder of the night, silent, the only evidence that he is even in there is the warm lamp light that glows under the door. 

It hurts Jayce to see his friend like this. No amount of research and progress would remedy the pain in Viktor's heart, that much was certain. 

"I'm coming in." Jayce announces, using his copy of the dorm key to leg himself in. 

There he finds Viktor in his chair, reading with music very softly playing in the background. He takes a sip of coffee and looks over at his partner. 

"Oh, you look…you look better." Jayce says, looking obviously relieved. 

"I would say I am managing, yes." Viktor replies. 

"I wish there was more I could have done…"

"Please, it just…wasn't meant to be." 

Jayce leaves the conversation at that and holds out a small package wrapped in brown paper with the Crestwalker seal stamped on top. When Viktor doesn’t take it he places it on the coffee table. 

Viktor does not budge from his spot. 

It's not until another week passes does he finally open the parcel. Inside the paper is a fancy cigar box, clearly imported from Zaun. He's seen the name a few times painted across high-rises. Perhaps it's your father's form of an apology, or a cruel joke. Taped inside the lid is a letter.

" Sir Viktor,

My sincerest thanks for allowing my daughter to be under your employ at the Piltover Academy of Science and Engineering. While the process may have been unorthodox, I hope any reviews of her work will remain positive. As thanks I've gone and sent a notice of your compensation and you should receive payment within the week. Please also accept this gift as a token of appreciation.

-Deacon Crestwalker "

When he looks at the cigars, Viktor notices something is startlingly off. The rolling paper is loose. He closes the lid and takes a closer look at the decorative lettering. 

Dreamer's Delight: Made with dried Starpetal 

Carefully he removes a cigar and dumps the contents on a handkerchief, it doesn't smell anything like a normal mix of tobacco but rather…

He looks at the thin paper in his hand.

" Sorry, had to find some way to slip this past the old man. Should be enough tea for almost an entire year if you drank a cup a day. I don't recommend it. Make sure to store it in a dry place. And only use 2 grams to make a cup. I love you. Cyril." 

Viktor doesn't realize he's crying until a stray tear lands on his hand. 

Over the weeks you've been aiding in caring for your grandmother, life has fallen back into your old routine. 

Awake before dawn. Breakfast in your pocket. Do not make contact with the family. Take morning vitals. Assist grandmother in moving her legs to prevent clots. Breakfast for her, eggs and toast and tea. Breakfast for you, apple and oat bar. Administer morning medicine. Let the doctor take over. Sneak into the library, take books on machinery and repairs. Help prepare lunch. Bribe cooks for extra snacks. Serve lunch to grandmother. Hide away in serving quarters. Study books and return them. Avoid father at dinner. Take evening vitals. Administer medicine. Discuss notes with doctor. Study the books he leaves behind. Return to bed. Sleep.

You follow this until winter turns to spring. Each passing week your grandmother looks weaker and weaker. By now the doctor has entrusted you with the majority of her care, only stopping by every other day. 

It's during the middle of spring when as you're leaving, your grandmother stops you. 

"You are so much more than your father believes you are my dear." She speaks barely above a whisper, "I'm sorry I could not do more for you."

You walk back over to her and take a seat. 

"I'm sorry he dragged you into this mess. Do you know why he did it?" She takes your hand.

"No ma'am."

"My dear husband had passed a week prior, I was a wreck, and your father seemed to think that it was the perfect time to try and stake his claim as the new head of the company. However he lacked an important…asset." 

Your blood boiled. You knew deep down your father never really wanted you around, but hearing it confirmed was still agonizing.

"I'm sorry for the pain he's put you through. I should have just…given him what he wanted." Even on her deathbed, your grandmother's eyes shone fierce. Years of regret flashing before her. 

"You were grieving." You say, gently squeezing her hand, "Your world was in chaos and the last thing you needed was my father taking advantage of the situation." 

She sighs, "Still. I could have done more. I could have sent you off to a proper school, given you an education…" 

"It's in the past. I made my own way." You offer a smile. 

A stray tear rolls down her shallow cheek, "You look just like him. You look just like my father who sailed here with high hopes and prospects to make a name for himself away from an unloving home…" 

She pats your head and hiccups a laugh, "Go to sleep my dear grandson. I'll see you in the morning."

Chapter Text

Spring tumbles into Summer, the time of year when students take on apprenticeships and independent studies. Viktor uses the silence of the campus to dedicate every waking hour to testing out his prototypes while Jayce dives into the legal process of acquiring permits to begin laying out the proposal for the tentatively named HexGate . The pair work tirelessly for days on end until Jayce forces Viktor to "stay home" for a day where he hangs around the dorm and keeps his friend from sneaking off to the lab.

Viktor hates it. He hates not having his favorite distraction available to help him ignore the scar in his heart and the worsening ache in his hips and back. He hates seeing the little reminders that you existed in his space. That you took care of him. That you loved him. It makes him want to scream. 

Sleeping has become a disaster. Drinking the tea you sent him certainly helps, but not without plaguing him with dreams of what could have been. A house, a proper laboratory, a brighter future for Zaun, a cure for the creeping pain in his bones. A wedding. A new start. A trip across the ocean. So many potential opportunities haunt his dreams that eventually Viktor decides to put the starpetal away and take his chances on falling asleep naturally. 

The hot and humid weeks of Summer finally cool down and turn into Autumn. Viktor finalizes the designs for next year's Progress Day, Jayce acquires the needed permits and contracts needed to begin gathering the resources for construction of their presentation. The men go out to drinks for celebration at a small bar in the residential district where the people are friendly and packed together like sardines. 

The food is decent and the drinks are cheap and it isn't long until Viktor can feel the familiar tingle of his reasoning clouding over. He chuckles when he watches Jayce flirt with the girl next to him and she playfully shoves his arm with a smile. 

"Well well. I've never seen you around." The smooth voice of a man says as the seat next to Viktor moves closer. 

"Ah…I don't get out much." Viktor shrugs and looks at the stranger. He's slightly taller than Viktor and has long haired that's tied back, dark brown eyes shine with mischief when they look over his body. Normally Viktor would comment on not being interested, but damn he was handsome.

"Shame." A strong hand strokes his cheek and Viktor's temperature rises a few degrees. 

When he looks over his shoulder to say something to Jayce, his friend is gone now a few feet away with the woman he was talking to leaning against him, her hands firmly planted on his hips. 

Eh. Fuck it.

The next morning Viktor wakes up in an unfamiliar room, next to the unfamiliar man from last night, with a headache that makes every sound feel like a needle in his skull. He carefully stumbles his way back to his dorm after leaving a note that only says "Thank You" and "Sorry".

Jayce says nothing when Viktor sees him in the lab and just hands him some coffee, water, and painkillers. 

You wake up before dawn on a cool Autumn morning and begin your routine. Over the past few weeks your grandmother has gifted you access to take any books you like from the library, a collection of her jewelry, and some clothes of her husband's that she couldn't part with. In turn you have told her about you life in the Undercity, the family you made down there, you tell her about Jayce, and you tell her about Viktor. 

"I'm so proud of you, despite it all, you've made your own way." She says, eyes closed and breath shallow. 

You both know she is not long for the world and with every passing day she looks weaker and weaker. 

So when you go to check on her, you're surprised to see her sitting in a chair by the window. Several of her IV drips have been removed and she's looking outside at the falling leaves. 

"Ah. Good morning." She says with a weary smile.

"Good morning ma'am…shouldn't you be in bed?" 

She laughs, the sound full of life, "Dear boy, allow a dying woman her comforts. Sit." 

You pull up a chair next to her.

"You've been an absolute wonder this past year, and I do not want to leave this life with any regrets. So, please accept what I have to offer." She hands you an envelope with the family crest. Inside is a stack of legal documents all signed by your grandmother. 

Notice of Inheritance 

And

Severance from Estate

"I…M-Ma'am…" you leaf through the pages. 

"You deserve to be free from the people who do not respect you. These papers will provide that you will have what you need to start a new life away from the Crestwalker name." 

Attached to the inheritance papers is a withdrawal form with…

" Janna's tits… this is…too much." The amount written down is more than enough money to afford a house in the upper residential district and still have plenty left over. 

"It's what you deserve." She kisses your head, "Your severance from the family will go into effect once it's signed by a counselor." 

You nod and tuck the papers back into the envelope.

"However. Once your father realizes that things he thought would be his are missing, he'll definitely seek you out. I would advise laying low for several months and avoiding any places you usually frequent. The Kirammans, the Academy, even the Undercity." 

So much for running to Viktor once you're free.

"And please…do not visit my grave after the funeral. Not until you are sure your father isn't looking for you." 

"I understand ma'am…" 

In the early hours of the morning, when the sun hasn't even considered rising, Lady Francisca Geraldine Crestwalker, wife of the late Sir Albert Ringgold Crestwalker, is pronounced dead at age 92.

It rains the day of the funeral. Clients and company partners join for the services as well as friends of the family. You stand away from your father, next to Mrs. Kiramman and her family. You are surprised that your employer would come out in the rain. 

"Francisca was a nice woman." She whispers to you, "I need to have a word with you after this is over." 

