Chapter Text

“Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.”

— Alexis Carrel.

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The void wasn’t cold. It wasn’t warm either. It simply was. A boundless nothingness, an eternity where even the concept of sensation faded into irrelevance. Viktor couldn’t say how long they had been floating, lost in the absence of time and space. Seconds and centuries blended into one indistinguishable flow. The stars that had once dotted his consciousness were lost, and it was only darkness—a formless emptiness.

Yet, in that serene vacuum, he could still feel Jayce. The weight of Jayce’s hand on the back of his neck. The press of their foreheads. The tangle of their legs. He couldn’t see Jayce, couldn’t hear him, but his presence was definite. A tether holding him steady against the immensity of nothing. There, in the absence of everything, Viktor was happy. Truly happy, perhaps for the first time in his life.

And then, the agony came.

It didn’t creep in gently or announce itself with warning. It was instantaneous, violent—a hurricane tearing through the fragile peace in the void. A cacophony of sensations, pain detonating through every nerve as if he were reliving the explosion all over again. The connection between him and Jayce was severed, torn apart with brutal exactitude. The sense of loss was immediate and infinite, like losing a limb, only worse. They were ripped from each other, hurled into the storm, spinning and colliding with the weight of eternity. His absent throat burned with soundless screams. Jayce’s name was the only thing, the only thought, beyond the horrors.

He opened eyeless eyes to a blinding, searing light. White-hot and tremendous, it burned through the fabric of his consciousness. A million phantom hands clawed at him, tearing him apart and reshaping him simultaneously. His body—if it could even be called that—contorted, split, and reformed with every shriek. Beside him was another presence, not Jayce, but a twin.

It was like a warped reflection of himself, at once familiar and completely alien. It moved in tandem with him, pulled apart and fused in a grotesque dance as if the universe were trying to decide whether they were one or many. Their fleshless bodies molded and split. The pain was so immeasurable that it mixed with pleasure before returning to torment. The ache was so complete that it could only be named ecstasy.

Then came the fall.

It was sudden, dizzying, and absolute. Viktor plummeted through the kaleidoscope of colors, a vortex of impossible shapes and screaming light. The weight of gravity—real, undeniable—slammed into him, yanking him from the timeless chaos and throwing him violently into the world of the living.

He hit the ground with a resounding crack. Pain erupted through his skull as it connected with the laminate floor.

He had a body again.

His lungs screamed for air, his chest constricting painfully as if it were filled with glass. The radiating pain from his lower back and leg was unfortunately familiar, the old torment returning to haunt him after months of being fused with the Hexcore. He groaned, barely aware of the commotion around him.

An explosion of movement erupted through the unfamiliar room, but all he could focus on was the pain of being in a body again. Blood, flesh, and bones. He had not felt this in so long, not since he died the first time. He wasn’t sure in his disoriented mind if he was glad to feel it again. He thought he would prefer to be back in the beauty of the void, held by his partner, lover, friend. In that place where everything was nothing, and all of it was good.

“Jayce?” he whimpered, his voice a fractured whisper. He blinked, his vision swimming as a face came into view, unfamiliar and concerned. A young face,  no older than a teen. They were trying to speak to him, their words a jumble of static that he couldn’t process.

“Mr. Talis? MR. TALIS?!”

“Get the nurse!” another voice barked, frantic and sharp.

“Should I call 911?”

“No!”

“Is he dead? What happened?!”

“Are you stupid? He just talked!”

It sounded like a thousand people converging and talking at once. Too much for his mind to handle. Young voices and young faces looking back at him. All their faces melting and reshaping in fear and concern. Blurring and reforming like he did to get here. Where was here, what was here?

The world tilted again, his consciousness slipping away. His gaze, though bleary, caught the blackboard behind the stranger. It was covered in formulas of chemical compounds. He recognized the shapes but not the names. In a moment of clarity, before he was lost to unconsciousness, he realized he couldn’t understand them at all.

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Jayce stumbled forward, the world tilting violently around him, and vomited across the sleek conference table. The acidic stench permeated the air, but he barely registered it. Viktor consumed his thoughts. The connection, the tether that had grounded him, was gone. Severed by that same horrible rending, he had felt going through the wild rune. It had been different this time. Last time, he had merely appeared in the wasteland but now, though he was having difficulty remembering, he felt like he had been split apart and merged with himself over and over again. The pain had been incomprehensible.

The room went silent, save for the faint hum of overhead lights. Jayce braced himself against the table’s edge, willing himself to stay standing. His legs felt like jelly, his lungs burned, and his head pounded with a ferocity that made it hard to think. Still, he forced himself to take stock of his surroundings.

The room was... alien. Boring. It lacked the grandeur and warmth of Piltover’s polished wood and brass. Instead, everything was sterile and lifeless, a cold palette of greys and blues. The walls were flat and featureless except for a large digital screen mounted behind him. He wasn’t sure how he knew what it was. The long conference table he clung to was made of some dull, unremarkable material, and around it sat people—strangers.

No, not all strangers.

“Are you alright, Mr. Talis?” one of the men asked, his sharp features and blue eyes cutting through the haze of Jayce’s confusion.

“Salo?” Jayce murmured, his voice hoarse. He blinked, trying to focus.

The man looked puzzled, but Jayce’s attention darted past him. The others at the table swam into focus. Shoola. Her calm expression was broken by a flicker of concern. She was without all the clicking gears and golden accents he was used to seeing on her. Now she sat in a burgundy pantsuit, the only accessory—a gold necklace and earrings. Next to her sat Mrs. Kiramman, Caitlyn’s mother, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Her brows furrowed and looked as if she was about to stand. And then—

“Mel?” Jayce’s voice cracked as his eyes landed on her. She rose from her chair with a calmness that felt at odds with the situation, her green, calculating eyes narrowing. She was also less adorned. She wore a white dress with buttons running down the front and gold jewelry, her hair was in its usual immaculate braids but her make-up was also more restrained. No more gold accents, just the deep purple eyeshadow and lipstick that looked so lovely on her. Seeing her was a comfort that bled deep into his bones.

The rest of the table was filled with unfamiliar faces—investors, he realized, though the thought didn’t come from him entirely. It felt planted, foreign, like the ghost of someone else’s memory.

Jayce’s stomach twisted as if he was going to lose it again. His hand gripped the table tighter so it might anchor him, but the nausea of dissonance only grew. He felt dizzy with it, all these familiar yet unfamiliar faces. The only face he truly wanted to see was the one that had been so cruelly torn from his arms. Viktor.

“Jayce,” a new voice broke in from beside him. Jayce hadn’t noticed the man standing near him, but now he turned, taking in the stranger. The man had mousy brown hair and light blue eyes, and there was nothing remarkable about him at all, but there was a kind of itching in the back of his mind that told him that he should know this man.

He gently touched Jayce’s shoulder with a little concerned frown, “Why don’t you go lay down?”

Then, the man turned back to the room, offering a placating smile. “I’m so sorry, everyone. I’m sure Mr. Talis will be fine. As his partner, I can continue our presentation in another conference room while they clean this up.”

Partner? Jayce’s stomach dropped.

He stared at the man, confusion twisting into alarm. Who the hell was this? He didn’t know him, had never seen him before in his life. And yet, the others at the table seemed to accept the explanation without question.

Mel was already by his side before he could question it further, her hand on his arm, guiding him toward the door. “Come on,” she said softly, her voice firm but not unkind. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Jayce let her lead him, too disoriented to protest. As they exited the room, the man’s voice faded behind them, smooth and practiced, as he began addressing the investors to follow him to another room. The door clicked shut, sealing the stranger away.

They moved down a hallway that was as cold and impersonal as the conference room. Jayce barely noticed the sleek offices they passed, his mind racing. This place was nothing like his lab, in fact he doubted it was a lab at all. It was nothing like anything he had ever seen.

It was so offensively grey.

Mel guided him into another room, this one slightly more inviting. It was an office—his office, he realized with a start. The desk was cluttered with papers and a laptop, a large, framed photograph of himself shaking hands with someone he didn’t recognize prominently displayed on one wall. The furniture was expensive but practical, and the color scheme muted brown tones, which was a slight reprieve from everything else in this hellscape. There were framed pictures propped on the desk, but he couldn’t tell what they were from behind, and on the walls, there was strange art that just looked like a bunch of colors splashed on a canvas.

Mel led him to the small seating area in the corner, where a leather couch and two chairs were arranged around a low coffee table. She eased him onto the couch, her sharp eyes scanning him with worry but also, it seemed—frustration.

“Are you okay?” she asked, kneeling beside him. “What happened in there?”

Jayce barely heard her. His thoughts spiraled as he clutched the armrest. “Where’s Viktor?” he rasped, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

Mel blinked, caught off guard. “Viktor?” she repeated, her brows knitting together.

“Yes,” Jayce said, urgency bleeding into his voice. “Where is he?”

Mel’s expression shifted, confusion mixing with mild annoyance. She rose to her feet, crossing her arms. “I’m sure he’s at his job. You know, where he works. Just like you’re at yours.”

“Where?” Jayce pressed, sitting up straighter despite the lingering ache in his head. All he wanted was to know where his partner was in all this. It was the only constant in his ragged mind.

Mel’s brow arched, her voice sharp with impatience. “At some high school, doesn’t he? Teaching science or something. It’s not like you don’t complain about it constantly.”

Jayce’s stomach flipped. Teaching? High school? But Viktor hated teaching. He always grumbled about it when Heimerdinger asked him to take over a class. Though Jayce always thought he had a way of explaining things that made them so interesting and easy to understand.

Mel tilted her head, annoyance giving way to something closer to suspicion. “Are you okay? Did you hit your head on the way here? Should I call an ambulance? You might have a concussion.”

Her words barely registered. Jayce’s mind raced, piecing together fragments of a life that weren’t his. Viktor didn’t seem to work with him in this universe. Viktor wasn’t his partner in this universe. And that’s what this was, just like when he went into the wild rune, he was sent to another world. The same but different than before. But this world didn’t seem like a reflection of his own. And in this universe…he and Viktor weren’t partners. How could that be? They were supposed to be entangled in all possibilities. That was supposed to be the one constant in all universes across time and space. He and Viktor found each other and created Hextech together. Destroy and save the world together. Die together.

“No,” Jayce repeated, his voice steadier this time but still soft. “No ambulance.”

He wasn’t sure what would happen if he was revealed as an anomaly in this situation. He didn’t want to be thrown into a hospital or an asylum before he could figure out what was going on. He and Viktor died. They were dead. They exploded into a million colors and had been floating in an endless afterlife….what was happening?

Had that rune actually just sent them somewhere else?

Mel’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she perched on the armrest of a nearby chair, her back and shoulders tense as she studied him. She was just as beautiful as the last time he saw her…and just as inconsequential. For a moment, he thought he might have been in love with her. It hadn’t been a possibility before the symphony and had only crossed his mind in fantasies. He had been attracted to her but had never dreamed that would be returned. She was so…far above him, so beautiful and out of reach it was easy to want her. The idea of her, the dream of her. Then she kissed him, and he had felt so drawn by the touch of lips, something he hadn’t indulged in for a long time. In her body, he had felt at ease, comforted, but when he looked back at their moments together, all he could see was Viktor’s face. Viktor looking up at him and telling him his name the night after the trial. Viktor collapsed on the lab floor, blood on the desk. Viktor, unconscious in the rubble, back broken and barely breathing while he, himself, stood untouched.

The Mel from his past life had used him, and he was ashamed that he had used her. Whether it was intentional or not. In the end they were friends, he respected her and trusted her and wished he had made different decisions. He wondered how everything would have gone if he had pushed her back at that first kiss—if he had realized sooner where his heart lay. He, who had indulged in physical affection frequently before, had spent years not thinking about it in Viktor’s presence. He couldn’t even remember the last woman he had kissed before he was with Mel. Maybe at some party or gala that Viktor had refused to attend because when Viktor did attend, on those rare occasions, Jayce refused to leave his side. Things could have been so different if he had known himself. He looked inward and saw that the depths of his love for his partner were not bound or limited in any way. They were all-consuming and infinite. It had just seemed so obvious, his love for Viktor was a constant thrum, and Viktor himself had also seemed such a constant. Why would he need to question it? Why would he look deeper when it just was?

Jayce squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out those thoughts. It was all in the past now. He made the decisions he made and tipped over the dominos of their lives. In the finale, he had been where he needed to be. He had held Viktor at the end of everything. His fists clenched against his thighs as he forced himself to focus. Whatever this place was—whatever time or dimension—it didn’t matter. One thing burned brighter than the confusion clouding his mind.

“I need to get to Viktor.”

The words came out like a declaration. Wherever Viktor was, Jayce knew they could figure this out together. They always had, no matter the odds. Viktor was his anchor, the one constant he trusted above all else. No matter what Viktor had done back in their previous lives, no matter what Viktor would ever do. Jayce trusted him and loved him. No matter what, he would not allow them to be separated. Viktor could destroy a thousand worlds, and Jayce would forgive him for it all.

Mel’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Why the sudden urgency to see your husband?” she asked. Her voice held something more, but that could be said about Mel at any point. She was always having two conversations at once. She was always keeping something tucked away. It was her nature, and Jayce had come to love it about her in a way. “What is this about? You got sick all over our meeting and had to be rushed out of the room. And you need Viktor now? What does he have to do with anything? Just this morning, you were complaining about an argument.”

Jayce froze. Her words were hitting him like a blow to the chest. Husband?

His head snapped toward her, eyes wide with alarm. “Husband?” he echoed barely above a whisper.

Before she could respond, memories flooded his mind—strange, vivid, and distant.

Viktor lying beside him in a large bed, the sunlight catching his hair as it slipped over his face, longer than Jayce was used to, highlighting the mole just above his lip.

The faint glint of his mechanical brace as Viktor got dressed for the day, Jayce saw himself approach him from behind, wrap his arms around Viktor’s slender waist, and kiss his neck. “Bad leg day?” Words coming out of his lips, in his voice.

Viktor in a grand kitchen, hunched over a book, sipping coffee at a small table by the window.

Their wedding—simple but intimate—Jayce holding Viktor close on the dance floor because his cane had been left at their table.

The images overwhelmed him, unbidden but shockingly real. Jayce’s heart swelled with an emotion so strong it left him breathless. These memories weren’t his, but they came with a surge of affection so deep it brought tears to his eyes.

Here… in this life… we’re not just lab partners.

We’re partners.

Husbands.

The thought was strange and hypnotic, and Jayce couldn’t stop the joy that swelled within him. The idea of having Viktor like that—completely, without barriers, was almost too much to process. It had taken him so long to realize the depth of his feelings for Viktor, mistaking love for admiration and that admiration for something more fraternal. From the moment Viktor saved him from jumping from his destroyed apartment he had become the most important person in Jayce’s life, and it had never occurred to him that those strong feelings would be desire. It wasn’t just desire to know him, to know his mind, to be around him always, but it was desire-desire. Attraction so strong it transcended everything and only grew. He had mistaken it for so long, and then there was no time. But here…here, there could be time. Was this a do-over, a second chance? Perhaps this new universe was a gift. Was this what death truly meant—moving from life to life, playing out different versions ad infinitum?

A terrible question gnawed at the edges of his newfound hope. Would the Viktor in this life be his Viktor?

Did Viktor get sent to the same universe, or were they separated? He had been sent alone to that horrible place while Heimerdinger and Ekko had gone…somewhere else. He didn’t know where they had gone or even if they had ever returned. It was possible that when he and Viktor were torn from each other, they were also separated and sent to completely different worlds. The thought filled him with dread.

“Jayce!” Mel snapped, though she appeared calm as she waved a hand in front of his face. “Are you even listening? I think you need a doctor.”

Jayce bolted upright, shaking his head. “No, no, no, I don’t need a doctor.” He stumbled over his words, his mind racing. “I’m just… I’ll go home. I need to—uh, I need you to make sure my, uh… partner doesn’t mess up that meeting.”

Mel frowned, her obvious confusion deepening, but before she could argue, Jayce was already halfway to the door. He grabbed a leather satchel from a coat rack, moving on instinct before fleeing his supposed office.

The rest of the office outside was a labyrinth of cold greys and subdued blues, so different from the warmth and opulence Jayce was accustomed to in Piltover. Gone were the rich mahogany panels and polished brass fixtures that had once defined his surroundings. In their place were smooth, lifeless walls, interspersed by the occasional abstract print hanging in flimsy black frames. Even the air felt different here. There was a heaviness that he couldn’t explain.

But anything was better than the lifeless wasteland he had spent six grueling months surviving. He could figure this new universe out. He just needed to orient himself and get a lay of the land.

Jayce stumbled past a confused receptionist out the large glass doors into a sterile hall. He paused just past the doorway, his gaze darting around the corridor. The harsh fluorescent lights overhead hummed softly, casting a bare glow that bleached any sense of vibrancy from the space. His eyes trailed the endless rows of identical doors, their brushed metal surfaces blending into the walls. The hallway stretched on, perfectly symmetrical, with no defining features. Ahead, another large glass door caught his attention. Beyond the glass was another office space, this one bearing the polished logo of a “law firm” etched neatly into the surface.

Law firm? Jayce wasn’t sure what that was, but there was an idea ringing in his head that lawyers represented those put on trial.

His mind flashed to his own trial that set everything that came to be into motion. The event that led to Viktor stealing his research from Heimerdinger’s office. The event that led to Mel’s interest. It was so long ago, but it was so impactful. The trial ruined his life and saved it simultaneously. He wondered what it would have looked like if he had had a lawyer.

A soft ding sounded above him, breaking the silence. Jayce flinched, his gaze snapping toward one of the metal doors as it slid open with a quiet mechanical whoosh. A small group of people stepped out, their chatter low and muffled, their sleek suits blended into the drab environment. They glanced at him as they passed, their eyes lingering just long enough to make Jayce realize he must be acting strange. He shifted awkwardly, forcing himself to straighten his back, though his heart still pounded in his chest. There were different dangers to this world full of people. He could not reveal himself, he had to seem as if he belonged here or who knew what would happen.

As the group disappeared into the law firm across the hall, Jayce turned back toward the door he had exited. The bold crest of his family name, a stylized “T” for Talis, flanked by sleek, minimalist flourishes. Below it, the words Talis Technologies stood in crisp, modern lettering. This was his company….a company that he had a different partner with, and Viktor was a…teacher.

It seemed so wrong. The Viktor he knew was ambitious and Jayce couldn’t imagine starting a business without his partner—his real partner, at his side. There was something so off about this world. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on and everything Mel had been implying. Argument this morning? It didn’t matter if this version of himself and this world's version of Viktor had some kind of argument. He would fix it. He wouldn’t lose the most important person to himself again.

He and Viktor had almost destroyed Piltover. The world, and yet here he was, standing and allowed to live again. In a new place, sure, but just the same. They probably didn’t have bodies to return to in their universe. He wondered if that future version of Viktor had brought them here. He knew he had had a hand in bringing Jayce to the world before. He probably sent them here himself…it was a possibility.

He reached out a trembling hand, fingertips grazing the smooth glass. It was his name, his legacy—but he didn’t even know what it was he did. Was it Hextech? His mind, these stranger’s memories, hadn’t shown him anything yet….memories from another Jayce. One that he was inhabiting. It hit him for the first time that….this life was already occupied. There was a Jayce here already …was that the twin he saw in the madness when he was being torn apart? What happened to the Jayce of this world?

He stumbled back, his head pounding and nearly colliding with the wall behind him. His breath came quick and shallow as he forced himself to look away, his thoughts spinning. What did it mean? Did his appearance in this body kill his other self? When he went into the wild rune he had been himself completely, the other world’s version of him was separate, forever kneeling in the eye of a storm. But this universe had a living version of him, one that he took over.

The smooth hum of the elevator at the end of the hall broke his trance, and Jayce turned toward it, desperate to escape the sterile, suffocating monotony of this space and his own thoughts. He couldn’t dwell on the ramifications of what it meant that he was conscious at all. That he had someone—his own—memories in his head, that there was a voice in the back of his mind telling him what the unfamiliar was without him even realizing.

The elevator was a cold, unadorned box with dull grey walls. He was starting to wonder how people in this universe lived with everything being so bland and colorless. He stared at the panel of buttons as he tried to orient himself. The numbers and letters were clear, though completely different. His gaze lingered on the one labeled “P.”

Parking? The thought flitted through his mind, disjointed and uncertain, but it was the only clue he had. He pressed the button and leaned heavily against the wall. The elevator hummed softly, a sound that echoed in the stillness. Jayce closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his racing thoughts.

This was just like what had happened before but fundamentally different because…Viktor and he didn’t have a universe to return to. The memories of floating in a vast empty abyss were starting to fade, but Jayce knew his former life completely. He wondered how long they had been in that colorless void. He remembered the only sensation being Viktor’s body against his. Their foreheads pressed together. His hand on the nape of Viktor’s thin neck. Their chests pressed together, and their legs entwined though they neither had bodies or minds. It had been perfect, and he thought that it would be eternity.

An ideal forever with the one thing he loved more than anything. He thought it had been a gift. While they could not do anything, say anything, move, or breathe, it was good. He had been at perfect peace with everything there.

When the doors slid open with a quiet chime, he stepped out into a vast, dimly lit parking garage. It was disorienting. His polished loafers scuffed against the gritty floor as he took a hesitant step forward, his eyes adjusting to the lower lighting. Jayce froze, staring at the machines before him. They were cars—he understood that much—a far cry from the machines of Runeterra.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Talis.”

The voice startled him, and Jayce turned sharply toward the source. A uniformed man sat in a small cubicle nearby, peering out from behind a pane of glass. He looked bored but polite, his eyes flicking up from a newspaper. “Heading out early?”

Jayce stared at him, his mind scrambling for an appropriate response. His throat felt dry, and for a moment, all he could do was nod. Then, realizing that might not be enough, he managed to stammer, “Uh… yes. Yes, I am. Do I… um…” He faltered, glancing helplessly at the sea of vehicles. “Do I have one of these?”

The guard frowned slightly, tilting his head as though trying to gauge whether the question was serious. “Of course, sir,” he said after a beat, gesturing toward a car parked near the front of the garage.

Jayce followed the direction of the man’s hand and spotted it immediately—a bright blue car that stood out sharply against the muted blacks and silvers around it. It was sleek and gleaming, its aggressive curves and low stance making it look like it had been built for speed.

That’s mine? Jayce thought, incredulous. It looked like something meant for a different kind of person—a stranger, not him. Then again, it was the first thing with any character in the place.

There was a sign mounted on the wall behind it that read his name and his company. The ones beside it also had similar signs with different names, indicating that these must be reserved for those who worked with him….for him?

He approached it cautiously, his movements stiff. His hand reached instinctively for his satchel, rifling through it with a growing sense of urgency. The contents felt unfamiliar. His fingers brushed against papers, a pen, and finally, a set of keys. Jayce pulled them out, staring at the small bundle in his palm. Among the keys was a flat, rectangular device with a smooth black surface and a screen. He turned it over, frowning, before pressing the largest button on the side. The car chirped, its headlights flashing briefly as it unlocked.

He jumped slightly at the sound, glancing nervously toward the security guard, who was now watching him with mild curiosity. Determined not to look completely out of place, Jayce tugged at the car’s handle. The door opened smoothly, and he leaned inside.

The interior was more baffling than the exterior. Buttons and lights scattered across a console that seemed more like a control panel than anything else. Jayce slid into the driver’s seat, his hands gripping the wheel.

The key. He remembered the key—or at least, that felt right. He fumbled with it, trying to fit it into any obvious slot, but there was none. Instead, when he pressed a button on the console, the car roared to life, startling him so much that he jumped, hitting his head on the headrest.

“Welcome,” a smooth, automated voice said, the sound emanating from everywhere and nowhere all at once. A small screen on the dashboard lit up, first displaying a single word Ferrari, then it went black again before showing a map.

Jayce blinked at it. He tapped the bar that said “search," and a list of addresses greeted him. One stood out, glowing faintly at the top of the list: HOME. He pressed it tentatively, watching as the map recalibrated, a line drawing itself from his current position to the destination.

Okay, he could do this.

His hands shook as he gripped the steering wheel again. He felt completely out of his depth. He didn’t think he’d ever driven something like this before, but it couldn’t be so different from an airship or rail car…could it?

The map was clear, and the word HOME was like a beacon. That was probably the safest place for him to be right now. At least there, he could collect his thoughts, and if Viktor was indeed his husband, whether it was his Viktor or this world….he knew he could trust him. That Viktor would be able to help him figure out what he needed to do or what they both should do. No matter the universe, he was sure he could present Viktor with a scientific anomaly, and the man would have it solved within hours. Viktor had only had access to his notes on Hextech for one night and had been able to help him figure out the key to it working after Jayce had been trying to break the code for years.

The car shifted into gear with a subtle jolt that rattled his nerves, and he pressed his foot cautiously on the pedal. The vehicle lurched forward, its movements jerky as he adjusted to the unfamiliar controls. As he emerged from the garage and into the city beyond, his breath caught. The streets were lined with towering glass buildings, their clean, sharp lines soaring into the sky. Vehicles zipped past down wide streets made for car travel as opposed to walking or public transportation. The world outside was alien—a strange, muted echo of the city he had once known. This was not the gorgeous titan of industry of Piltover, but Jayce knew how to navigate a city.

He wondered if this was Piltover at all. Where was he?

Jayce’s hands tightened on the wheel as his eyes darted between the road and the map on the dashboard.

Please, he thought, the word almost a prayer. Please let it be him. Let it be my Viktor.

The idea of seeing someone else wearing Viktor’s face, of finding a stranger instead of the man he knew, filled him with dread. He couldn’t bear it. Not now, not after everything. He had already suffered enough of that.

“This has to be a second chance,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “It has to be.”

The car glided smoothly through traffic, following the glowing blue line on the map. Jayce’s hands gripped the wheel tightly, his knuckles white against the dark material. His mind was racing almost as fast as the scenery blurring past outside. The cars were packed on the street, and it made him nervous, but the driving itself wasn’t that difficult to pick up.

He was only about twenty minutes from his destination when a sudden chime shattered the silence. Jayce jolted, his heart skipping a beat. A flashing notification appeared on the screen overlaying the map: Vik Work is calling.