The casket is placed into the family mausoleum, flowers are placed, prayers are said, condolences are given. It all feels like a haze to you as strangers you've never met pat your shoulders and hug you. Even your step sister gives you a tight hug and cries against your clothes. 

All you feel is numb. In the months prior you had forced every thought of your time with Viktor out of your head to keep any kind of emotion from distracting you from work. But now? Something was bubbling up, threatening to erupt.

"When you are ready, come visit the estate and I'll sign that paperwork Francisca gave you." Mrs. Kiramman says and puts a hand on your shoulder, " You're a strong and clever boy Cyril, I can't wait to see what you are capable of." 

That night you tell the other house workers about your plan to leave as soon as possible, they're upset of course, but proud.  They help you pack and gift you recipes. Pietro offers his apartment for you to keep your trunk in while you search for a permanent residence. Gina says she'll tailor your new clothes since her little one is growing like a weed so she was already going to be sewing. Ada tells you she and her brother who works at the post office will keep an eye on your father and deliver any letters you need.  

You tear up at their kindness and head out to collect your inheritance before finally cutting ties with your family.

Chapter Text

Winter returns with a bitterness that feels almost cruel. Viktor slowly rises from his bed and something feels… off . He takes a tentative step forward and then another. His back aches fiercely, every small movement feels like lightning through his nerves. 

The door to his dorm opens and Jayce walks in with a bag from the campus cafeteria and two cups of coffee.

"It's a mess out there Vik. We're barely into winter and the snow is already sticking to the ground." He laughs to himself and puts breakfast on the table, but when he looks at Viktor every trace of joy is wiped from his face. His partner looks ghostly pale, eyes glazed over, hands trembling, mouth hung open. 

"Vik? Viktor? Are you okay?" He takes two steps towards his friend before he hears something Viktor has never said.

"I need a hospital." He hazards another step then cries out in agony as he crumples to the floor. 

Ever since you emancipated yourself from the family you've spent your time hiding out in small hotels, looking for work and a permanent place to live. But as the weather gets colder you slow your search and focus on just laying low until the weather warms up again. 

You're curled up in the hotel bed, arms wrapped around a pillow. Another nightmare, one where Viktor sees you and leaves you because he hates you know. Because you left him and never went back. Tears sting your eyes as you sob into the pillow. All the pain you ignored for a year comes crashing back to you.

You could have done more. You could have written. You could have snuck out. You could have said fuck it and went your own way. It didn't matter that you were trapped by your duties, you should have cared more about the man who showed you true kindness and adoration in ways no one else did. 

Fuck did you wish he was here. 

Ada had sent you a letter that your father had contacted several people to look out for you, absolutely pissed that you had vanished with nearly a half of your grandmother's money. Posters of your face were popping up around the marketplace like some sort of criminal, it wouldn't be soon until someone spotted you. 

So you took matters into your own hands. With your scissors and razor you cut away the inches of hair that grew over the year until you are left with a shaggy mess. You stare at your reflection and start to cry again. 

Your new life was supposed to have Viktor in it. 

You were going to propose the idea of finding employment with the Academy and aim to be a lab assistant. You were going to spend nights in his dorm, curled up together, listening to his gentle breathing. You would both learn more and more about each other, explore the love you both had to share. 

But no. 

Instead you are watching your emotions fall apart with freedom finally in your hands.

Viktor wakes up pleasantly numb and floating on a cloud. Voices drifted in and out like waves, occasionally making sense, other times sounding like gibberish. Something is over his eyes but he can't find the energy to remove it. 

Viktor wakes up again, this time more coherent. He is still numb but now his thoughts are in line and the first thing he notices is that he cannot move. There are several lines connecting him to various machines and bags. A nurse comes in and takes his pulse then his blood pressure. 

"I don't want to be the one to say this sir…but you are in some pretty bad shape." They can't seem to look him in the eye, "I've sent ahead for your friend and emergency contact to discuss how you would like to proceed."

"I would li-" Viktor gulps dryly, throat scratchy, "Like to be discharged. Just send the prescription to the Academy health center."

The nurse's expression changes from stern to devastated, "Sir…I…I don't think you understand the condition you are in." They grab the clipboard at the foot of his bed and hold it out for him to look at. 

It's an x-ray of his back. His spine is curved wrong, hips shifted, the bones showing signs of wear. 

"Your records show that the last check up you had was over five years ago, the doctor advised setting up an appointment with a physical therapist as well as getting fitted for a brace. Have you followed up with that?" 

Guilt weighs heavily in his heart. Deep down he knew the damage was bad. He knew that he should have kept up on the appointments. But after spending an entire appointment doing stretches and having the therapist give snide remarks about his background, well, Viktor decided a little daily discomfort was bearable. 

"No, he hasn't." Jayce says as he enters with Heimerdinger not far behind, "He only goes from the lab to his dorm and maybe the cafeteria." His voice is laced with venom, like he'd been personally betrayed. 

"Mister Talis please, Viktor my boy, why didn't you tell me? If I had known I would have made sure your workload wasn't so strenuous." The Yordle hops up onto a chair. 

"Because I was fine . It's just a setback, you needn't worry." Viktor sighs. 

"Vik…you do realize you'll need extensive surgery to even begin correcting the issue, not to mention weeks or even months of recovery time. This isn't something to just brush off…" Jayce sounds more than hurt, he sounds…devastated. 

But the way the two talk to him, about him, only sounds like they're blaming him for his health. They make it seem like Viktor is made of glass, like this is something new he's never had to deal with before, like he doesn't know his own body. Like he hasn't lived almost thirty some fucking years in some kind of pain. He knows they don't realize it, but they want to picture him as the perfectly content cripple who can't do shit and slowly wastes away. 

The fear of slowing down and letting the agony catch up is now knocking at the door, and Viktor can not let it in.

"Leave." 

The room goes silent.

"What?" Jayce looks shocked.

"I am not feeling up to discussing this. So please. Leave."

The winter evening brings a fresh flurry of snow. People hurry a little faster to get home, the streets going quiet in a matter of minutes. You wander aimlessly through alleys and side streets in the no man's land between the lower residential district and the manufacturing district. Distantly you can hear machines clanging away and workers shouting to one another. Thick plumes of steam rise into the dark cloudy sky and fog rolls from vents on the ground.

You remember your mother telling you stories of dragons living in the sewers of Piltover that would blow steam from the vents, in an attempt to make the world a little less scary.

If she were still alive you would have snatched her topside and gotten her into a proper hospital. You would have found a little house to take care of her in and give her the comfort she always deserved. She would have met Viktor and she would have loved him too and teased you both endlessly. 

Ow. That thought stings a little too sharp and oh, you're crying again. 

Things were supposed to be better . Haven't you dealt with enough?

Whatever. You still have things you need to do today. Like looking for a job, finding somewhere to live. The pain you feel is pushed away as you turn around and head towards the trolley station. 

It's late afternoon when you reach your destination, the Piltover Cemetery. 

You walk through rows and rows of headstones, statues, and mausoleums until you find a large family tomb with the Crestwalker emblem carved into the door. Names from generations past are engraved into the archway like roots of a tree and you run your fingers down the stone until you find your grandmother. 

"I know you meant the best, but I'm useless without directions to follow." You lean your head on the cold surface and sigh, "I've had shit luck finding an actual job. Most places aren't willing to teach me what I need to know or they realize I'm from Zaun and turn up their noses. Perhaps I should just…go back down under an--"

"Cyril?" Snow crunches under heavy boots. 

You turn and see Jayce bundled up from head to toe, he looks so happy to see you.

"Jayce! What are you doing here?" 

"Wishing my pops a happy birthday." He nods over to a headstone shaped like the Talis crest, "But forget that! Where have you been?" 

You open your mouth to speak but Jayce cuts you off, "First let's get out of the cold. Care to come to my place? It's a small penthouse in the academic district." 

And that's how you end up joining your old friend, sharing your life's story from when you vanished. The words flow freely and you end up having to stop a few times to let the tears fall when you process just how lonely you've been feeling.

Jayce is kind and patient with you as you pour your heart out. He lends his shoulder to cry on and offers up the room that used to be his workshop now that all of his experiments are done in the school's laboratory. He lets you know that the arrangement can't be permanent but after all of this time it would be nice to have a familiar face around. 

When you settle in, Jayce assisting you with transporting your personal trunk, he updates you on Viktor's condition. It was no surprise that his back had defects from birth, but the state of the deformity had become so severe that surgery was the only option to correct it. 

"He was supposed to have yearly visits to a specialist. I didn't…he never…" 

You place a hand on his arm and squeeze, "Viktor's stubborn like that. He doesn't want to be an inconvenience. He probably didn't want you worrying or giving him special treatment." 

"I guess…but now look where he is. If only I ha--" 

You scowl and grab Jayce by the jaw, squeezing his face, "Don't. It's not your responsibility to look after him. Only Viktor is to blame." 

Jayce watches your gaze harden and looks away, "I still feel bad."

You release your grip, "It just means we've gotta be there for him now." 

He huffs a laugh, "You want your old job back?" 

A few days pass, the surgeons have explained everything about the procedure to Viktor, assuring him that he will still be able to walk after he recovers. In three hours, fifteen minutes, and eight seconds, he will undergo several hours of surgery to align his spine. 