Jayce stared, his breath catching in his throat. His heart thundered in his chest. Vik’s Work? Viktor is calling me? Was it this Jayce’s husband, Vik, or his…V? That was a startling difference. He had taken to calling Viktor “V” early on in their partnership, but it appeared this Jayce went with the less satisfying “Vik.”

Jayce wasn’t a fan.

“Would you like to answer the call?” the car’s automated voice asked, smooth and indifferent.

“Yes,” Jayce croaked, his voice hoarse from the weight of his emotions. He cleared his throat and tried again. This would be the first time hearing Viktor’s voice in what felt like a millennia and he hadn’t realized how desperately he craved it. “Yes. Answer.”

There was a soft click, and then a voice came through the speakers—not Viktor’s, but a voice he never thought he’d hear again.

“Hey, Jayce, it’s Sky.”

Jayce’s chest tightened painfully. His grip on the wheel faltered, and he swerved slightly before catching himself.

Ms. Young. Sky. She’s alive.

The Hexcore hadn’t killed her.

The realization hit him like a blow to the gut, leaving him breathless. The longer he was in this world the more he was starting to think that the Hexcore didn’t exist here. That Hextech most likely didn’t even exist. He could tell just by the way the world seemed to work. He had been trying to put his finger on it, a resounding feeling of the lack of magic. He couldn’t describe it, and it should feel like a loss but all he could think was that magic had almost destroyed his world. Had almost destroyed Viktor.

In this universe, Sky was here, vibrant and breathing, speaking to him like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Sky?” he whispered, relief and wonder threading into his voice. She had been barely an afterthought to him in their past life; she was a helpful presence in the lab, but Jayce hadn’t thought of her much beyond that. Hearing her voice was like a balm.

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a sigh. “Yeah. Look, I’m calling because Viktor passed out in class. From what the students are saying, he had some kind of seizure before he fell. He hit his head pretty hard on the floor.”

Jayce’s heart dropped. Seizure? He couldn’t even process what she was saying—Viktor, collapsing, seizing, hitting his head.

It must have been the effect of the transfer on him. Viktor hadn’t been through it before, to Jayce’s knowledge. It was easier for Jayce this time because he had gone through it once already. The timing was too much of a coincidence.

Sky continued, her voice tinged with worry but undercut by a casualness Jayce wasn’t used to. Sky was usually so shy and reserved around him. Always preferring Viktor.

“He doesn’t seem to have a concussion, but I don’t like it. You know him—he’s refusing to let me call an ambulance, doesn’t want to go to the hospital. But he also seems confused. If this is some kind of reaction to his new meds, or he’s made some kind of compound himself and actually taken it, like an idiot, it needs to be addressed.”

Jayce blinked rapidly, his thoughts tangling. New meds? What meds? His Viktor hadn’t had any medication. Had refused it even. Shimmer had been off the table…well, until the Hexcore. Viktor had used it then. It was all laid out in his notes. But this wasn’t his Viktor, not exactly. And Sky’s tone—it was familiar yet unfamiliar. Their relationship was clearly different from what it was in his universe. She was kind of sassy.

“I…” he began, fumbling for words. “Of course. I was leaving the—uh, the office early already, but uh… how do I get to you? I’ll come right now, but, uh…” He glanced at the map, realization dawning as he pulled the car to the side of the road. “I need to put it in my map.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. When Sky spoke again, her tone was laced with skepticism. “Are you high or something, Jayce? What do you mean? We’re at the school.”

Jayce felt a flush of heat creep up his neck. He fumbled through the logged addresses on the car’s interface, searching desperately for something that might lead him to Viktor. Nothing. Home was the only saved destination—this world’s Jayce didn’t have Viktor’s workplace saved. He probably didn’t need it.

“I just need it for the map,” Jayce said quickly, thinking on his feet for an excuse that would make sense. “I had a meeting in an unfamiliar area. Got turned around.”

Another pause, longer this time. Finally, Sky let out a sigh. “Alright. The address is 9823 Nettlewood Drive. Where were you to get turned around so bad?”

Jayce hastily input the address, watching as the map recalibrated. It was on the way to HOME, only about ten minutes from where he was now. Jayce barely even registered her question, his mind still occupied with the chance that this Viktor was his. It was the only thing that would make sense. He thought of Viktor floating in that celestial vision, his hair white and floating around him like they were underwater, his eyes, his beautiful eyes, golden and bright like before everything went to shit. That Viktor came here with him, the timing was too coincidental for it not to be true.

The idea of seeing Viktor back to himself. Alive and well and in a human body was overwhelming. The idea of holding him in his arms again. A tangible body and not just the essence of feeling, a form that was or was not there. The last time he had held Viktor close was when he awoke from the Hexcore change. Before that….

Well, before that, Viktor had always seemed so uncomfortable. He allowed Jayce a lot but to grab him in an embrace would have been too much. The only time he had ever gotten to indulge that desire was that night after floating in the blue glow of their working device. The night that his life changed forever, Viktor had stiffened so viscerally that Jayce had released him, sheepish, and he had never tried to hold him quite like that again.

It had taken months for Viktor to seem comfortable with being held around the shoulders. Jayce couldn’t help himself from touching, and Viktor had never outright told him no…but he held himself back from his more overt displays of affection. Then, he had just gotten used to it. It had become thoughtless.

“Is Viktor okay?” he asked, his voice quieter now. “You said he hit his head…”

“He insists he’s fine,” Sky replied, her voice tight with frustration. “But you need to take him to the hospital, Jayce. Just because he says he’s fine doesn’t mean he is. You and I both know that. This is serious—if it’s a reaction to his meds, they need to reevaluate. It might be an adverse reaction to his pain meds. He said he didn’t know if he took any this morning or not. I keep telling you guys that you need to make an alarm or something for him, or like a daily checklist. I swear, half these damn drugs can cause seizures, and half of them can’t be mixed around, and if I find out he actually drank some chemical concoction that he cooked up at home—oooh—I’ll lose it.”

This was too much information for Jayce to deal with. The only thing he was picking up from this conversation was that Viktor had the same sickness in this world that he did back in theirs, and that seemed like a bad joke. Not that Jayce minded Viktor’s disabilities, but he had hoped….he had hoped that Viktor would be freed from some of his pain in this second chance.

“Of course,” Jayce said softly. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Good,” Sky said. Her relief was evident. “Just… don’t let him convince you he’s fine, okay?”

The call disconnected, leaving Jayce in stunned silence. He stared at the address glowing on the map, his mind reeling.

Viktor is sick here. He’s been taking medication. How could he have the same sickness? That was caused by the gases in the fissures where he grew up….was there a place like Zaun in this new world?

Maybe the second chance was fixing this. Fixing it without Hextech. Jayce pulled back into traffic.

Or maybe it was about just being there for him, something he had failed at spectacularly the first time around. This wasn’t a redemption for Viktor. It was a chance for Jayce.

For Jayce to correct his mistakes.

-------------

Viktor sat stiffly on the examination table, his hands folded tightly in his lap. His mind buzzed with a mix of disbelief and exhaustion as Sky moved around the small office, checking his vitals. He had been half dragged, half carried to the office by a bunch of children, and he had thought he was going insane when Sky’s face came into view. They deposited him on a raised table, and she began her routine. First, shining a light into his eyes, then she moved on to check his blood pressure before listening to him breathe with a stethoscope pressed to his back.

Ms. Young. Sky.

She was just the same. Her hair pulled back into a puff, her glasses sitting low on her nose. She was wearing a simple floral dress with a pink cardigan and white running shoes. She was so effortlessly lovely. Just the same but also so different.

The last time he saw her was as she dissolved into the Hexcore’s consciousness, a victim of his desperation. Of his ambitions. Of his selfish desires. Yet here she was, alive, tangible, and scolding him.

“Let me at least call Jayce to pick you up,” Sky said, her voice warm but firm. She adjusted her glasses as she glanced at him. “You shouldn’t be driving right now.”

He couldn’t remember Sky ever speaking to him with authority. She had always been so soft-spoken and shy when she was alive, and then when they shared his body, they shared a more…cerebral relationship.

“Jayce?” Viktor asked, still disoriented. He was still trying to wrap his head around being alive…but also where he seemed to be.

Sky gave him a knowing look and crossed her arms. “Yes, Jayce. Your husband. I’m not letting you get on that bike to take yourself home after you had a seizure in your classroom. Be reasonable. I should just follow protocol and call the paramedics anyway, no matter how much you don’t want me to.”

Viktor’s mouth went dry. Husband? He blinked at her, struggling to piece together her words. “Of course. Where... where is Jayce?”

Sky tilted her head, studying him with a mix of concern and suspicion. “Um, probably at work right now?”

“Ah.”

That was unhelpful. The only answer he could come up with was the anomaly that boy had thrown at him. Time itself converged into a small singularity. It was the only explanation, but he had thought that it killed him…killed them. Instead, did he and Jayce get thrown into another parallel dimension?

Her brows furrowed as she leaned forward slightly. “Did you two have another argument?”

“What?” Viktor’s voice wavered, and he stiffened. “What do you mean?”

Sky sighed, pulling up a chair to sit across from him. “It’s just...you seem like…well, it just seems like you don’t know where he is…did he sleep at his mom's again?”

Viktor tried not to let his expression show his confusion. If Jayce was his husband, why would he have been sleeping at his mother’s? This life had more of a mystery than just the fact that he was here at all.

“No,” Viktor wracked his addled brain for something that might make sense, but nothing was coming to him.

“You sure? It’s been happening a lot lately. Yesterday, you said that he seems distant since your diagnosis…” She gave him a pointed look. “I get it. He’s been on some stuff lately, but stress isn’t good for you, Viktor. You know that. He should know that.”

Viktor stared at her, his chest tightening. He struggled to process her words as flashes of another life—one he hadn’t lived—flickered in his mind. Too many at once and too quick for him to follow. “Stuff?”

He felt like they were having two completely different conversations. Did he and Sky…talk like this? What was their relationship in this world?

Sky paused, frowning. “You hit your head pretty hard. Between that and the seizure, I really think you need to go to the hospital.”

“I’m fine, Ms. Young,” Viktor said quickly, though the words felt hollow even to him.

The only way he was going to figure this out was by playing along. If it was the anomaly that sent him here like the one that had taken Jayce to that horrible place…the world that would have been if he had succeeded in his cause…then that meant there could be solutions, ways back…

Back to what, exactly…..

The empty void? The perfect nothingness or back to the world he had almost destroyed with his arrogance and his ambitions and his…

Blindness.

But here in this world…

Jayce was his husband…

Was this a gift?

The idea that Jayce would ever marry him was foreign. But then Viktor remembered what Jayce had said…about loving him, admiring him, despite his imperfections.

Because of them.

If he pushed his mind he could remember a kiss as the world became nothing in blinding light. Exploding and imploding instantaneously until it was only them in the void.

“Don’t you, “Ms. Young” Me, asshole. I’m being serious.” Sky leaned back, arms crossed. “You’re always fine, huh? You’ll be in a hospital bed with machines hooked up to you, and you’ll still say you’re fine.” Her sharp tone made him flinch, but then she softened. “Look, if you won’t listen to me, maybe Jayce can convince you. I’m calling him.”

“Calling?”

“Yep, calling him right now, Buster,” Sky reached for a flat black device, which she playfully waved at him before exiting the room and leaving Viktor in silence.

He glanced around the nurse’s office, taking in the plain white walls, the beige furniture, and the hum of fluorescent lights. Everything felt so... mundane. There were no ornate windows, no vibrant colors, or intricate carvings. Just cold and impersonal blandness. He doubted this place was named Piltover. He doubted that he was on the same planet the way everything was so different. It didn’t feel the same here. There was something fundamental that he couldn’t put a finger on missing from this place…beyond the architecture.

He pressed his palms to his temples, trying to push through the fog in his brain.

Multiverse.

The concept of the multiverse lingered at the edge of theoretical science, an infinite lattice of realities, each branching off from a single choice, a single moment. Viktor had considered it once, in idle curiosity, dismissing it for more pressing matters that needed his attention. Playing with time had never been at his fingertips. They had crossed that fragile threshold, thrust into a universe that mirrored theirs yet diverged in critical ways. Somewhere, in the web of infinite outcomes, they had been plucked and placed here—not by chance, but by something far more deliberate.

Jayce had already done this once through the singularity at the Hex-gates. If they were truly in another universe, he and Jayce hadn’t simply appeared here. This body that he was in had been occupied, had a consciousness.

Quantum entanglement?

His gaze fell to his hands, studying the faint tremor in his fingers. This wasn’t his body—not entirely. It was familiar, yet... different. His hands were softer, the skin was smooth. His hair was longer than it used to be when he was young. Down to his shoulders. Though his body was the same lean thinness, there seemed to be more to it, a softness that Viktor had never had the diet to conceive with all the late nights at the lab and forgetting to eat.

A thought flickered: The consciousness transfer overtook the bodies already present. He swallowed hard, grappling with the moral implications. The Viktor who belonged here—what had happened to him?

Was he displaced?

Destroyed?