To say he was nervous was an understatement. One wrong move any Viktor could lose function of his limbs…or worse. He couldn't afford to lose anything. 

Not now. Not with progress day in a few months.

It was already hard enough to come to terms with the fact that he would be in a wheelchair for at least four months after a month and a half of being confined to his bed. 

He wasn't a praying man, knowing Janna abandoned the people of Zaun ages ago, but Viktor silently asked for the surgery to go without issue. 

And as if to answer, the door to his room slowly opened, a shadow in the frame. 

"Has the surgery been pushed up?" Viktor asks, staring at the ceiling. 

"Dunno." You laugh and smile sadly when you realize the state of your beloved. His entire torso is in a metal brace, preventing him from twisting or turning, IV lines connect to a pole, and a few 'get well' presents sit on a chair by the window. He looks absolutely fragile. 

"Cyril!" He looks at you and tears well in his eyes, "Cyril where have you been?!" 

You kneel by the bedside and take his hand, pressing it to your cheek, "Hiding. So much has happened and it's been such a mess. I missed you everyday!" And for the second time that week you share the story of your life over the past year. However crying this time feels more cathartic, and Viktor wipes them away while whispering reassuring words. 

Then it's Viktor's turn to share. He tells you of the groundbreaking discovery he and Jayce made. Travel is possible through Hextech! Once the proper set of runes were decrypted the rest followed suit. Two identical "gates" were made and the pair have been able to successfully transport materials between them! Regardless of size or mass or compound! Not to mention it's safe for living creatures to traverse as well!

"Wait, which one of you went through?" You interrupt.

"I accidentally left a window open and a bird flew right through the portal. Jayce chased the damned thing around for a good 20 minutes before catching it. We kept it for a few weeks to monitor for any effects, but no, it was fine." 

You sigh, relieved.

"And then Sky came by and we all took turns warping between the gates." The smirk on his face is almost cat-like with how smug he was.

"WHAT?!" 

Viktor snorts, "It was perfectly safe, anyways we're planning on showing it off for progress day. We just want to make a cleaner looking set of gates and gods, am I thankful for Jayce because I would have strangled the Civil Construction Offices for all the stupid permits we needed." 

You sigh and shake your head, "I can't wait to see it." 

He smiles gently and pats your head, "I can't wait either," he looks at the clock on the wall, "Looks like they'll be coming to collect me soon. Will I see you when it's done?" 

You kiss his cheek, "I promise."

Chapter Text

In your life, you've been to many places both in the upper and lower cities of Piltover. From the darkness of the sumps to the highrises around the Elite district, you thought you had seen it all. 

Except a hospital. 

You know there is a general medical center in the upper levels of Zaun but at no point had you ever had the opportunity or funds to go, even when your mother was dying. And when your father took you in he had a private doctor come and see you, any other time you often visited a small clinic for things like minor injuries or your monthly injection. So the environment of a large sterile building full of varying shades of white, beige, and gray was extremely unnerving. 

However you felt lucky enough to have a distraction. A distraction in the form of a fluffy orange Yordle. Jayce had introduced him as Professor Heimerdinger but you recognized him as Counselor Heimerdinger. The only other Yordle that existed between the cities besides Priscilla. He tries his hardest not to stare at the operating room doors and forces his gaze at the floor. Jayce stands to leave for some coffee for the three of you, abandoning you with the Counselor. 

"It feels like yesterday he was seventeen, sneaking into the back of lecture halls, taking notes, copying books, hiding out in the labs to work." Heimerdinger says to no one in particular, "At first I thought he was a late enrollment and his documents had yet to be processed, but then one evening I watched him hop on the last trolley to the lower districts and realized that he didn't actually attend the academy." 

You cross your legs on the seat of your chair and rest your head on your chin. More than once had you wondered how Viktor got into the academy if he lived in the Undercity like you. As far as you knew the academy didn't offer scholarships or grants out to the less fortunate. So for him to just hide out in the school and pray he didn't get banned from the campus or worse was…unexpected. But then again it seemed like exactly what Viktor would do to pursue his dreams. 

"He's utterly brilliant and selfless. He has the makings of a great scientist, and while I shouldn't say this…I've come to see the boy as something akin to a son. A son I feel like I have failed." The Yordle sniffles back a tear.

"Professor, don't say that. Viktor is a private guy, and you've done so much for him. You offered him a job, an education, a place among the elite of Piltover. I don't think he would ever accuse you of failing him." Jayce says as he returns with three cups of coffee. You hold the cup in your cold hands and let the heat warm your tired body. 

"He'll bounce back. I know it." You supply, "I'll make sure of it." 

And for the first time, Heimerdinger looks at you. His dark eyes reflect ages and eras long gone where loneliness hides. His mustache twitches when he clears his throat.

"With everything that mister Talis has told me about you, I'll hold you to that promise. I assume you'll be aiding Viktor throughout his recovery?" 

You nod, the feeling of professionalism takes hold, "Absolutely, I have several years of caretaking experience plus a letter of recommendation from Dr. Hayworth and Dr. Favus after working under them for a year." 

Your pitch makes the small man chuckle, "Very well. I'll see if I can't make some arrangements for you to stay during your employment."

"Thank you." 

The following hours feel like an eternity, Heimerdinger heads out at around 5pm to return back to his duties leaving just you and Jayce. The two of you take turns napping in the waiting room and grabbing snacks, neither of you daring to leave for long. Jayce talks about his holiday and his extended family. How his uncle's oldest son is gearing up to inherit the main business, but Jayce isn't upset, he would rather build than conduct meetings. He talks about the past year and all of the advancements he and Viktor had made with Hextech, adding some dramatic embellishments here and there to make it more entertaining. 

At some point you doze off and wake up to a new face in the room. She's dressed too casually to be from the upper district, calculating brown eyes look at you through half-moon lenses that cover some of the freckles on her tanned face. She quickly looks away when she notices you've caught her staring. 

"Sorry, I was trying to figure out if you were another classmate." She apologizes, "I'm Sky Young, civil engineering and occasional lab assistant to Jayce and Viktor."

Sky…Sky…right, Viktor mentioned her once or twice. 

"Nice to meet you, call me Cyril, local nuisance and amateur nurse? Uh, I'm a friend." You wave tiredly, "Any news on the surgery?" 

Sky sighs, "Well, so far so good? The last nurse said they were just about to 'close him up', her words not mine." 

"Good…good…it only took…uh…" you look at your watch, "six and a half hours. Gods is he gonna be pissed…"

"I know, the nurse was telling me all about his post-op recovery plan and I know Viktor will try to get up as soon as he can." The girl rolls her eyes and huffs, "I admire his dedication but Viktor will go through hell and back until he gets results." 

You're pretty sure Viktor will be fine staying in his dorm for a few weeks while the pain eases away, but as soon as he's wheelchair bound you bet he'll be trying to get back to the lab as soon as possible. Which means you'll need to find good ways to distract him between physical therapy appointments. Jayce will probably help you out if you asked but he'll have his own work to do once classes pick up again and he'll be shadowing lectures. 

"Is it bad to want to lock Viktor out of his own lab?" Sky asks.

"...Noooo? Actually it might help us in the long run? If you would be willing to bring up some of his notes and such, I think locking the lab would be perfect." 

"I think I can borrow some from the custodial workers…" she taps her chin and adjusts her glasses, "I'll ask Jayce to sort out some of the books for me to bring when Viktor feels better." 

You both nod, agreeing on the plan to keep your friend from going back to full time research and development while he recovers. 

Viktor wakes in a new room with a new ceiling and new lights. His limbs feel heavy and his spine twinges with a distant ache that he knows will only get worse as time goes on and the meds wear off. The original metal brace around his torso has been swapped for thick gauze padding that already feels sweaty and gross and what does a man have to do to get a shower around here? 

The surgeon comes in with their clipboard and begins reviewing the outcome of the surgery. They say something about his spine being one of the worst cases of…whatever they call it in years. The images from the post-op x-ray show Viktor's spine with dozens of plates and screws and pins that somewhere in his hazy mental state he jokes to himself about his back being more metal than bone. There is an explanation once again about the recovery plan as well as setting up a follow up appointment in two weeks to make sure everything was still in order. But Viktor doesn't care all that much, his body wants to go back to sleep. 

So Viktor does just that.

When he wakes back up it's because a nurse is poking his feet and moving his legs. 

"Can I help you?" He yawns, the nurse snaps his attention to Viktor.

"Just checking your circulation and reflexes. Would you mind wiggling your toes? I want to make sure that nothing has…well. Paralyzed." 

Right. The spine is a delicate thing. Viktor lets the nurse finish up and feels his body attempt to drag him back to sleep. Just for a few seconds. 

As soon as the nurse leaves the room you enter and set down the suitcase Jayce had brought back containing a few changes of clothes for Viktor and a book of crossword puzzles. You pull up a chair next to the hospital bed and slide your hand over his own after pulling out your own reading, a medical journal from Dr. Favus. Maybe once Viktor was recovered you could enroll in a nursing school, or try to get an apprenticeship at a care facility, something you could use your new skills in. 

Thin fingers twitch and tangle with yours when Viktor awakens and looks at you with bleary eyes. 

"Ah, there you are." He smiles. 

"Here I am. The doctors want to keep you for another day or two just to make sure the hardware doesn't get rejected by your body." You close the book and set it aside, "How's it feel?" 

Viktor tightens his grip on your hand, "Awful, if I'm going to be honest. I feel out of sorts and generally miserable." 

You sigh and kiss his forehead, "I can't even imagine. But I'll be sure to take good care of you once you're out okay?" 

At that, he smiles, "I'll have to go to the hospital more often if it means you'll be watching after me." 

You roll your eyes and kiss his head again, "Let's focus on your recovery before having you collapse again okay?"

The first few days back in the dorms with Viktor are uneventful. Mornings are quiet, your partner sleeping well past nine as you make breakfast and measure out his daily medication. In the afternoon you double check the bandages around his torso and read from the local newspaper, Jayce and Sky take turns visiting with their own news and notes from lectures. When the winter sun goes down, you settle in next to Viktor with one of your favorite books and read while he does what research he can until he ultimately falls back asleep. 

It feels a little awkward having to care for him in such a vulnerable state. When it was your grandmother you were able to detach yourself emotionally enough to do the job, but Viktor , you knew Viktor. You'd slept with Viktor, been deeply intimate with him, and now the entirety of his care is in your hands. 

Needless to say the first time you had to wash him was awkward with the two of you apologizing and doing your best not to point out the tent in his pants. He attempts to reason that he is capable of cleaning and changing his catheter to save you from the embarrassment at his expense but you assure him that you are very much a professional, and the last thing you want to see him do is mess up and injure himself. 

After a few weeks Viktor becomes restless. You carry him to the chair in his living room so he isn't stuck in bed all day. Sky makes more frequent appearances with work from the lab and notes from class. She turns the coffee table into a work table littered with books and blueprints. But it still isn't long until he's itching to get back to work proper and no amount of notes or books are enough to keep him placated. 

It's when you take Viktor back to the hospital so they can remove the stitches and begin fitting him for an orthopedic brace for better back support do you get an idea. When the doctors admit him to a room for the night, you catch the last trolley back to the upper residential district and to Jayce's apartment. 

"WHEELCHAIR!" You shout, practically flying through the door. 

Jayce yelps and falls backwards from his desk, landing with a loud thud, papers fluttering to the ground around him. 

"What?" He groans, tilting his head to look at you.

"Teach me how to make a wheelchair!" You stand over him with a grin.

"I-what? Teach you to make a wheelchair?" Jayce rolls onto his chest then pushes himself off the floor, "I don't think…I…what?" 

You jump right into explaining your idea. Viktor needs a way to get around independently but his back is still not at a point where he can walk properly. You ramble for a moment about the wheelchair you had modified for your mother before drawing it on a scrap of paper. It's nothing fancy, but it is certainly more compact than the modern chair. You draw arrows where you write " locking mechanisms controlled by user" and " folding handles " and " make gloves to grip tires ". Jayce chuckles at your enthusiasm.

"You sure you don't wanna enroll for medical engineering?" He takes your drawing and sticks it to his chalkboard. Slowly he transfers the design and writes out estimated measurements, "You still have your inheritance to do it." 

You shrug, the thought had crossed your mind but you were nowhere close to the academy’s standard for even general classes. Sure your stint working under the private physicians helped you with understanding dosages and some chemistry, but again, nowhere close to what it would need to be. 

"Regardless, this concept is great! A mobility aid that allows the user to have complete independence if they so choose." Jayce finishes the sketch, "How about tomorrow we see if we can't get those parts. Sky can pick Viktor up if we run late and she also has a stack of student papers that Heimerdinger has forgotten to grade to keep him busy." 

"Sounds like a plan." You yawn.

"Go to bed, we'll be up first thing." He claps you on the shoulder and leaves for his own bed.

When you finally settle down for the night, you fall asleep to the sound of fresh snow falling from the sky and pattering on the window.

Chapter Text

You wake up before the sun rises and make breakfast for you and Jayce out of the limited amount of food he keeps in his apartment. It's going to be a long day ahead for the both of you and it may as well start off with something good.

"Morning…" Jayce yawns, still in a loose shirt and flannel pants. His normally gelled hair sticks up in all directions and he sleepily wipes his eyes. 

"Morning sleepy head. Made you some eggs." You set down a plate, sunny side up eggs with salt, pepper, and a dash of chili powder. He takes a forkful of eggs and his face lights up.

"You remembered…" he says to himself.

You sit down with your own plate of toast and scrambled eggs. 

"Damn, I should have hired you to be my assistant." Jayce laughs between bites.

"Sorry Talis. You missed your chance."

Viktor wakes in the hospital with a nurse fishing a needle around in his arm. 

"Please. I don't have much blood to spare." He sighs and looks at the young woman who looks back at him with fearful eyes. 

"So-sorry I-I-I…." She stammered, upon closer inspection the woman seemed no older than twenty, clearly a student nurse. 

"Breathe." Viktor says calmly, "Take the needle out. Try again." 

The nurse nods and slowly withdraws the needle. She rolls her thumb around the inside of his elbow until she finds a suitable vein. With a long exhale she sticks the needle in and watches the blood flow to the vial connected. Her hands tremble when she removes the needle once more and swabs the dribble of blood left behind. 

"First time?" He gives a weak smile.

The nurse nods, "It wa-as on your chart to get a panel done last night…but no one did. And…when I brought it up…" 

"They made you do it?" 

She nods again, "Told me if I cared so much about a lucky r-rat…"

Viktor sighs, of course, without Jayce or Heimerdinger around no one would really feel the need to pay attention to him. Especially in his current state.

"What's your name?" He asks. 

"Dionne…first year nursing student." 

"Well Dionne, from now on if you're on shift and I'm here for…" he motions to his new brace, "this mess, feel free to stop in. You're already leagues better than any of the staff here." 

Jayce Talis has done many things in his life. Most of which he is very proud of.

This is not one of those times. 

"You can just buy a wheelchair." He says holding onto your ankles as you're dangling over the side of a large scrap dumpster.

"You can just buuuuy a wheelchaaaaair." You mockingly say back. You sift through thrown out parts until you find what you were looking for.

A perfectly good parlor chair that someone decided was too 'last season' and threw out. You wrap your arms around the backrest and lift until you teeter backwards and fall into Jayce's arms. He shakes his head when you flash a cheeky grin. 

"We only have a day to get this done and I am not spending most of it shopping around for a base chair when I can just…procure what I need from the free scrap." You awkwardly balance the chair on your upper back and grab its arms.

"It's not free . It's technically still someone's property!" Jayc hisses through his teeth.

"Sure is. And that someone is me ." You begin your walk back to the apartment.

Breakfast is served at 8 o'clock sharp which consists of toast, oatmeal, and orange juice. The nurse that brings it in hardly looks at Viktor when he sets the tray down before turning on a heel and leaving the room. Viktor rolls his eyes and tries to scootch himself into a sitting position but ow…maybe if he…ow ow…nope. Perhaps if he…a sharp pain stings across the flesh of his back and something pulls in the wrong way and owwwww ow ow! 

He grabs the buzzer to call a nurse and presses the button. Thirty seconds pass. A minute. Two minutes. Five minutes. 

He presses the buzzer again, longer this time. 

Another minute. Eight minutes. His back is suspiciously warm and a little wet. The pain has grown into a creeping ache around his ribs. 

He buzzes again, now holding the damn button until either someone comes or the thing breaks. Another shooting pain makes Viktor spasm and something else pulls very wrongly. Blood hotly rolls down his back as his long surgical wound leaks. 

Someone storms through the door causing it to slam against the wall.

"What? Don't you know we--" the doctor stops mid sentence when he realizes Viktor is twisted over himself with the sheets thrown over the side of the bed, stained with fresh blood. 

"Fucking hell. You're not supposed to move ." He hisses and pinches the bridge of his nose. 

"I needed to eat." Viktor replies matter-of-factly.

"Then why didn't you get a nurse ." 

"I tried sir. No one came." 

The doctor sighs and turns around, "Don't move, I'll patch you back up."

You're sitting in the apartment, taking apart the wheels for the chair while Jayce is out shopping for the hand brake parts.

"As thrilling as it would be to dumpster dive for everything, I think fresh out of the box brakes would be better." He had said. 

"Fine, go forth hammer boy." You shooed him off.

The clock reads half past noon, Jayce should have been back an hour ago. Maybe he got caught up talking to a friend, or he stopped for lunch, or he slipped on a patch of ice and was laying in the snow, or---

"HAND BRAKES!" He loudly announces as he backs through the door. You shriek and scramble to your feet with a wrench in your hand before registering who or what it is. 

"Jayce you're dead to me and I'm not making you any more food for as long as I live." You wave the wrench threateningly. 

But Jayce simply laughs and places the box of parts on the work table. You watch him pick through the bits and bobs that all look the same to you before smiling with a quiet "ah-hah!" as he pulls out a larger mechanism. You step closer when he grabs a screwdriver and begins taking the thing apart piece by piece, organizing the screws and bolts in little piles. 

He holds his hand out, "need that". 

You hand him the wrench and pull up a stool to observe. 