His chest tightened, and not just from the weight of the realization. A dull ache radiated from his lower back, pulsing with a rhythmic throb. He shifted, wincing as the old pain flared to life. He reached down, fingers brushing the smooth wood of the cane beside him.

Back to this again. The thought was bitter, laced with resignation. There had been merits to the body he gained with the Hexcore. He wished he didn’t feel that way, not after everything, but it seemed cruel that he would end up back where he started. Whether Jayce admired him for his imperfections or not.

Viktor flexed his knee, testing the stiffness. The joints creaked in protest, but they held. Not like before. His mind churned, assessing his physical state with clinical precision.

Not the crutch yet. Nor the leg brace.

The pain in his leg and hip suggested that it was coming soon, if not something he had used on occasion already.

That was a small mercy. Wherever this body was in its decline, it was manageable. Though the timeline seemed different from his own, he hadn’t gained his lung diagnosis until years after he had to start wearing his brace daily and needed more support than his cane allowed. Pressing his hand to his stomach, he could feel a support belt under his button-down for his spine. Yes, everything seemed to be out of alignment.

But then there was the other problem.

His lungs burned with a slow, steady heat. His throat had a rawness to it that implied heavy coughing. He inhaled deeply, feeling the resistance in his chest. A soft, wet rattle followed.

His eyes drifted to the prescription bottle on the desk, his name and dosage blurring into insignificance. The medication was tailored. His mind ticked through the possibilities. Sky had asked him earlier when he was still confused if he had taken his medication this morning and he had not known. That is when the scolding started.

Management, not cure.

It was a familiar grim prognosis. While this disease was probably genetic and not caused by his environment, it felt similar. Everything he had been running from seemed to follow him here. He wondered if there was a universe out there where he didn’t have to die too young.

Viktor knew how to live with limits. He always had.

Imperfections are beautiful. They are an inseparable part of everything….that I admire about you.

His thoughts spiraled back to the concept of transference. If he had come through, then logically...

Jayce.

A shiver ran down his spine. What if Jayce hadn’t made it? What if the Jayce in this world was a stranger? Someone with his face but none of his soul?

He wasn’t sure he could endure that. Not after everything.

If there was anything Viktor desired in this world or any other was to have Jayce back at his side. It had been the peace in the void, and it had been his salvation from the Hexcore. It had been the thing that kept him going for so long.

If Jayce had crossed over—if his Jayce was here—then they were both trapped in this strange, fractured reality. Together. They had a second chance.

But at what cost?

Suddenly, fragmented memories flickered to life. Flooding into him in a way that almost felt like the soul-rending horror of being shoved into this body.

He saw himself collapsing in a dimly lit classroom, papers scattered around him. A janitor’s startled face.

Waking up to bright hospital lights. Then Jayce—no, his husband—sitting at his bedside, face shadowed with worry. The Jayce in that memory looked handsome and polished. His hair slicked back, a neatly trimmed beard framing his face. Jayce’s voice echoed faintly—something about a diagnosis, a treatment plan

Then, in a brightly lit room that Viktor knew was their shared apartment, an argument that left a bitter taste in Viktor’s mouth.

Then, another flash: Jayce kissing him. The memory was vague but intense. Blurred at the edges and gone before he could hold onto it. Viktor reached up, fingers brushing over his lips as if trying to recapture the sensation.

The door opened, and Sky walked back in, her “calling” device clutched loosely in her hand. She gave Viktor an exasperated look, “Man, did both of you hit your heads or something? Jayce sounded way out of it on the phone.”

Viktor’s heart lurched. Jayce. Out of it. That meant disoriented.

If Jayce was sounding disoriented while Viktor had found himself in this new universe in this new body, that must mean his Jayce was here too.

They were both here. Together.

He had thought their last moments a top the Hex-gate would be the end—a final act of redemption. Everything he had done would collapse, and so would he. He would be lost to time, his name feared perhaps or completely forgotten, and he had made peace with that in his final moments.

Now, they were alive. Together.

How would Jayce look at him now after everything? Now that they weren’t at the end welcoming death. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to confront Jayce again. It was everything he feared and everything he wanted.

Sky’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “I’m serious, though. I’m not letting you get out of here without Jayce taking you to the hospital. You hit your head, and that seizure—”

“I am perfectly fine, Sky,” Viktor interrupted, waving her off with a flick of his hand. He needed to act as himself. He didn’t know what would happen if he was too suspicious. “You needn’t worry so much.”

“You passed out in front of a room full of teenagers,” Sky shot back, arms crossed. “That’s not exactly ‘fine,’ Professor. I don’t know what you think ‘fine’ looks like, but that’s not it.”

“I’ve had worse mornings,” Viktor quipped, leaning back on the table with a small smirk.

Sky raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what? A little seizure is just another Tuesday for you?”

Viktor shrugged. “I have been shot before.”

Sky blinked. “You—what?”

“It’s a long story,” Viktor said, enjoying the bewildered expression on her face, making light of the moment Jayce came into his sanctuary and sent an energy blast through his chest. “But suffice to say, a seizure? Not my most dramatic injury.”

Sky let out an incredulous laugh. “You’re impossible.”

“No, just difficult,” Viktor corrected with a tired smirk. “Jayce would tell you the same.”

“Oh, I know,” Sky muttered. “I get the weekly updates on that one. He’s just as bad as you, by the way. Both of you running yourselves into the ground like it’s a competition.”

Viktor chuckled softly, shaking his head. It was easy to fall into banter. “He always had a flair for dramatics.”

“And you don’t?” Sky shot back. “Please. If this was a contest, you’d both win.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Viktor said with a grin, then added slyly, “Though I’d prefer not to end up in the hospital to claim my prize.”

“Not negotiable,” Sky replied.

“I don’t think I had a seizure,” Viktor said, keeping his voice measured—calm. “I doubt the children would even know what that looks like.” He adjusted his position, suppressing a grimace as a familiar ache throbbed through his back. Hospitals were not an option—not now. There were bigger problems to address. He and Jayce needed to have a conversation, needed to figure out what had happened to them and how to navigate it.

Sky’s eyes narrowed. “Right. Because teenagers are just constantly making up medical emergencies for fun.” She leaned against the desk, arms still folded. “You were on the ground, twitching, Viktor. What do you think that looks like?”

“I—” Viktor paused, considering his next words carefully. “Are my students okay? It must have been... unsettling.”

Sky softened a little. “They’ll be fine. Just worried about you. One of them even tried calling 911 until I stopped them.”

Viktor quirked a brow. “How heroic. Perhaps I should offer extra credit.”

Sky snorted. “Extra credit for trying to save your life? Sounds fair. You could save everyone the trouble by taking care of yourself.” She gave him another pointed look. “You clocked in at 7 a.m., and your first class isn’t until 10:00. Thought I wouldn’t notice?”

Viktor frowned, the question rattling something loose in his mind. He reached for the memory, but it was slippery, like trying to catch smoke. A sudden, sharp pain spiked behind his eyes. A flash of something—an argument. Heated words exchanged in a familiar voice. Jayce’s voice.

“Jayce and I... did have an argument,” Viktor murmured, more to himself than to Sky.

Sky huffed, clearly unimpressed. “Figures. You two fight more than an old married couple. Oh, wait.” She shot him a smirk before adding, “I should give him a piece of my mind when he gets here. Where does he get off—”

Whatever else she planned to say was lost as the door burst open. Jayce stood there, disheveled and breathless, his hair sticking to his damp forehead, hanging in his face, and he had a beard. His eyes, wide and frantic, swept over the room until they landed on Viktor.

For a moment, Viktor froze. His mind betrayed him, dredging up the last time he saw Jayce’s face just before he shot Viktor with his hammer. The wild look in his eyes, his heaving shoulders. It was entirely different. There was no hammer in the man’s hands. He was only wearing a pair of slacks and a button-down, but that didn’t stop the flicker of fear that gripped him irrationally but insistent.

Would this Jayce kill him just the same?

Would this Jayce give up on him…

Then Jayce’s expression softened, the frantic edges dulling into something raw and vulnerable. Relief. Concern. His eyes became open and warm, and all the nerves Viktor was feeling at seeing Jayce again fled from his mind.

How could he have ever doubted this man?

“Viktor?” Jayce’s voice cracked, low, and unsteady.

Viktor’s breath hitched, the weight of everything settling on him at once. The tension bled from his body, leaving only exhaustion and a faint tremor in his voice, “Jayce.”

Jayce launched himself across the room, arms wrapping around Viktor in a crushing embrace before he could think. Viktor barely had time to react as Jayce pressed against him, his larger frame nearly knocking him backward. He had to spread his legs to accommodate Jayce’s body as he pressed himself completely to Viktor’s front. For a moment, Viktor sat frozen, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all, the warmth, the pressure, the sheer presence of Jayce. His mind stuttered, caught between memories and the reality unfolding before him. He didn’t think Jayce had held him like this more than 3 times in their entire relationship. And only once before he died the first time.

Jayce buried his face against Viktor’s neck, his breath hot and ragged. Viktor felt a dampness there, and it took him a second to realize Jayce was crying. The sound of Jayce’s voice, rough and cracking, was almost painful to hear.

“Are you okay?” Jayce whispered, the words barely audible.

Viktor hesitated, glancing at Sky, who was still standing in the doorway. The weight of her gaze made him painfully aware of how intimate this moment was. She had a skeptical look on her face as if she was really taking everything in and analyzing it. His instinct was to pull away, to shield this tenderness from prying eyes. But Jayce’s grip was ironclad, and for once, Viktor allowed himself to indulge. He raised trembling hands and rested them against Jayce’s broad back, pressing his fingertips into the firm muscles. Hot, firm flesh yielding to his touch, Jayce melting even further against him.

He could feel Jayce’s heartbeat pounding through his own chest. He could feel him breathing as if they shared lungs. He was hot like the furnace he spent hours working metal in front of, and he smelled like sweat and cologne. Strong biceps bulging as if to crush Viktor, as if even this was not close enough. Viktor pressed his fingers in harder as everything tingled with pleasure, making his toes curl in his stiff shoes. It was becoming hard to breathe. Jayce’s heat permeated into his own body. Viktor felt consumed by it.

“Yes, Jayce. I am alright,” Viktor said softly, though the words felt strange in his mouth. He wasn’t entirely sure of their truth, but he needed to say them—for Jayce’s sake, if not his own.

Sky cleared her throat, breaking the tension. “Okay, that’s enough of the dramatics. I’m calling the principal to get a sub. I don’t want to see you for the rest of the week, Vik.”

Viktor shot her a withering look. “Oh, how generous of you. Shall I also provide you with a daily health report while I’m at it?”

It was so easy to fall into this banter with her. It had never been this way in his own past life. He hoped that he was doing this life’s Viktor justice in being himself. Of playing this off as if he was who he was pretending to be.

“Yes. You can email it. With attachments.” Sky smirked. “I’m serious, Viktor. I don’t want to see you until Monday, and there better be a note from your doctor on my desk.”

Viktor rolled his eyes. He didn’t understand what an email was, but he got the gist of her joke. “Of course. Shall I bring flowers too? Maybe chocolates? I hear bribes work wonders in the administrative office.”

“Brilliant idea,” Sky quipped. “Jayce, be a good husband and keep your man at home.”

Jayce chuckled a bit sheepishly, glancing between Sky and Viktor as though unsure how to navigate the moment. The word husband wasn’t getting any easier to hear—not because it was strange, but because it felt right. Viktor felt that pull toward Jayce, that magnetic connection that defied logic.

Viktor raised an eyebrow at him. “Careful, Jayce. She’s trying to recruit you to her side.”

“I’d never dare,” Jayce murmured, his eyes softening as they met Viktor’s. For a moment, Jayce was lost again, seeing echoes of a thousand moments all colliding at once. Viktor’s hair was longer now, but it framed his face beautifully. His eyes—real amber, bright, and honey-warm—were mesmerizing. The cold, silver sheen of the Hexcore was gone, replaced by the warmth that Jayce had thought was lost.

The desire to kiss him was so strong and familiar that he had no idea how he hadn’t realized what it was before. It had been so twisted up in his admiration that he had mistaken it, but no longer. It took all of his will to stand still and not indulge himself. Not throw himself at Viktor again. Not taste his lips.

Helping Viktor off the table, Jayce instinctively reached for his cane. It was familiar, almost nostalgic—the same cane Viktor had used when they first met. Jayce’s heart clenched at the sight, but there was also relief.

Sky hovered near the door, hands on her hips. “I mean it, guys. Take a break. Rest. And no arguments.” She leveled a pointed look at Jayce.

Jayce nodded, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

As they left the office, Jayce slipped his hand into Viktor’s, intertwining their fingers. He couldn’t stop himself—it felt vital, like if he let go, Viktor might vanish. And Jayce couldn’t take that risk. Not again.

Viktor glanced down at their joined hands but said nothing, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Chapter Text

“I crave your mouth, your voice, your hair. Silent and starving, I prowl through the streets.”

— Pablo Neruda

-------------

They exited through the school’s front office, stepping into the parking lot. Viktor blinked. The overcast light bathed everything in a greyish hue. The air was thick with moisture and the scent of rain. The world around them seemed subdued. It was nothing like anything he had ever seen before. The buildings loomed, massive and identical, stretching upward like faceless giants. Even the school, though squat compared to the towering skyscrapers, shared their sharp, angular lines. The sky was a slate-grey expanse that made everything feel more compressed. It wasn’t the vibrant dark chaos of Zaun nor the mechanical heartbeat of Piltover. It was something else entirely.