"Wanna learn how it works?"

You nod.

Jayce smoothly transitions into explaining everything he's doing while making sure you can clearly see his hands working. He hands you different parts to sort and evaluate closer.

And for a moment, you're reminded of how a body works. 

Interesting…

After being stitched up again the doctors make sure that Viktor is properly set up so that he can eat his now cold breakfast. 

With another dose of painkillers in his system the creeping ache from his injury has faded and his mind is a haze of exhaustion and confusion. 

This is why he doesn't go to hospitals. Unless someone from up top is advocating for him, Viktor gets overlooked like a lame horse. Useless, pitiable, waiting to die. 

Viktor doesn't want to die. He wants to show the world what he can do. He wants to make a difference that will change minds and give the proper attention to his home. He wants to leave this damned hospital and be with you where he knows he'll not only be treated well but loved too. Viktor huffs and angrily bites into his toast. 

He's seething and wants to throw something. He's ready to scream when there's a knock at the door. 

"I'm fine. " Viktor says coldly.

"Good to know." Sky replies, walking in with a bag full of books. 

"Why are you here?" 

"Because I just love hospitals…Viktor please, I'm here to visit." She pulls up a chair and holds out one of the books she brought. 

Applications of Engineering and Physics in Modern Technology: Volume 5 

"Sky…" Viktor carefully takes the book, his voice low in warning, " This book has been on the academy’s wait list since it was released three months ago…" 

Sky just smiles innocently and gives a gentle "mhmm"

"Sky…where did you get this?" 

"It just happened to fall off a cart that came off a ship of imports from Noxus this morning." She smiles a little wider. 

"Sky!" He exclaims quietly, "Is this--"

"For the research archives funded by the council? Yes."

Viktor squints at his friend.

"Technically this is going through the import checkpoint right now." Sky adds on cheerily.

"You can't just--"

"Make friends with the import offices? Learn the trade dockets while waiting for letters from my cousin? Study up on current shipping regulations for my project on improving the shipyard?" 

Sometimes, Viktor forgets that Sky is aggressively thorough when she needs to be. Not to mention more curious and driven than the majority of her peers. If she could just come out of her shell she would certainly have sponsors trying to endorse her work. 

He merely sighs and opens the book to read over the index. 

"How is that going? By the way?" He asks, flipping to a page about new innovations for artificial limbs. 

"It's fine. I've got most of the proposal done and I've been picking away at the scale model. Been planning on a way to get Professor Ingraham to finally allow me to pitch the actual proposal to city planning." Sky deflates a little. Obviously the teacher has once again brushed off Sky's attempt to actually intern with the city planning department. 

"You'll get it. I know you will." 

"Well? Is it everything you hoped for?" Jayce stands back from his work and playfully musses your hair. 

The wheelchair is complete, with hand brakes and folding handles to prevent strangers from pushing the chair wherever they please. The upholstery on the seat has been washed and an extra cushion added to the back for support. Viktor is sure to love it. 

"It's perfect. Absolutely perfect! Let me just--" you take a seat and carefully maneuver the chair, getting a feel for the balance and range of motion, "Vik should have no problem getting back to work." 

You get back up and unlock the handles.

"Well. Let's go."

You manage to reach the trolley station before it leaves and maneuver the wheelchair to the opening meant for mobility aids and strollers. A few passengers mumble in conversation while you watch the passing streetlights and the distant blinking of airships in the sky. Jayce is leaned against a window and writing in his notebook, occasionally nibbling on the end of his pen when he pauses to think. 

The hospital is a quick walk from the station. Despite the late hour people still come and go from the medical campus with the same urgency as the day crowds. Nobody spares you or Jayce a glance until you reach the front desk.

"Good evening, are you here with an emergency?" The clerk greets.

"Ah, no. We're picking up a patient who is supposed to be discharged today?" You fish around your bag for the paperwork.

"Patient name?" She opens a drawer.

"Viktor Norvak. He was in for a followup on his surgery." 

The clerk looks at you like you have two heads, "Ah, my apologies. But that patient is on a 24 hour hold for his…violent behavior today." 

Both you and Jayce stare at the woman. Viktor? Violent? The man can barely get out of bed! 

"Ma'am…what did he do?" Jayce steps in while you begin to look for the hallway Viktor's room should be in. 

Surgical Recovery Ward

Aha! 

As quietly as you can, you roll the chair down the hallway to find Viktor.

Despite the pleasant visit from Sky, Viktor found his mood souring again when dinner rolled around. 

Apparently word had gotten around about the breakfast incident and instead of bringing the advised meal of chicken, potatoes, and beans that was meant to help Viktor put on some weight as well as keep his energy up while his body continues to heal, he's given a weak broth meant for patients who can't keep much down. 

He stares at the bowl and sighs, maybe he can ask you to make a quick meal later. 

"--u can't--"

"--ours are ov--"

Muffled voices get clearer as someone gets closer to the door.

"Sir we have it--"

"Well I have orders and papers signed by Counselor Heimerdinger to escort this patient!"

He hears you announce loud and clear as you kick open the door. You're bundled from head to toe in winter clothes, gloved hands tight around the handles on a wheelchair, and a furious look in your eyes. 

Viktor can't help but smile. You look like a real force to be reckoned with. 

"C'mon Viktor. I'm taking you home." You walk over to the bed and begin checking over your boyfriend for any lines or tubes that may be hiding under his gown. Luckily it seems like the doctors had already handled it. You help Viktor swing his legs over the side of the bed then sit him in the chair. The staff that had tailed you into the room have gotten the hint that you are taking Viktor no matter what, so they resign themselves to collecting the linens, pillows, and whatever else was left over. You grab Viktor's bag and help him into his coat and tuck a blanket over his lap. 

"I hope today wasn't all bad." You mutter to him as you wheel down the hall and back to the lobby where Jayce has placated the clerk and filled out the discharge forms. 

"Sky visited for a few hours, and the first nurse of the day was sweet. But everything else? Horrid. Terrible." He sighs and shuffles deeper into the cushion. 

"Well, you don't need another follow up for a month, and they won't keep you overnight. But I can stay if you like." You squeeze his shoulder.

"Right now, I just want to go to bed." 

It's ten til midnight when you and Viktor get back to the Academy dorms. Jayce escorted the both of you all the way to the campus before heading back to his apartment to begin packing for the winter holiday. The silent, cold air is a calming sting on your neck that follows you just past the threshold into the school where the lights are just a dim orange glow. Viktor is leaned back in the chair, eyes closed and softly snoring. The empty halls that normally felt intimidating are now comforting, wrapped around you like a security blanket. 

You get Viktor dressed for bed and make sure he's comfortable before scrounging around for ingredients to make sandwiches since your partner informed you that he barely ate at the hospital. 

"This time it was not my intention. The staff didn't seem to care what the doctors ordered for my care." He huffed as you fluffed the pillows behind his back. 

You were going to write a strongly worded letter and perhaps toss in a few threats that may or may include exile. Shit like this needed to change. 

Maybe you could change it. 

Viktor sneezes loudly from the bedroom and halts your train of thought. 

You bring him an egg and tomato sandwich with a glass of water and he gratefully accepts it. In seconds the bedtime snack has been devoured and Viktor is carefully shuffling himself under the covers. 

"Tomorrow I want to go to the lab for at least an hour. Just so I can check any paperwork before classes let out." He says with a yawn, "I promised Sky I would review her proposal too…" 

"I don't see a problem with that." You reply, stripping out of your clothes, modesty be damned. You are tired and need to take any opportunity to be by Viktor's side before he decides to go back to the lab full time. You carefully tuck yourself in next to him and allow him to position the both of you as he needs. He rests his head on your bare chest and sighs. 

"I'll see you in the morning." He yawns once more before his eyes flutter shut.

Chapter Text

Viktor takes to the wheelchair like a fish to water. After just a week he's already rolling through hallways like he owns this wing of the academy while you jog to keep up with him. When classes break for the winter holiday you settle back into the old routine of assisting around the lab while Viktor works on fine tuning the new gates for Progress Day in the spring. You spend an hour each day going through the physical therapy stretches for his legs to help strengthen the muscles after what little tone he had vanished from being bedridden. Some days are of course better than others but you both take them in stride. 

There are nights where Viktor wakes in a cold sweat, hands grasping for you, he breathes deeply like he's just come up for air. You hold him as he tells you about whatever nightmare he's had while you soothe him and pat his head. Other nights you find yourself not sleeping because a carriage drives by late at night or a group of enforcers are doing drills through the streets as the sun sets, it reminds you that your father may still be trying to hunt you down. You often end up sitting in a chair with one of Viktors engineering books and just looking through it, hoping that maybe after spending enough time with him you would understand the subject more. 

Unsurprisingly, you do. The equations are still mostly gibberish but the topics become clearer. It's not long before you're seen using your time in the lab to dismantle old prototypes to try and use the parts to copy the small devices that are pictured in the books. And when you get one figured out,  Viktor beams at you like he's a proud mentor. 

"I think you should take some basic math and physics courses. So you can apply your work to actual equations." Viktor suggests while he plans out the demonstration stage layout and notes what other permits he'll have to get Jayce to acquire.

"I guess it would do me some good…" you huff from the furnace that you're in the middle of cleaning out the old ash from. 

"The general classes are pretty flexible too. Before I was enrolled I would schedule out what classes I could sit in on between shifts at the scrap yard." He shuffles his papers together and sets them on Jayce's desk, "I think I'm going back to the room, if I look over these permits again I may just scream." 

Viktor? Leaving work early? You look over your shoulder just in time to see him roll out the door. There's an urge to follow but your job comes first and stars forbid you do a half assed job with the furnace and end up with a freezing cold lab come morning. 

He'll be fine on his own.

Viktor stares at himself in the mirror, running his hands over the new brace wrapped around his torso. Metal bones keep the form rigid where the leather has begun to loosen, creaking as he bends slightly to stretch his muscles. He looks at the pale skin on his arms, dotted with freckles and scars and bruises. His hands knot together like gnarled vines and Viktor closes his eyes, remembering the day he collapsed. 

He had never told anyone, but for a second he swears he could hear his mother calling for him. He could feel her arms around him. 

It was terrifying. 

He couldn't let it happen again. 

Not until he had a legacy properly rooted in the sister cities.

You clean up the rest of the lab like you would any other day, the fading winter sun leaving the room dark well before six pm.  You swing by the cafeteria to grab snacks for the evening while you study. The remaining faculty greet you on the way back to the dorms and ask how Viktor is doing, the news of his hospital stay no longer a secret to the academy staff. They seem genuinely happy that he's doing better and also toss in some praise about how he's lucky to have you around.

It makes you blush, it wasn't everyday some of the nation's brightest complimented an everyman like yourself.

You pull out the keys to Viktor's room just in case he locked the door because he went to bed early. But the door opens easily and the smell of a hearty stew hits you like a wall. Candles are lit around the room and on the coffee table is an old bluebird carving, a large votive candle, and a picture frame with a photo of a younger Viktor in a crisp academy uniform, squished between two rail-thin adults who look so proud. 

And next to them, a photo of your mother. Her eyes bright as she smiles at the camera, hair done up in plaits held together by pins, glitter sparkling on her cheeks. You know this photo, it is the one in the farthest room of the brothel where all the other photos of late performers-- seduction is an art, and we are the artists the Madam would boast-- lived and were visited. A single flower rests at the base of the frame. 

You nearly fall to your knees, grabbing the photo and bringing it to your chest. 

That's right. It's Frostnight again. 

"Somehow the Madam got wind of your new…arrangement." Viktor says, rolling from the kitchen, "She sent that up today with a letter and her wishes." 

You look over at your boyfriend and smile weakly, "It's almost like someone has been keeping her up to date." You huff out a laugh. 

"Please, don't think I haven't seen you writing to her. I just thought she should know the whole story." He shrugs, trying to act indifferent.

"So you…did all of this?" You look at the table where a large stew pot sits next to a large basket of bread. 

"Ah…with some help. Sky swung by before catching the trolley out to the Fringe. She made sure I didn't drop anything." 

"Why was Sky here? Classes have been on break for over a week."

"Her proposal got passed to the director for Civil engineering somehow and they offered to meet with her over the break to clean it up before passing it up to Professor Heimerdinger himself." Viktor scoots himself from his wheelchair to his seat at the table and motions for you to do as well, "And well, also to have a presentation for Progress Day."

Silence.

Tension sets in.

"Are you worried?" You take his hand in yours, rubbing your thumb over the back of his palm.

"Ehh…not so much about the gate. More about the public's response. They'll be hesitant, afraid even, and Jayce's shining personality can only do so much." He ladles stew into his bowl and dips a piece of hard bread into it.

"I'm sure it'll work out." 

The two of you eat in silence, the radio crackles out music from a station across the bridge. It sounds like home. It feels like home.

After dinner you help clean up and move the couch over to the radio since according to Viktor that spot by the window is the only place he can get signals from the farther stations. You curl up with him, watching the snow outside. The trolley rolls by the academy platform, the deep blue cart with golden accents looks like a toy for Winterbless. 

Viktor slides from leaning on your shoulder to laying his head on your lap and looking up at you with the sleepy golden eyes you can't seem to get enough of. He reaches up and rubs his thumb over your cheek making you press against his palm with a smile and blush. Your hand finds his hair and your fingers comb through the thick waves and gently scratch his scalp. 

"I love you." He breathes, looking at you with adoration, "I know I don't say it much, but…I really, truly love you." 

"I love you too." You kiss his forehead. 

"Even though I'm broken and bent six ways to Sunday?" He chuckles.

"I think the term is, well loved ." 

Viktor stops, his eyes widening slightly, you watch a dusting of pink bloom across his cheeks to his ears and down his neck. 

You kiss him on the cheek, "You were never broken." 

Viktor continues to just stare at you until he pulls himself up in your lap and holds you tightly. He buries his face in your neck and sighs. You can feel his heart pounding against his ribs, feel his breath warm against your skin, his hands grabbing the back of your shirt. He mumbles something in a language you can't understand and starts rubbing circles on your back. 

"That means so much…" he whispers, "I love you."

You both end up laying on the couch under a blanket, watching the snow fall, held in each other's arms.

At some point you wake up. The sun still hasn't risen and Viktor is no longer asleep on your chest. The radio is still playing from the station across the bridge, but now with slower songs and the occasional bulletin about events going on. You sit up and take a moment to look at the fresh layer of snow outside before getting to your feet to find Viktor. 

Something thumps against the floor and you swing your head to see the door to Viktor's bedroom open with the soft warm glow from his table lamp shining through the doorway. He was probably up writing whatever idea struck him in a dream or reading since the both of you did manage to fall asleep earlier than usual. 

So when you found him face down on the mattress with the pillows on the floor and the blankets tossed about, you were rather surprised. 

"Can't sleep?" You whisper. 

Viktor groans against the bed then rolls over, "Not quite. I was asleep, until a rather vivid dream woke me." 

"Need to talk about it?" You collect the pillows and blankets from the floor and set the bed up so he can sit properly before you join him. 

He blushes a deep red. 

Oh . 

"It was rather…salacious." 

"Tell me anyways?" You sit at the foot of the bed and play with the buttons on your shirt.

Viktor looks down in shame and wrings his hands together. 

"You…ah. You were tied down. And…I…" he coughs and looks at you through his lashes, "We…I uh…filled you up…multiple times…" 

You try not to snicker at the way he squirms and pulls the blanket to try and sooth his rising embarrassment. Instead you lay your head next to his lap and place your palm on his thigh. 

"Well I wouldn't say no to that." You smile slyly at him and rub circles against his leg, feeling the tense muscles relax, "But I think we'll have to wait until you're approved for strenuous activities for that." 

You walk your fingers to the dip of his hip bones then drag your finger along the soft skin to the sparse hairs under his navel. His body twitches but Viktor makes no attempt to stop you. 

"However, I do have something else you can fill." You coo as you pull his pants down, eyeing the way his cock presses against his underwear. 

Viktor exhales slowly, you feel him brush the stray hairs from your face. 

"Whatever you want my love. Just be gentle with me." He tips your chin up to look at him. His cheeks are ruddy and his amber eyes look into your own with hunger. 

"I promise." You breathe, dipping your head to guide his thumb into your mouth. He instinctively presses down on your tongue and you feel your mind already start to go hazy with last. With your free hand you palm the thick bulge between Vikor's legs and smile when his expression immediately loses the fragments of composure he had managed to muster. 

You manage to remove the last article of his clothing and stare for a moment at the size of his cock. 

Right. You forgot that he's larger than anyone you've ever had. 

But if there is any hesitation in your mind, you don't show it and instead lick a strip from base to tip while your hand slowly strokes his shaft. Viktor hisses a swear but watches intensely when you lazily suck along the side of his cock, your hand toying with his sensitive head. You make sure to take your time with him, after being cooped up for so long it was only fair that Viktor got some proper care. 

His hand slides through your hair, petting your head affectionately as you work your mouth around him. You hear his breathing get quicker and heavier, quiet nonsense tumbles off his tongue. You lick a final strip up before parting your lips and taking him fully into your mouth.

"O-oh f-f-fuuu-ck." Viktor gasps as his cock slides over your tongue and presses to the back of your throat. His hand grips your hair painfully but you shift your focus to not gagging and exhaling through your nose. 

You rise back up and look at your boyfriend who is positively wrecked. The blush across his face is now splotched along his neck and chest. 

"Feel good?" You pat his hip.

"Amazing…" he sighs, "Don't stop. Please?" 

"Well since you asked so nicely." You wink and take him in once more. This time your hand stroking his shaft in time with the bobs of your head. 

His hips rock against the mattress, hands gripping the sheets when you speed up. He swears in words you've only heard in passing on the docks. But you don't stop. 

Gods you can ' t stop. 

You revel in the way he pants your name when you go all the way down. The way his words melt into a sigh when you lick the frenulum of his head. His good leg tangling between yours. 

"S-so close…s-so c-close…" he mumbles and your take that as your cue. 

With a quick breath you loosen your jaw and take him until your nose touches the base of his pelvis. Warmth shoots down your throat in ropes, you can feel his load roll back into your mouth, the salty taste taking over your tongue. Viktor goes limp into the bed and you carefully remove yourself, swallowing the remainder of his seed. He lays there with his eyes closed, absolutely still.