Which only contributed to Viktor’s hypothesis that this was not Piltover at all. It may not even be Runeterra.

Jayce’s hand pulled Viktor’s, guiding him toward a sleek, blue vehicle parked near the edge of the lot. Viktor tilted his head at it, intrigued by its design. It was low to the ground, all smooth curves and sharp angles. He followed Jayce’s lead, his head still pounding from the transference and the fall.

The man opened the door for him and helped him slide into the passenger seat before moving on to his own. Viktor tried not to feel like an invalid. He knew Jayce didn’t mean to make him feel that way, and the man seemed somewhat out of it, given the circumstances—Viktor could forgive him. The door closed with a soft click, sealing them inside.

For a moment, they simply sat there in their own little bubble, the strangeness of the outside world muffled. Jayce pressed a button, and the car purred to life, its dashboard illuminating. Viktor studied it, intrigued by the unfamiliar technology.

“Fascinating.”

Jayce’s knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. “Is it you?” he asked softly, his voice hesitant. “V?”

Viktor turned, studying Jayce’s profile. His partner’s eyes remained fixed ahead as if afraid of what he might see if he looked at him. “Is there something you wish to ask me? To be certain?”

Jayce finally glanced over, his gaze searching. Then, after a beat, his lips curved into a small, relieved smile. “No. I think that was it.”

Viktor inclined his head. “Good. I trust you know where we should go?”

Jayce nodded and tapped the car’s touchscreen, selecting a destination. HOME.

As they pulled out of the lot, Viktor settled into his seat, observing the city beyond the window. The streets were wide, lined with towering glass-and-steel buildings. People bustled along the sidewalks, umbrellas bobbing like colorful shields against the drizzle. The skyline was a jagged silhouette against the dim sky, dotted with glowing signs and advertisements. Seattle, Viktor recalled, from the fragmented memories trickling into his mind.

“So,” Viktor began, his voice breaking the silence, “we were pulled into some kind of anomaly? That device that boy had—it didn’t just displace us. It brought us here. Another world entirely.”

“Yes, just like the singularity at the Hex-gates.” Jayce wasn’t sure what “boy” Viktor was talking about.

“Hmmm,” Viktor replied, his gaze still on the passing scenery. “This is not Piltover. Nor Zaun. In fact...” He paused, turning back to Jayce. “I do not think this is even Runeterra.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed. “Then we’re in a different world completely. And if this world doesn’t have magic—”

“—then returning may not be possible.” Viktor finished for him, his voice calm despite the weight of the realization.

Jayce exhaled, his grip tightening on the wheel. “Yeah.”

Viktor’s gaze softened. “Do you wish to leave?”

Jayce hesitated, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel. His eyes flickered between the road and Viktor’s face. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to want,” he admitted finally, voice low. “We were ready to die back there. This... this feels like a second chance.”

They had only been here for less than an hour. It was hard to make judgments. So far, the world itself seemed strange and bland, but it also felt natural. So many things were good here, and they had yet to really experience anything but confusion and throwing up. Sky being alive. Them being married.

Viktor nodded slowly, understanding the turmoil beneath Jayce’s words. Jayce reached out then, placing his hand firmly on Viktor’s leg and giving it a reassuring squeeze, letting his thumb trace a small circle on Viktor’s thigh. His need for touch was palpable. This was one that he had never initiated before. Jayce usually kept his touches to Viktor’s back and shoulders. The occasional breach of personal space from behind to look over a shoulder. Any other touches had been purely practical in nature. Viktor didn’t pull away. Instead, he covered Jayce’s hand with his own, their fingers interlacing. This was a new thing for them, and Viktor wanted to embrace it wholeheartedly.

He could see the tension release from Jayce’s shoulders, His body practically melting in his seat as he drove. He huffed a sigh as he let himself sink in comfort.

“It does seem that we do have an ethical dilemma on our hands…” Viktor also let himself relax, running his fingers idly over Jayce’s, “What happened to the…consciousnesses that were once in these bodies.”

Jayce’s fingers reflexively squeezed Viktor’s thigh again, “I don’t know. This is different from when I went through before…that time I was fully transported to the future…dimension. The other me…the one from that timeline, his body was still there. We weren’t….combined.”

“Mm.”

Jayce glanced at him, “What do you think?”

Viktor met his eyes, “I think that I have been getting memories that are not my own, which would imply that the other consciousness is still in this body….” he shifted uncomfortably, for a moment wishing that he could connect to that realm in his mind after fusing with the Hexcore. How he could see so much and how, Sky, her consciousness had been preserved there. He could interact with it.

“I know your thinking about something, come on, out with it.”

Outside, the rain began to fall, soft and steady, blurring the city lights into a watercolor of motion and color. Automatically, the car’s windshield wipers were spurred into motion, slicking back and forth rhythmically. The world outside felt distant—disconnected.

“I was just…missing a moment in time, that is all.”

“Why don’t I believe you?” Jayce smiled then, it transformed his face and made him look boyish again.

“I…if I still had that connection, in the Hexcore with the Arcane…I would be able to see if there was another consciousness residing within this body with me.” Viktor turned away to look out the window. The shame was trying to creep up his throat and threatened to spill out of his eyes.

“Hey,” Jayce was squeezing again, conscious of it this time, adjusting his hand higher as he turned his body slightly toward Viktor while keeping his eyes and mind on the road. “We can talk about it, you know….you’re allowed to miss it, too. It was beautiful. It’s no wonder you didn’t see it for what it was, V. I don’t blame you for any of it. No one would.”

Viktor kept his eyes on the city but gently squeezed Jayce’s hand in reassurance.

“We’ll figure it all out, V. You and me together? There's nothing we can’t do.”

-------------

The drive wasn’t long. They reached a building that looked exactly like every other building they had passed, and the car’s map voice chimed, announcing they had arrived, though Jayce wasn’t entirely sure where “home” was supposed to be.  Jayce followed the signs marked with a blue “P” down into an underground garage. The low hum of the car’s engine echoed off the concrete walls, the space stretching into a maze of steel columns and fluorescent lights. His hands moved on instinct, guided by some unseen memory as though his body knew what to do when his mind didn’t.

They navigated through the labyrinthine garage until they found it: a parking spot marked 1404. A small plaque mounted on the wall bore his name in clean, silver letters: Jayce Talis. He pulled the car into the spot and powered it down. Beside it, another spot, identical except for the name: Viktor Talis.

Jayce’s chest tightened, warmth blooming in his stomach. His lips twitched into a small, stunned smile. Talis. Viktor had never told him his last name. He’d asked once, years ago, and Viktor had brushed it off, dismissing the question entirely. But now... Now, they shared the same name.

“Interesting,” Viktor murmured as Jayce moved to help him out of the car, his amber eyes flicking to the sign.

Jayce grinned, “You’ve got good taste.”

Viktor chuckled softly, leaning on his cane as they made their way toward the entrance. The building itself was sleek, modern, and impersonal—glass and steel towering above them. They approached a set of glass doors, their reflections slightly distorted in the polished surface.

A touchpad with a keypad was mounted beside the doors, its small indicator light glowing red. Jayce paused, pulling the keys from his pocket. Among them was a flat black disk, smooth and featureless. He hesitated for a moment, then lifted the keys toward the pad.

The disk hovered just close enough to trigger a response—a soft chime and the light shifting from red to green. The door clicked open, and Jayce pushed it inward, holding it for Viktor to step through.

They entered a tiny pristine lobby with only enough room for a small table and chairs across from the elevator, the soft lighting illuminated the marble floors. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of fresh polish. They moved toward the elevator, its golden doors gleaming in the muted light. Jayce pressed the call button, and within seconds, the doors slid open with a quiet whoosh.

Inside, gold trim gleamed, and mirrored walls reflected their tired faces. It was elegant, almost opulent. Viktor ran his fingers over the cool metal, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He looked the same but so different. His hair was much longer than he was used to. He had let it grow while he built the commune, but it hadn’t reached past his shoulders like this. There were no streaks of white either from the Hexcore’s contamination. His face had the fullness of his youth, yet he knew that this body was perhaps older than he was before, but not by much.

“I look so different,” he said quietly, glancing at Jayce. “So do you, in a way.”

Jayce nodded, pressing the button for the 14th floor. The soft whir of the elevator surrounded them as they began their ascent. “I think you’re beautiful.”

Viktor turned away for a moment. Jayce could say the most direct things sometimes, and he was not used to his affection being so open. Not in this way. To know that Jayce looked at him and truly saw him, thought that he was beautiful even at his most horrific was something Viktor had not had time to come to terms with. Perhaps if they had spent more time in the vast nothingness, he would be able to comprehend it. Attraction was easy—simple. It was a natural part of life that he indulged in often before meeting Jayce.

This was something far more consuming.

As the elevator climbed, Viktor tilted his head. “I wonder how we should navigate this. Will our first order of business be how we are here?”

Jayce shifted, resting his back against the mirrored wall. “When I got pulled into the future by the wild rune, I ended up in that other timeline where you’d gone full Glorious Evolution on everything.” Jayce’s face contorted in suppressed amusement as if the horror Viktor had wrought on the world hadn’t been as devastating as it was. Like it hadn’t ended in their own deaths and the deaths of thousands of others. “But I think it was you who brought me there. I had gotten separated from Heimerdinger and Ekko. I don’t know what happened to them. But you…that future version of you had a hand in where I went.”

“Heimerdinger? Ekko? You were not alone when you were taken?” This was news to Viktor; he had not seen any others with Jayce in his vision, but it had been limited.

“Yes, they, uh, they came to figure out why some tree down in the fissures was being affected by the Arcane. We realized it might have to do with the Hex-gates, so we went down to check. It's how we got pulled in in the first place.”

Viktor processed that information, “And you do not know where Heimerdinger and this ‘Ekko’ were sent?”

“No, they didn’t come to my world, and well, after I got back, I never saw them again.” Jayce looked rather guilty at that, though from what it sounded like, Jayce had little to no control over any of it.

“We are inhabiting these versions of ourselves.” Viktor’s voice was thoughtful—analytical. “Two consciousnesses sharing a body.”

Jayce nodded slowly. “Which raises the question: where are the originals? Are they... gone? Or are they still in here somewhere?”

Viktor’s brow furrowed as he considered the implications. “Uncertain. But…” He hesitated. “I wish I could know what Heimerdinger would say; I wonder if he experienced this, unlike you. I wonder if they are still in whatever world he was sent to. His guidance would be invaluable right now.”

Jayce sighed, leaning his head back against the mirrored wall. “Yeah, Heimerdinger would probably have a hundred theories by now. And Ekko—he was a smart kid.” His eyes darkened briefly. “I hope they’re okay. I hate not knowing.”

Viktor nodded thoughtfully, he pressed his fingers to his temple the pounding in his head was persistent. “We must focus on what we do know. And right now, that is our own predicament. The rest… it will have to wait.”

Jayce’s concern flared, his eyes flicking over Viktor. “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe we should—”

Viktor lifted a hand to stop him, voice firm but gentle. “Jayce, we both know why I fainted. It is not due to any illness this body might have.” He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. “It was the… adjustment.”

Jayce’s frown deepened, but he relented, a reluctant nod following. “Still. If something feels off, you’ll tell me?”

Viktor allowed a small smile to form. “I will. There is no need for you to hover.”

Jayce huffed a quiet laugh, pushing off the wall. “Hovering’s part of the package.”

Viktor shook his head, stepping forward just as the elevator chimed, announcing their arrival on the 14th floor. They stood in silence for a moment as the doors slid open, the quiet hum of the hallway ahead.

Jayce hesitated, then added softly, “No matter what we find—or what we don’t—I’m not going anywhere, Viktor.”

Viktor glanced at him, and after a beat, he gave a slight nod. “Come. Let us see what this new life holds.”

The hallway stretched before them, bathed in soft light. Gold accents lined the white and blue walls, evoking a sense of familiarity—like stepping into a Piltover estate. Viktor wondered if their other selves had been drawn to this place by the familiarity of it. Like they were walking in a dream, reaching for a world outside of their own where everything was opulent in comparison. Viktor walked slowly, his cane tapping against the marble floor.

Apartment 1404.

Jayce fumbled with the key ring, trying three different keys before finding the right one. Viktor arched an amused brow, leaning casually against the doorframe. It felt like the night that changed everything. Sneaking into Heimerdinger’s lab with the desperate hope of making magic.

“Need help?”

“I’ve got it,” Jayce grumbled, unlocking the door with a satisfying click.

He stood up with a triumphant grin and held the door open. Viktor stepped past him into an inviting entryway. It was a narrow hall lined with coat hooks. Jackets neatly hung alongside umbrellas and a spare cane. A low shoe rack stood against the wall, already filled. A small table near the door and a chair that Viktor utilized at once to remove his shoes.