"Viktor?" You ask, crawling next to him.

No response.

"Vik?" You try a little louder.

A hand flops against your cheek.

"One second…" he mumbles. 

You snort and lay next to him, "Returning from space?" You peck his cheek. 

He nods. 

"Too much?"

"A little…" He opens an eye and looks at you, "But I don't regret it." 

"We'll wait until you're on your feet again okay? Before we do this again." 

Viktor nods and lightly bumps his head against yours affectionately. "Agreed."

Chapter Text

Winter slowly dies down and the students return back to campus, preparing for another semester. Jayce comes back with gifts for both you and Viktor as well as a dozen stories about his mother and his cousins and the cat that his mother found in the middle of a blizzard. You find yourself helping Viktor less and less with domestic tasks and having more free time than you know what to do with. 

So you study, and tinker, and explore the manufacturing district of Piltover. 

It's during one evening where you're out exploring you stumble across a small shop tucked between two apartment buildings. Various tools and simple machines sit in the large window with a sign elegantly painted with the words "Emil's Restore & Repair". You have been meaning to do some maintenance on the wheelchair before Progress Day so that Viktor wouldn't have to worry about another thing possibly falling apart on him. 

When you head inside you see a burly looking man hunched over what looks like the metal bones of a hand. He has dark tinted goggles over his eyes as he solders something to the fingers. 

"Evening" you greet. The man looks up at you and nods.

"Evenin'. Lookin' for sumthin?" He slides the goggles over his shaved head to reveal one piercing blue eye and one eye clouded with a thick cataract. 

"What kinds of gears do you have?" You look around at the shelves of parts. 

"What's the job?" 

"Got a wheelchair with a locking mechanism I put on it. I wanna swap the gears because the current ones have worn down." 

The man points to a drawer, "smaller gears are in there. But I would recommend caliper brakes, less wear and tear. Got a friend who uses them on his rickshaw to keep it from rolling away on hills."

"Do you have any?" 

"Nah. But I can put in an order for ya. I'll even waive shipping if ya show me the chair." He flips the small mechanical hand over and flexes the fingers, "I like seein' what practical things people make." 

You smile brightly and nod, "It's a deal!" 

"Come back in a week, I should have it by then." 

You're sitting in at Viktor's physical therapy session when the topic arises.

"So. You're applying to the general track?" Viktor says off-handedly as he slowly walks himself across the track, holding onto the rails on each side. 

"I'm thinking about it." You answer, flipping through a book you not so sneakily took from the lab.

"Strange, because I swear I saw an application with your name on it in Heimerdinger's office." 

Your head snaps up and you try to form a sentence.

"You're more than capable. And the general classes are a great way to figure out what you want to do." He takes a few steps unsupported before wobbling and catching himself on the bar. 

"I sure hope so." You sigh.

"I know so. Now help me get out of here."

You roll his chair over and hold it steady while Viktor settles in. He digs his gloves out of his pocket and drapes his blanket over his shoulders then wheels himself out, not waiting for you.

Outside the snow has begun to melt from the warm light of the late afternoon sun. Spring will be right around the corner, and then the Progress Day fair will be quickly behind.

"Oh, tomorrow I'll need to steal your chair for a few hours." You mention.

"What, planning to break your legs tonight?" Viktor laughs.

'Nooooo, I'm gonna change the brakes out so they don't act up as much." 

"Fine fine fine. But you'll have to make it up to me." 

You ruffle his hair, "I plan on it." 

"You made this?" Emil asks while he looks over the makeshift wheelchair. 

"With some help." You reply, installing the new brakes. 

"It's a sturdy design. Who taught ya?" 

"I taught myself mostly. Mother had the shivers and she lost the ability to walk really fast. Couldn't afford custom work, so when her friend would come around to help I would take notes." 

"Could definitely use another set of hands around here, especially with Adelaide about to pop." 

"Congratulations." You say, popping your head up from under the frame. 

There's a beat of silence.

"What're ya doing now boy? Got a job?"

You shrug, "Sort of. I'm at the end of my contract for assisting a scientist while he's been recovering from surgery. But other than that…not really." 

Emil hums thoughtfully, "Might have some work for ya. As long as ya don't mind headin' across the bridge." 

You shake your head, "Not at all." 

It's late when you finish moving your belongings to the first year dorms, a small room with barely enough space to fit the necessities. The mattress was lumpy and the stove seemed to have a short in it, but it was yours . If you really wanted to, you could probably rent a space close by after your first year since the academy had a weird rule that all new students had to live on campus for their first year, something about keeping track or whatever. 

You lay on the thin mattress and sigh, looking out the window at the twigs of ivy growing across it. Your stomach flutters with worry, what if you aren't good enough to keep up? What if you're the oldest student in your year? What if your colleagues can tell you're from the Undercity and ostracize you? What if they notice your relationship to Viktor? What if you forget how to tie your tie? What if you oversleep? What if--

"Dear I know you aren't afraid of anything but please lock your door." Viktor chuckles as you hear him roll in. 

You peek over your shoulder and see him right before he gets up and lays next to you on the small bed. He tucks himself against you, arm draping right over your waist, and chin resting on your shoulder. 

"Maybe I knew you were going to come visit." You smile.

"Oh really now?" He pecks your cheek.

"Mhmm. Because you miiiissssss me~" you sing. 

"I cannot deny that one my dear." He kisses your cheek again. You press back into him and sigh contently at the warmth growing between your bodies. 

Viktor rubs circles over your exposed stomach, effectively lulling you to sleep for just a moment before you yawn and mumble nonsense. He speaks quietly about nonsense and mundane things like the warming weather and the small sprigs of green poking through the snow, all while you drift back to sleep once more. 

You don't dream that night, but instead float in comforting darkness. 

The next morning you rise earlier than your alarm and realize that Viktor slept next to you the entire night. You turn your head and kiss his temple.

"I haven't gone shopping so I'm going to pick up something from the cafeteria. Want anything?" You get up and change out of your sleep wear and into your fresh new uniform. 

"Kffeeee" your boyfriend mumbles into the pillow.  

You snicker and begin your walk down the silent halls. 

It feels different this time, no longer a full time assistant but a student! A dream that once felt impossible to reach now firmly in your hands! For a moment you feel like you truly belong, the walls lined with portraits of alumni don't intimidate you. When you pass staff and faculty they greet you with a nod or a soft "hello" like you've always been meant to be there. 

The cafeteria is crowded with others who also want first pick at breakfast but you manage to squeeze through and grab some muffins and coffee before sneaking back out of the large room. 

When you return you find Viktor dressed for the day and stretching his legs, using his new crutch for support. 

"Don't tell me you're going to attempt to walk around on the first day back." You say and set the food down on the table.

"Dear, you should know me better than that." He rolls his eyes at you.

In turn you stare at him, deadpanned.

"...fair enough. But no, no, I haven't even been measured for a proper leg brace. Not to mention I still need to be fitted for the, ah, new decompression back brace." 

"That's next week yeah?" You say between bites of your muffin. 

Viktor nods and sits in his chair after you hand him his coffee. 

"Anyways I'm off. I have to do a quick check in with Professor Tulo about a class I'm supposed to aide for." 

You give him a quick peck on the cheek and put the remaining muffin in the bag and tuck it into the pouch on the back of the wheelchair, "Get out of here." 

Despite your fears about not fitting in or being the oldest, the first day goes by rather smoothly. Your professors seem decent and your classmates don't treat you like some kind of alien. The course work is a bit different than you were expecting but then again your only frame of reference was from the lessons you were forced to take as a child and the things taught by the other people in your life. However it doesn't feel like anything you cannot handle. 

And if the academy doesn't feel like a good fit for you, you still have the doctors you assisted who said they would take you on as a sort of apprenticeship. You hope that it doesn't end up that way, but you have the option. 

When you meet with Viktor for the evening he asks you about your day and then shares that all of the paperwork has been approved for Progress Day so now he and Jayce can begin planning out their presentation and design the staging area for their big reveal. You watch his face light up as he goes on about all his ideas and plans and how excited he is. It reminds you of why you fell in love in the first place. 

And slowly, day by day, you slip into your new life. 

The general track classes you take help catch you up to the academy standard. Equations and theories that you never thought your would understand start to make sense, loose sketches of blueprints slowly become refined and annotated for future projects, even small things like recording notes and organizing evolve as the days pass. 

Not to mention the evenings where you assist Emil at his shop. It starts with pick-ups at the docks and other shops across the bridge. Then it's deliveries of repaired tools, toys, appliances, guns, even prosthetics. When Adelaide, who is a petite little thing with a vocabulary like a sailor, is days from her due date you're left to do minor repairs and taking orders. 

With your life now busy you hardly notice the weather getting warmer, the days getting longer, and the return of birdsong and flowers. 

The whole city of Piltover begins to shift, buzzing with excitement. 

Progress day is near.

Chapter Text

Viktor watches Jayce recite his speech, pacing around the lab. He stumbles over his words before swearing to himself and starting over. 

"Almost! I've almost got it." 

"No one is asking you to memorize your speech." Viktor replies.

"But I feel like I should." Jayce sighs and plops down on a stool and runs his hand through his hair. 

There's a beat of silence.

The lab doors open and you come stumbling in with your arms full. The bag you're carrying awkwardly slides in your grasp as the books tucked under your arm threaten to slip out, you plop onto a rolling stool and push yourself to a desk right as the paper tube under your chin falls to the floor with a hollow 'thunk' and bounces away. 

You hear Jayce snicker at the sight and Viktor's chair creaks when he rolls himself over to you. 

"Thanks for the help." You huff, placing your belongings onto the table.

"You're the one who burst in here like a bull on ice." Viktor retorts, eyeing up the paper bag that smells suspiciously of fresh rolls and coffee. 

"Well sor-ry that I wanted to make sure I caught you guys before you go and change the world and forget about little ol' me forever." You pout and bat your eyelashes. 

Jayce leans over you and steals a roll from your bag and stuffs it in his mouth, making sure to press all his weight on you so you can't stop him from taking one of your notebooks. 

He makes a show of flipping through the pages, occasionally giving an "oooh" or "I see, I see". While you're pressed against the table. 

"Solid work. Very impressive." He places the book down and takes another one, this time removing himself and pacing around the room while reading the text you borrowed from Emil's. 

You glare non threateningly at Jayce and wipe away the crumbs he left, "Never mind, you can forget about me." You say with no real malice. 

"He's only doing it because he can't bully me around anymore." Viktor takes your chemistry book and inspects it then looks over the notes you've wedged between pages, "I don't think eel, wildberries, honey, and rice have anything to do with volatile elements." 

"That's where that went." You take the shopping list out of the book.

"Are you doing grocery runs for Miss Adelaide again? " Jayce taps you on the head with the book, "And I thought Viktor was the only workaholic." 

You swat at him and stick your tongue out, "The woman ended up pushing out twins , she's got her hands more than full." 

Jayce rolls his eyes and returns your book, "Well I'm gonna go practice my speech. Cyril don't keep Viktor too long, we can't present the gates without him." He strolls out without a care. 

As soon as the silence returns you feel your boyfriend leaning his head on your shoulder. He takes your hand and rubs little circles on the back of your palm. You press a kiss to his head and smile.

"Nervous?" You ask.

"May I lie and say 'no'?" He replies. 

You breathe out a laugh, turning your stool to face him. Viktor's golden eyes meet yours and he softens just a bit. He rests his forehead against your own and sighs.

"It's happening." He whispers.

"It is, and regardless of the results. I'll be there." You pat his knee. 

The both of you sit there, taking in the quiet ambience of the lab and the sounds of the crowd outside. Everyone knew that Jayce and Viktor were going to present something relating to the arcane crystals that nearly had Jayce banished. Everyone knew it was going to be big. Even if the entire thing blew up it would do so spectacularly. All of Piltover's eyes would be on them, waiting, judging. 

"This could change the course of everything as we know it." Viktor says, "Imagine traveling across seas at the blink of an eye. Imagine how fast knowledge could be shared." 

"Imagine being able to take a trip to Noxus and then returning the same day." You smile. 

"I couldn't have done it without you." He pulls you in for a soft, tender kiss, "I love you."

"I love you too." 

All of Piltover had been decorated for this event. Flags and garlands and ribbons flutter in the breeze. Various companies show off new products with interactive demonstrations and free gifts. Investors flock to promising opportunities with checks and contracts at the ready while children dart through the crowds playing with shiny new toys. Merchants from other countries search for new clients to make trade agreements with. And of course where there is money to be made there are dozens of scammers and charlatans at the ready to make off with their own small fortunes. 

But nothing compares to the crowd that had begun forming around the eastern staging area. You can see Jayce up on some scaffolding, removing something before part of a large tarp falls off the Gate. The patrons all gasp and coo and cheer, drawing more attention. In moments it feels like the entire city is staring at the two men on stage. 

You carefully push your way through the sea of people as Jayce begins speaking. 

"Citizens of Piltover, what would you say if I told you there is a way to harness magic through science?" 

A few voices shout out things like "You're insane!" and "No way!" 

"Over twenty years ago, I saw what magic can do when a wandering mage saved my mother and I. And since that day I have been dedicated to figuring out how to replicate that magic. Three years ago, I was nearly exiled for trying to create magic, and three years ago I met someone who believed in what I was trying to do." He motions to Viktor, who sits tall in his chair, dressed up with his hair combed back.

There is a murmur in the audience, you hear someone behind you say, "That's that undercity boy." And another whisper "Cleans up well for a sewer rat." 

"Well today I am proud to announce that those years have finally paid off. Behind me is a teleportation device created with Hextech!" Jayce steps aside to show off the entire machine. Two ring shaped arches sit next to one another connected to a console, "With this technology, long distance travel will no longer be an issue! No more worries about plundered ships or derailed trains. With the HexGate travel and trade can happen at the blink of an eye! Observe." 

Jayce sets a box on the platform under one arch while Viktor powers up the machine. You witness runes light up along the archway as others appear around the box, a soft humming resonates, the box lifts off the platform, and in a flash of blue it vanishes for a moment. Then with a thunderous clap it reappears under the next arch. 

The crowd goes ballistic. Camera shutters click and flash and dozens of reporters shout out questions. Jayce merely smiles proudly and Viktor grins. It worked without a single problem!

"But! That's not all!" Jayce announces, silencing the ruckus, "It is also safe for human travel!" 

The murmur rises once again.

"Who would like to be a volunteer?" 

All of the excitement dies, hushed concern washes over the crowd. You squeeze your way to the front and raise your hand.

"I would." 

Jayce looks at you and beams, "Come right up sir." 

All eyes are on you as you climb the few stairs up and suddenly you're very aware of how many people are here. 

They all look at you with the same kind of attention, anticipating something to go wrong. You barely register Jayce guiding you into position until he asks if you are ready. 

You nod. Viktor said it was safe. Therefore it was safe. 

The machine whirls to life again, static ripples across your skin, your hair stands on end, and your feet lift off the ground. The crowd gasps just as you're blinded by the blue light and for a moment you are everywhere and nowhere? The feeling is indescribable, but before you know it you're back on your feet just a meter away from where you started. 

Cheers and applause break the silence, reporters flood in with all sorts of questions, Jayce steps in and begins handling all the attention while Viktor rolls over to you and takes your hand.

He rises to shaking feet and holds you in a tight embrace before tenderly kissing you.

"You…you guys really are going to change the world…" You breathe.

"Did you doubt us?"

"Not for a moment."

In every story you've ever read, there came a point where the hero finishes his quest and makes his journey home, where the star-crossed lovers finally have their happily ever after, where the underdog proves their worth and beats the odds despite the world pushing them down. But for you, it feels more akin to the seasons changing. Your life didn't end after Progress Day, it just continued on. 

Jayce and Viktor received letter after letter from investors all over the world, begging for a stake in HexTech. There were interviews, articles, journals, meetings, that would leave the two exhausted and drained. But it went to prove that they had something worth sharing with the world. 

You continue classes and work at the repair shop. Every day, more of the little things make sense. You're able to keep up with Jayce and Viktor's rapid banter and are even able to assist with some of the tests. You also begin your own projects, designing and creating prototypes of mobility aids that allow the user to have a greater range of independence. You experiment with different alloys that will create lightweight but sturdy frames, you test prosthetics that balance form and function.

But it isn't until one hot summer night does it all come together.

You're finishing up the last weld on your latest design when Viktor comes in, the clunky hospital brace groans with every step like it's crying to be put out of its misery. It was clearly made for minimal movement and not much more.

"So when I stay up until two in the morning, I'm irresponsible and neglecting my health. But when you do it, it’s okay." He yawns.

"Sorry, sorry, time got away from me. I wanted to get this right while I was in the zone." You set down your tools and push your mask up. Viktor laughs and leans into you.

"Now you understand." He looks down at your project, a leg brace constructed for daily use and constant motion. It relies more on stabilizing and taking the pressure off the affected area instead of immobilizing it like current models. He runs a finger over the sleek metal watching it shine in the low light. Next to the brace is the blueprint you had drawn, full of your own little calculations and notes. 

Extra reinforcement: use buckles around joints, leave open for easy access.

Quick release, emergency removal, separate foot detail. 

Secure with pin. Breakaway to avoid injuries.

Leather padding to withstand friction 

"Is…this for me?" Viktor looks at you. Your face heats a few degrees and you nod.

"It's still a prototype. I was hoping to have the finished version by your birthday." 

"Can I try it?" His eyes light up.

"I suppose? Uhm. Sit down?" 

Viktor scoots onto the desk with childlike excitement. You carefully unclasp and remove his current brace before carefully putting it aside and taking your prototype. You feel your boyfriend looking at you while you make minor adjustments as you fit his leg inside the cage. When you get the buckles properly tightened and the foothold attached you help Viktor to his feet and hand him his crutch. 

He takes a few test motions with his leg, bending his knee and flexing his foot before walking across the floor. The brace doesn't creak or rattle, the only sound is the shuffling of feet. You watch him move around with renewed confidence.

"You." Viktor says with a smile, "You are more amazing than the day I met you."