There was a framed photograph sitting on the table that caught Jayce’s eye as he was tossing the keys down and hanging his satchel. He picked it up, staring intently at the image. A younger version of himself, shirtless, sitting on a beach towel under a large umbrella. Viktor lounged between his legs, wearing sunglasses and a simple white t-shirt. Jayce’s chin rested on Viktor’s shoulder, both of them smiling at the camera—relaxed, content.

Viktor, now in his socks, peered around Jayce’s arm. “Hmph. I had forgotten how good I looked back then, even in our own world.”

Jayce snorted, a grin tugging at his lips. “Back then? You look good now.”

Viktor smirked. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

Viktor’s stomach warmed. He wasn’t used to this open and easy affection. There was a time when he had suiters or at least temporary dalliances. They didn’t last long. He had never wanted them to. They were a means to scratch an itch, and when Jayce and Hextech came into his life, that thing that drove him to seek those desires had slipped away. Jayce had never seemed to return his affections or desires. He had seemed to only enjoy women, though he was just as consumed by their work and rarely indulged himself as far as Viktor knew. Viktor had only noticed a few in the beginnings of their partnership before Mel slipped herself into Jayce’s bed. They had all been women.

Viktor tried not to let the jealousy fester. It was old and needn’t taint their new life. Or whatever this was, whether temporary or permanent. It was one of those many imperfections, sure, that Jayce was referring to when he said all those beautiful things, but after the way he had acted upon it in the end was something frightening to him. He had thought that in that form, the farther away from human he became, so too he would be distanced from human emotion, but that hadn’t been true at all. He had just been stripped of everything that had been holding him back from acting on his most base feelings. The ugliest parts of himself for everyone to bear witness.

Viktor made his way farther into the apartment, and Jayce set the frame down to scramble out of his own shoes. The walls of the foyer were lined with more photographs, chronicling a life neither of them remembered but somehow belonged to. Wedding photos—Jayce in a crisp white suit, Viktor standing beside him in red. Pictures of family: Jayce’s mother and Viktor’s parents. Candid shots of Caitlyn and Vi laughing together. Viktor hadn’t realized that Caitlyn and Violet knew each other. Perhaps that was unique to this world. A group photo of Viktor surrounded by students, Sky standing beside him with a broad grin.

It was a life, whole and complete, unfolding before them in snapshots.

Jayce came up beside Viktor. His partner focused on the photos lining the walls and went past. His eyes drifted to the living room beyond—a wide, open space with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the city skyline. The furniture was massive but comfortable. Everything was in deep greens and browns, making it feel earthy and comfortable. Different from most of the interiors they had seen so far. A couch so massive that in any other room would have taken over somehow looked natural in the wide open space. What walls were not glass were covered in shelves stuffed and overflowing with books. A wide open kitchen, and there in the corner by the window was a small breakfast table that looked exactly like one of the memories Jayce had of Viktor.

The moment they stepped inside, the apartment’s sheer size took Jayce’s breath away. High ceilings and expansive windows let in the late afternoon light. It was extravagant and luxurious, nothing like his fairly modest apartment near the lab. Nor anything like Viktor’s quarters at the academy that he still lived in despite Jayce's offering that they move in together. He had a hard time picturing Viktor living in this space. It was so open and bright. He was used to Viktor buried in his stacks of books, in the warm glow of soft lighting because he hated the “big light”, said it ruined his focus. This whole place was full of bright light filtering in from the windows. The only spot that seemed like him was the small kitchen table. Looking around, he could tell that if the space was any smaller, Viktor would have filled it completely with the amount of books cluttering the massive shelves.

Jayce let out a low whistle. “I guess we’re doing well for ourselves.”

Viktor, leaning slightly on his cane, tilted his head as he took in the space. “Eeh, It is a little… ostentatious, don’t you think?” he muttered, arching a brow.

Jayce chuckled. “I think you haven’t changed at all.”

He looked devastatingly fond of Viktor in that moment, and the other man couldn’t bear it. He turned away, wandering to the wall of windows.

 “It is reassuring, I hope?”

Viktor was feeling more like himself than he had in years, well before the Hexcore. He had been losing himself for a while to despair. But there was a lightness to being alive again, no matter how temporary it was going to be.

“Yes, it is.” Jayce’s voice came out soft—reverent—as he placed a broad hand on Viktor’s shoulder, pulling him into a slight embrace. One of his usual side hugs that Viktor had gotten so used to, but now it felt charged. Warmer somehow. More intimate.

The wall of windows led out to a large balcony. Viktor paused, squinting at the view. The city stretched out below them, a sprawling maze of glass and steel. “An extravagant waste of space unless you enjoy being blasted by wind,” Viktor quipped, tapping his cane against the glass.

There was a small table and two chairs arranged artfully out there, and it was filled with potted plants. Vines clinging to the balcony railing and crawling up the walls. Viktor wondered who out of the two of them had the green thumb. They didn’t seem to have the same amount of plant life on the inside.

Jayce grinned. “Missed this. You being a smartass.”

Viktor’s gaze flicked to him, a small smirk forming. “It is a skill.”

Jayce laughed and moved his hand to the small of Viktor’s back as they ventured on, heading down a hallway past the kitchen. Viktor wondered if the warmth that was spreading through his body from that hand was real or imagined. The first door on the right opened into a sleek, high-tech lab. Various robotic limbs and half-assembled gadgets cluttered the room. Blueprints and designs for weapons were pinned to a board on the far wall.

Jayce wandered in, running a hand over a mechanical arm. “Well, now I know what it is this version of me does. I was curious.”

Viktor peered at the designs, tapping a schematic. “Weapons and limbs?”

Viktor wasn’t sure how he felt about that. It seemed a mirror to the suggestion to weaponize Hextech. Something that Viktor had not been privy to until it had been too late. At that point, Viktor had already crossed the line into the unthinkable, and he could not blame Jayce for his mistake. They both made immeasurable mistakes.

Would continue to, probably.

Jayce shot him a look, a slight frown on his face. “I guess so.”

Viktor’s eyes softened, sensing Jayce’s unease. “It is not necessarily a bad thing,” he said, almost to himself, eyes lingering on the blueprints. “Intent matters.” He tapped the schematic again. “Perhaps this is for something... different. You always have a vision beyond destruction. In fact, I do not believe you have ever intended harm in anything you have pursued.”

The idea of creating weapons, no matter the intent, was hard to grapple with, but they didn’t know these versions of themselves yet. Perhaps there was time to stop this from happening.

Jayce hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Yeah. Maybe.” He offered a small smile. “Thanks, V.”

Viktor shrugged. “Though it does answer the question why we are not doing this together.”

“You think?” Jayce’s shoulders slumped.

Viktor didn’t answer. He looked around the room. There was a thought plaguing his mind. Arguments. This world’s versions of them were…struggling, if what Sky had implied was true. Perhaps this was the cause.

The next door revealed a study that was undeniably Viktor’s. Warm lighting, towering bookshelves, and papers scattered across the desk made it feel lived-in. A threadbare armchair sat in one corner, and a faint scent of old books and chemicals.

Jayce leaned against the doorframe and watched Viktor step inside. “This feels like you.”

Viktor picked up a paper covered in red-inked comments. He skimmed it, lips curling into a satisfied smile. “Mm. Apparently, I’m a harsh grader.”

Jayce laughed. “You’re terrifying.”

Viktor set the paper down with a soft huff, but his eyes were amused.

“More terrifying than, say, me presenting myself as an omniscient deity intent on destroying the world with a collective hive mind?”

Jayce let out a startled laugh, “I’m glad you can joke about it, V….I thought you were beautiful then too, you know…but I missed you. I missed the you that I knew.” Jayce approached him, and Viktor’s heart stuttered.

“I… you’ve always been beautiful, Viktor,” Jayce continued softly, his voice low—reverent. “In every form. Even when I feared you, I… I couldn’t. Not completely. When I had to—” He broke off, swallowing hard, his eyes darkening with the memory. “Killing you… was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. It felt like tearing my own heart out. When I saw you again, floating in that strange orb room, I almost—” He stepped closer, lifting a hand as if to touch Viktor’s face.

Viktor’s breath hitched, his pulse was pounding in his ears. The weight of Jayce’s eyes on him, the raw honesty in his voice, was too much. Too close. His chest tightened, panic crawling up his spine. He could feel Jayce’s warmth, sense the moment hovering between them.

A beat passed, then Viktor’s lips quirked into a wry smile. “Well,” he said, voice deliberately sarcastic, “you do know how to make a moment feel like the end of the world.”

Jayce blinked, startled by the shift. “Vik—”

“Come,” Viktor interrupted, stepping past him with a slight brush of their shoulders. “There is still more to see, yes?” He didn’t look back, keeping his movements brisk and controlled.

Jayce stood frozen for a second, watching him go, confusion flickering in his eyes. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair before trailing after him. “You can’t dodge me forever.”

Viktor shot a glance over his shoulder, one brow arched. “I would not underestimate me.”

Jayce huffed, shaking his head. “Terrifying.”

They passed by a simple guest room and a small bathroom before crossing the open space of the living room to the master bedroom. It was massive, dominated by a large bed with dark grey bedding. On one side, a nightstand held a framed photo of Viktor and a glowing clock. On the other, books and a half-empty glass of water cluttered the surface.

Viktor picked up the photo, studying it. It was a twin of the picture in the foyer. The beach scene was just slightly different. Jayce was shirtless, sitting behind Viktor, who lounged between his legs. Jayce’s chin rested on Viktor’s shoulder, but instead of both of them smiling at the camera they had their heads tilted looking at each other.

“That’s my favorite set of pictures, apparently,” Jayce said softly.

Viktor set the frame down. “You have good taste.”

“Yeah. I do.”

They moved to the adjoining bathroom, where a freestanding bathtub took center stage. The shower, enclosed in glass, was large enough for two. Gold accents gleaming.

Viktor quirked a brow. “I didn’t realize we would live in a palace.”

He took in the space, the sheer size of it still unsettling. Viktor had never imagined himself living somewhere this extravagant. Even when the Hex-gates began raking in money, he had chosen to remain in the modest professors’ quarters at the academy. It had felt practical. It was home. He didn’t need much, and he was always at the lab anyway.

Jayce had once tried to convince him to move in together. But Viktor couldn’t bear the thought. Spending every day under the same roof, pretending he didn’t want more, pretending he didn’t crave something Jayce could never give. He understood the reality of biological needs, but the idea of seeing it firsthand—Jayce with someone else, smiling, loving, existing—felt unbearable. He would have broken. He maintained a certain level of distance for that exact reason. He purposely kept himself unaware of Jayce’s possible dalliances.

Jayce smirked. “This must be my doing. I can’t imagine you picking this place.”

Viktor snorted but seemed amused. He glanced at Jayce, eyes thoughtful.

Jayce gestured toward the shower. “Go ahead. You should go first. Long day, new universe, mysterious fate—it calls for a shower.”

Viktor tilted his head, studying him for a moment. “So generous.”

“Always.”

Viktor huffed but turned toward the shower. Jayce left the open doorway, and that is when Viktor noticed that…there wasn’t a door separating the bathroom from the bedroom. It was just open. He wondered if the other versions of themselves had ever heard of privacy?

-------------

Viktor dug through one of the closets that was obviously his. There were work clothes hung on the rack and drawers at the bottom that seemed to hold more casual wear. He pulled out a black shirt that was a little large on him, but it didn’t seem a thing he would wear out of the house. The Misfits was emblazoned across the chest a ghostly white face painted on it, bold and worn in a way that suggested it had seen many wash cycles. It didn’t matter if he didn’t recognize the name. Paired with soft, charcoal sweatpants, it was comfortable, and comfort was exactly what he needed after the surreal day he’d had.

Padding into the massive kitchen, Viktor took a slow, measured look around. Everything gleamed, all brass accents and sleek surfaces. He ran his fingers over the cool marble countertops, noting the contrast between this extravagance and the utilitarian spaces he was used to. In Zaun, all this space just for a kitchen was unimaginable. The small apartment he had lived in with his parents growing up could fit in half of this kitchen’s size. It was wasteful. Even in his quarters at the academy, he only had a small kitchenette. This felt like it belonged in a catalog—unused, unfeeling.

His gaze drifted across the sleek, minimalist countertops. Nothing out in the open, not even a stray utensil. Viktor frowned, brushing his hair back as he scanned the cabinets. He started with one above the stove—empty. Another yielded only neatly stacked dishes. The third, to his relief, revealed a collection of coffee-making tools: a coffee press, still gleaming like it had barely been used, and a small grinder nestled next to it.

Perfect.

Reaching up, he pulled the press down carefully, placing it on the counter before returning to the cabinet. Various bags of coffee were lined up in a neat row, their packaging ranging from luxurious to downright ridiculous. One, wrapped in what looked like recycled newspaper, caught his attention. Another was matte black with gold lettering, promising “Notes of caramel and stone fruit.” Viktor arched a brow, dismissing it with a scoff.

Finally, he settled on a simple bag labeled Cold Brew Roast. He had no idea what that meant, but the lack of ostentation appealed to him. Setting the bag aside, he turned his attention to finding the kettle.

It didn’t take long. A large, copper-bottomed kettle sat on a lower shelf near the stove. He pulled it out, running a hand over the cool metal before filling it with water from the sink. It felt substantial. Similar to the one he was used to in his apartment. Returning to the stove, Viktor hesitated. The appliance was beautiful in a Piltover sort of way, all polished brass and steel, designed to look old but obviously modern. It was the sort of thing Viktor suspected Jayce would have chosen—equal parts aesthetic and function. Though it was so clean that it looked unused, Viktor could not understand why they would need such an extravagant appliance if they did not cook often.

He examined the knobs, finally settling on one marked with a flame icon. With a twist, the gas hissed softly, followed by a satisfying whoosh as the burner ignited. Blue flames licked at the bottom of the kettle, and Viktor allowed himself a small, pleased smile.

Simple enough.

While the water heated, Viktor set to work measuring out coffee grounds, pouring them into the press with the same precision he would have applied to any experiment. Each step was deliberate. When the kettle finally whistled, he poured the water in a slow, steady stream, watching as the grounds bloomed and darkened the liquid.

Now, patience.

The aroma filled the kitchen as he let the coffee steep, leaning back against the counter. In the quiet, his thoughts returned to Jayce, to the way he had leaned in earlier, eyes full of affection. Lips ready to descend upon his own. Something he had wanted for so long, and yet—

What are you afraid of? the question lingered in his mind, unanswered.

The clock over the stove turned over—five minutes passed. Viktor pushed down the plunger, poured the coffee into a mug, and added “oat” milk from the fridge. A quick search of the cabinets yielded a small jar of sugar, which he spooned in without hesitation. Cup in hand, he made his way back to the living room, curling up on the large couch. The soft rush of the shower from the bedroom reminded him Jayce was still nearby, but for now, Viktor allowed himself this moment of peace, cradling the warmth in his hands.

His mind wandered back to the moment in the study. Jayce had leaned in—close enough that Viktor could still feel the ghost of that warmth on his skin. He had almost kissed him. Almost.

Viktor exhaled sharply, his hand tightening around his mug. Why had he pulled away? Jayce had wanted to kiss him. Wants. The longing in those eyes had been unmistakable, and yet, something deep, something old and festering, had flared to life inside Viktor at that moment. A quiet voice whispering, warning. It was an old insecurity. He hated admitting it, but that’s what it was. Still there, lurking beneath the surface, no matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise.

When had it started? He wasn’t sure. Maybe it had always been there, waiting for the right moments to claw its way up. He had known that he was an attractive man. He had a mirror, he knew his own face, and despite the limitations of his body, he had never had issues pulling in men who wanted him. He thought back to the trial—the first time he saw Jayce after the arrest. Broken, defiant, beautiful. Then later, during their transcendent night together, where they talked until the early hours, minds aligning in a rare moment of perfect synchronicity. How, together, they cracked the code that would eventually become Hextech. Viktor had felt something then.

But then Mel. Always Mel. She had caught them breaking into Heimerdinger’s lab and he could see the way Jayce reacted to her beauty.

Before he could even truly let himself indulge in the fantasy of having Jayce in that way beyond just a partnership, Viktor, unwilling to confront the sharp sting of rejection, had buried his feelings under barriers and boundaries that he would never let himself cross. So deep he had almost forgotten them. He had convinced himself that was all they could ever be—scientific partners, nothing more.

Until it hadn’t been.

Until he changed. Until the Hexcore changed him. Perfection, he had thought. A new body, unshackled by limitations. He had believed—truly believed—that it would be enough. That Jayce would see him, want him, love him, in every way Viktor had dreamed but never dared admit aloud. But Jayce hadn’t. Jayce had rejected him completely, and it had broken something inside him, driving him deeper into his obsession, deeper into oblivion.

And yet… Jayce came back.

He proved his love. Proved it in ways that defied reason and transcended loss. Viktor knew that now. He did. But knowing it and feeling secure in it were different things.

Why am I nervous?

It wasn’t his body—he had long since made peace with that. It wasn’t Jayce’s feelings either; Viktor knew Jayce loved him. The way he looked at him, the way he spoke—it was undeniable. No, the nerves were his. His own stubborn heart, still learning how to trust that this—they—were real.

He took a sip of the coffee, letting the warmth spread through him. Jayce would be out soon, and when he was… Viktor would try again.

-------------

Jayce emerged from the bedroom, still drying his hair with a towel. The white t-shirt clung to his damp shoulders, and his grey sweatpants hung low on his hips. His steps faltered as he took in the sight before him.

Viktor was curled up on the couch, one leg tucked beneath him, a mug of coffee cradled in his hands. His face was soft, bathed in the golden light filtering through the room. He looked… content. Peaceful in a way Jayce rarely saw. The warmth of it crashed over Jayce, leaving him breathless.

This. This was everything.

Every ambition, every temptation that had ever drawn him away from Viktor, suddenly felt hollow. What had he been chasing when everything he truly needed was right here? He’d spent years distracted by power, prestige, and the illusion of fulfillment. But this—Viktor, soft and warm and here—was his heart’s truest desire.

Viktor stirred slightly, lifting the mug to his lips, eyes focused on some distant thought. When he finally looked up, their eyes locked, and Jayce’s breath caught in his throat. The world narrowed to just the two of them, the weight of everything hanging between them. Viktor looked like an ethereal being. His long hair, damp and tumbling over his shoulders, his warm amber eyes bright and unclouded…his lips were such a perfect shape.

Without thinking, Jayce crossed the room, took the mug gently from Viktor’s hands, and placed it on the coffee table. Viktor blinked, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he didn’t pull away.

Jayce’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper. “If you don’t want me this way, tell me now. I’ll stop, and I’ll never try again.”

For a heartbeat, Viktor didn’t move, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, his shoulders eased, his body relaxing in a way that spoke volumes. He didn’t say a word, but the soft surrender in his body was all the answer Jayce needed. A rush of emotion surged through Jayce as he cupped the back of Viktor’s head, fingers tangling in long, damp hair. He pressed their foreheads together for a moment, savoring the feeling, before capturing Viktor’s lips in a hard, desperate kiss.

Their mouths slotted together like puzzle pieces. Jayce’s lips moved against Viktor’s with a single-minded hunger that had been lying dormant for years. Jayce couldn’t bear it. He couldn’t help but deepen the kiss, his tongue sliding into Viktor’s mouth, and Viktor responded without hesitation, matching his urgency. His mouth tasted like sweet coffee, and it was heaven.

Jayce guided them both down, maneuvering Viktor onto his back as he braced himself over him. Viktor’s arms wrapped around Jayce’s neck, pulling him closer, and his legs shifted, opening to accommodate the weight pressing against him.

Their bodies aligned perfectly, heat building between them as they lost themselves in each other, the past and present dissolving. Memories flooded their minds, but the one that Jayce chased was of the explosion. They had held each other till the end, and right before they became nothing, it had been Viktor’s lips that had met his in the moment of climax. Jayce hadn’t remembered. This wasn’t their first kiss, and the first one had been Viktor’s doing.

Viktor gasped beneath him, and Jayce swallowed it, letting his body fall onto the smaller man, feeling Viktor’s thighs tighten around his hips and his fingers digging into the muscles of his upper back and shoulders. Jayce couldn’t help the whimpers escaping his throat. The kiss quickly became a frantic mess. There was no art to it, no finesse as he buried his tongue into Viktor's open, willing mouth and began to undulate his hips, thrusting his growing erection into the crease of Viktor’s thigh. He could feel Viktor’s cock against his lower abdomen and pelvis.

Jayce broke the kiss, pressing his forehead back to Viktor’s and groaning. Looking into his partner’s face, the other man was just as blissed out as he was. He was just quieter about it. Jayce began to kiss down his face, kissing each of his beauty marks, then working his way down Viktor’s jaw to his neck, biting into the sensitive flesh there, and that finally got Viktor to moan aloud, his hips thrusting up involuntarily.

“Jayce!” Viktor dug his long, thin fingers into Jayce’s hair and maneuvered his head back to kiss him on the mouth.

Viktor then started to move his hips, making his intention to flip them around known. Jayce shifted without thinking, smoothly rolling until Viktor was on top. Their bodies aligned, hips grinding together in a frantic rhythm. Jayce’s hands slipped beneath Viktor’s shirt, fingers trailing over the prominent ridges of his spine, lingering where it curved slightly at the base. Their mouths pressed together so hard that Viktor’s nose dug into Jayce’s cheek, but neither seemed to care.

Jayce gasped as Viktor pulled back, a wicked glint in his eyes. “What’s the matter, Jayce? Out of breath already?” His voice was teasing, low, and rough in a way that made Jayce’s heart stutter.

Jayce chuckled, catching his breath. “You’re relentless.” He grinned up at Viktor. “Not that I’m complaining.”

Viktor smirked. “Good.” He shifted his weight, sitting back to straddle Jayce’s lap. Jayce’s breath hitched. Viktor’s legs framed him perfectly, and the sight before him was nothing short of breathtaking.

Viktor tugged his shirt off in one fluid motion, tossing it aside. Jayce’s eyes roamed hungrily, taking in every detail. Viktor’s body was ethereal—a delicate balance of sharp angles and soft curves. His ribs and hip bones jutted out slightly, but it was a healthy leanness, his skin glowing with a faint warmth. There were constellations of beauty marks scattered around, and Jayce wanted to learn every single one. A soft lower belly pooch on his otherwise slender frame only added to his beauty. His chest was defined, flat tan nipples standing out against smooth skin.

Jayce couldn’t keep his hands still. They moved restlessly, gliding over Viktor’s hips and chest, tracing the faint dusting of hair that tapered into a trail leading from his innie belly button and disappearing beneath the waistband of his pants. The pleasure trail sent a surge of heat through Jayce’s veins, and he let out a low, appreciative groan.

“God, Viktor…” Jayce murmured, voice thick with awe. His hands traveled up to Viktor’s collarbones, which were beautifully pronounced as if carved by an artist’s hand. He lifted himself with his core so he could press his lips to the delicate ridge of bone. Viktor shivered under the touch, a soft sigh escaping him.

“I don’t know how I kept my hands off you,” Jayce whispered reverently, hands roaming once again over Viktor’s chest and sides as if mapping every inch of him. “You’re so beautiful. You’re perfect. Perfect.”

Viktor’s expression softened—a rare vulnerability in his golden eyes. He cupped Jayce’s face gently, thumb brushing over his cheek. “You have such a way with words. When did that happen,” he teased, though his voice was fond.

Jayce chuckled, pulling Viktor down into a slow, deep kiss. “Only when it comes to you.”

Jayce pulled back from the kiss, his hands still exploring Viktor’s body. His breathing was uneven, but his smile was soft, filled with warmth and admiration. Viktor tilted his head, an eyebrow raised, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Why don’t you take your clothes off,” Viktor murmured, his voice was a sultry challenge, “and we can see who’s perfect.”

Jayce’s grin widened, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth, eyes darkening with anticipation. Viktor lifted himself off Jayce’s lap, graceful despite the slight wince as he rose. Jayce immediately noticed but kept quiet, knowing better than to push when Viktor was clearly in control. Viktor stood tall, golden eyes flickering down to where Jayce remained seated.

Jayce didn’t need to be told twice. He scrambled to shed his clothes, hands tugging at his shirt and pushing down his soft pants with a clumsy sort of urgency. Viktor watched—amused—arms hanging loose at his sides, the soft light catching on the faint sheen of sweat on his skin.

Jayce’s body, once fully revealed, was as impressive as Viktor remembered. Broad shoulders, thick arms, and a chest sculpted from years of hard work. Every muscle seemed to ripple as he moved, and the sight alone had Viktor’s thoughts spiraling. He wondered if Jayce did hammerwork in this world. Whatever coherent words he might have had slipped away, leaving only a heated desire that coursed through him, and what little blood Viktor still had in his brain went directly into his cock.

Jayce caught the look in Viktor’s eyes and grinned, extending a hand toward him. “Come back,” he coaxed softly.

Viktor’s lips quirked into a smirk. He didn’t move toward Jayce, though. Instead, he backed away, step by step, teasingly slow.

Jayce’s brow furrowed in confusion, sitting up straighter. “Where are you going?”

Viktor turned, casting a glance over his shoulder as he made his way toward the bedroom. His hips swayed, and his movements, though slightly off-balance without his cane, remained elegant. Reaching the doorway, he paused just long enough to hook his thumbs into the waistband of his sweatpants. The fabric slipped down his legs and pooled around his feet, leaving him entirely bare.

Viktor glanced back, “What are you waiting for?” His voice was a breathy taunt, the words hanging in the air like a spark ready to ignite.

Jayce’s breath hitched, and for a moment, he forgot how to move. Then, as if spurred by instinct alone, he shot off the couch, stumbling slightly in his haste. His bare feet thudded against the floor as he chased after Viktor, nearly tripping over his discarded clothes in the process.

By the time he reached the bedroom, Viktor was already on the bed, propped against the pillows with a languid sort of grace. Jayce stopped in the doorway, chest heaving, eyes devouring the sight before him. Viktor’s legs were just open enough to be inviting, and his hard cock was resting on his somewhat concaved stomach. The skin between his legs was slightly darker than the rest, and it made Jayce’s mouth water.

“You’re going to kill me,” Jayce muttered, voice thick with want. His gaze never left Viktor, who shifted his hips just enough to draw a groan from Jayce’s lips.

Viktor’s lips curved into a slow, teasing smile. “What would you do to have me, then?”

Jayce blinked, the question sinking in. It took a beat for his brain to catch up to the fire burning in his veins. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, eyes darkening even further. “Anything.”

Viktor arched a brow, his expression equal parts intrigued and challenging. “Anything?”

“Anything,” Jayce repeated, voice low, gravelly, and certain.

A pause, the room thick with tension, before Viktor’s soft accented command came. “Crawl to me.”

Jayce didn’t hesitate. He dropped to his knees, the impact muted by the plush carpet. His palms pressed into the floor as he began to move, knee-walking toward the bed, eyes locked on Viktor with a determination that was almost frightening. Viktor’s breath hitched, his eyes widening as he watched Jayce close the distance. Pupils dilating, his cock jerking with a dribble of precum dripping from the tip onto his stomach.

There was something primal about the way Jayce moved—intentional, powerful, his muscles shifting fluidly beneath his tan skin. The rolling of his shoulders and his arms rippled with every movement forward, every motion exuding strength. He looked like a predator stalking its prey, a large cat with eyes locked on to its meal.

Viktor’s chest rose and fell rapidly, each breath heavier than the last. He ignored the pain it caused, too focused on the events at hand. His pulse pounded in his ears, and the intensity of Jayce’s gaze left him feeling exposed, vulnerable, and utterly captivated. He couldn’t look away.

Jayce reached the edge of the bed and paused, his hands gripping the sheets as he hauled himself up with predatory grace. His movements were slow as he crawled toward Viktor. His eyes never wavered, burning with a ferocity that left Viktor breathless.

Viktor gasped, his back arching slightly against the pillows. Overwhelmed by the way Jayce prowled closer, muscles coiled tight with need. He looked feral, hungry, and utterly unstoppable.

And Viktor wanted nothing more than to be consumed. He wanted to be eaten whole.

Jayce began at his feet, pressing gentle kisses to his toes, then to the arches and ankles. His lips were soft but firm, lingering just long enough to send shivers up Viktor’s spine. He moved with precision, pivoting his head back and forth as if determined not to miss a single inch of skin. There was a reverence to his touch, a devotion that made Viktor squirm.

Jayce worked his way up Viktor’s legs, kissing a slow, calculated path along his calves. His tongue flicked out occasionally, tasting the skin as though it were sacred. His hands followed, squeezing and kneading Viktor’s muscles with a mixture of tenderness and hunger. When he reached Viktor’s thighs, Jayce paused, his eyes flicking up to meet his again. The unspoken question hung between them for a moment, but Viktor didn’t need to answer with words. He shifted, spreading his legs wider in silent invitation.

Jayce groaned low in his throat, the sound vibrating against Viktor’s skin. He leaned in, kissing along the sensitive flesh of Viktor’s inner thighs. His mouth was hot, wet, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake. He didn’t shy away from the slight asymmetry, the subtle signs of muscle dystrophy in Viktor’s right leg. If anything, Jayce’s touch grew more reverent, more tender, as though cherishing every part of him.

His fingers dug into Viktor’s thighs, squeezing the flesh like it was something precious. His lips followed, alternating between soft kisses and sharp bites that made Viktor gasp. When Jayce’s teeth scraped against a particularly sensitive spot, Viktor’s hips jerked involuntarily, a broken moan escaping his lips.

“Perfect,” Jayce murmured against his skin, his voice husky and devout. He bit down again, gently, soothing the mark with his tongue. His hands roamed restlessly, caressing Viktor’s thighs, hips, anywhere he could reach.

Viktor’s breath hitched, his hands gripping the sheets as Jayce continued his worship. Every touch, every kiss, felt like fire, like salvation.

Viktor was ready to burn. He let his legs fall open completely to fully accept Jayce’s form between them, and Jayce wasted no time burying his face into Viktor’s groin, growling as he took a deep breath, nose pressed into his pubic hair.

Viktor couldn’t handle the pressure any longer, “Put me in your mouth,” he gasped softly, “Suck me.”

Jayce didn’t hesitate. He took Viktor’s cock into his mouth and consumed him like a starving man. Viktor dug his fingers into Jayce’s hair. His eyes trained on Jayce as he sucked him. The larger man’s body moved almost involuntarily, rutting his own neglected cock into the bedding. Jayce was treating his cock with veneration, alternating between bobbing his mouth up and down and trying to see how far he could take Viktor’s cock down his throat to dipping below and rolling Viktor’s sack in his mouth. It was pure bliss. Jayce focused on the tip, pressing his tongue into the slit, making Viktor arch back and gasp softly. Jayce wanted to hear Viktor scream by the end of this.

Jayce went back to bobbing, slowly trying to open his throat to take everything in, and Viktor could feel the pressure building behind his sack, his toes curling. He knew if he didn’t stop this now, he would finish, and they would not be able to continue.

 “Stop. Stop, or we will be done,” Viktor gasped out, his body tense and curling on himself. The only thing preventing him was Jayce’s broad shoulders.

Jayce reluctantly let Viktor’s swollen red cock fall from his mouth. Jayce kissed his way up Viktor’s body, savoring every shiver he elicited. Every gasp. His mouth moved higher, hot and insistent, mapping the expanse of Viktor’s hips and the soft skin just below his navel. Each press of his lips, each scratch of teeth, seemed to worship rather than merely touch, the heat between them building with each second.

He paused at Viktor’s stomach, nuzzling into the slight curve before trailing open-mouthed kisses up the length of it. His tongue flicked out occasionally, tasting skin and sweat. Jayce’s hands followed, palms flat against Viktor’s sides, feeling every subtle rise and fall of breath.

When he reached Viktor’s chest, he took his time, pausing to kiss along each rib, up to the delicate collarbones that stood out against his skin. He lavished attention there, dragging his lips across the sharp lines, sucking gently on the tender spots where bone met muscle.

Viktor let out a soft, breathy moan, arching into Jayce’s touch. The sound spurred Jayce on, his kisses becoming more fervent, more demanding. His mouth moved up to Viktor’s throat, pressing against the pulse point, feeling the rapid beat beneath his lips.

Then, as if drawn by an irresistible force, their mouths collided again. This kiss was different—urgent, hungry, teeth clashing and tongues tangling as they fought to be closer, to feel more. Jayce wanted to crawl into Viktor’s skin. He wanted to live inside his chest cavity and lay his head on his beating heart. Viktor’s fingers tangled in Jayce’s hair, pulling him in deeper, and Jayce groaned into the kiss, pressing their bodies flush together.

It was heat and desperation, a tangle of limbs and desire, both lost in the need to consume each other completely.

“You want to fuck me, yes? You want to be inside me,” Viktor panted between kisses.

“Yes,” Jayce growled, the sound reverberating through Viktor where their chests were pressed together.

“We need oil,” Viktor murmured, snapping Jayce out of his daze. For a moment, Jayce blinked, the fog of desire lifting just enough for practicality to take over. His eyes flicked around the room, searching for something useful.

The nightstands.

They both moved at once, Jayce leaning to his right while Viktor reached toward the opposite. Jayce yanked open the top drawer, rifling through the contents with growing impatience. His hand closed around a tube labeled “Lubricant,” the slick packaging catching the dim light. He paused, eyes scanning over the rest of the contents: a cluster of small foil packages stacked neatly in the corner, each one marked with bold letters that read “Condom XL.”

Jayce barely spared them a glance, the unfamiliar term not registering as important. To him, they were just strange little packets. Instead, his attention shifted to the other items in the drawer—various bottles and tubes, each promising different textures and sensations. Phallic-shaped devices, little rings made out of some kind of rubber material, groupings of different-sized balls strung together. Jayce didn’t know what most of it was. Feeling a hint of indecision, he just went with the first lubricant that he already had in hand.

Viktor, meanwhile, had come up empty-handed, closing his drawer with a soft thud and turning back toward Jayce. Without a word, he returned to the center of the bed. There was a slight wince as he shifted his position. He sank onto his stomach, stretching out languidly before arching his back in a subtle, deliberate motion that made Jayce’s breath hitch. The shift in position lifted his hips just enough, offering himself in a way that was both vulnerable and utterly commanding.

Jayce swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his ears. His gaze traced the elegant curve of Viktor’s spine, the way his shoulders relaxed as he settled into place. For a second, Jayce just watched, rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of him.

Snapping out of it, he reached for a pillow, sliding it beneath Viktor’s hips to angle him more comfortably. Viktor made a soft sound of approval, his body adjusting easily to the support, and Jayce felt a rush of warmth flood his chest.

This moment, this trust—it was everything. Jayce flipped the cap open and poured a generous amount into his palm, and began to oil his cock. His eyes remained locked on Viktor’s pale ass, the way it curved softly, fitting his lean frame perfectly. Viktor didn’t have the most full backside, but it was undeniably alluring—graceful and proportionate, just like every other part of him. The delicate beauty marks scattered across his skin only added to the allure. One rested on his left shoulder blade, two traced a line down his spine, and a single mark sat teasingly on his right cheek, like a conscious, perfect stroke of a painter’s brush. Even the slight curve in Viktor’s lower back, a subtle imperfection, only made him more captivating.

Jayce’s fingers twitched, itching to touch, to worship every inch.

Viktor shifted slightly, turning his head to glance over his shoulder, his gaze steady and smoldering. The golden light from the window caught in his eyes, making them shimmer like molten gold. He was, without question, the most beautiful being Jayce had ever seen—across this world, any world, any universe.

“Have you done this before, Jayce?” Viktor’s voice was soft—playful, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity and challenge.

Jayce blinked, caught off guard. “Done what? Had sex? Yeah,” he said, flashing a grin. “Actually, I’m pretty good at it.”

Viktor huffed, rolling his eyes in that fond, familiar way that made Jayce’s chest ache. “With a man?” he clarified, one brow arching slightly.

Jayce paused, the question sinking in. The hand wrapped around his cock, slowing his lubricating strokes, “Does it matter?”

Viktor shifted a little, spreading his legs slightly and exposing his pretty tan pucker to Jayce, his attractive cock and sack also hanging down, pressed back by the pillow under his hips.

“The oil is for me, Jayce. You must make me ready for you, hmm? It has…well, I do not know how long it has been for this body, but for me, it has been a long time.”

Jayce tried not to feel good about that. He knew that Viktor rarely, if ever, indulged in social engagements—let alone sexual partners. But it felt good to know it had been a while for him. Jayce chuckled softly, a little sheepishly, as he rubbed the back of his neck. The tension in the air made his heart thud heavily in his chest, but there was no hesitation as he moved forward, scooting between Viktor’s parted legs. He let out a slow breath and placed his hands gently on the backs of Viktor’s thighs. His thumbs pressed into the firm muscle, kneading with care, savoring the soft warmth of Viktor’s skin beneath his fingertips.

Jayce let his eyes wander, drinking in every detail of the view in front of him. The way Viktor’s legs rested slightly apart, inviting, vulnerable. The subtle shift of muscle under pale skin as Viktor relaxed into his touch.

He dragged his hands slowly upward, savoring every inch, fingers tracing along Viktor’s thighs with awe.

“God,” he whispered under his breath, voice thick with awe. “You’re breathtaking, Viktor.”

 Jayce then moved his hands up to Viktor’s inviting ass and squeezed the muscle. His fingers dug into the flesh and pulled the cheeks apart even more, causing Viktor to gasp and expose his hole completely. It was the same tannish color as his nipples and groin.  He pressed his thumbs on either side of the pretty little hole, and as he squeezed, he could see the soft pink of Viktor’s insides.

It was too much, too tempting, and Jayce let his desires win out. He dived in, burying his face into Viktor’s backside, and began tonguing at his clean, beautiful hole.

“Oh, Jayce,” Viktor sighed above him, pressing his hips back a little to give Jayce more access which only made the man more ravenous.

Jayce tried to bury his tongue as deep into Viktor’s hole as possible, which had the slighter man finally making noise and squirming on the sheets. His poor cock, still reddened from Jayce’s sucking, was bereft of friction from its position pressed back due to the pillow, and Viktor was desperately trying to thrust.

Jayce pulled back to take in his handy work. Viktor was panting, looking at him over his shoulder. His face flushed, and his body was glistening with damp sweat. His hole was pink now from his attentions and his beard rubbing on the sensitive skin.

Jayce sat back on his heels and grabbed the discarded bottle of lube again. He poured a generous amount on his fingers and also directly onto Viktor’s hole, causing the other man to gasp sharply at the cool liquid.

“Ah, Sorry,” Jayce leaned down and pressed a kiss to the little beauty mark on Viktor’s ass cheek.

“Mmmm, let’s get on with it, yes?” Viktor shifted his knees a little higher.

“Demanding.” Jayce kissed his spine and moved his lubed fingers to Viktor’s welcoming hole. First massaging it gently before pressing his index finger in slowly.

Jayce wanted to be gentle, but the sounds Viktor was making were making it difficult. He pressed the finger in all the way before he started pushing it in and out. He took his time until Viktor was demanding he continue.

“I will not break, Jayce.” Viktor’s accent had become thick, rolling and slurring his words together but Jayce understood enough, slipping a second finger in beside the first.

“Deeper, a little,” Viktor directed him, and Jayce couldn’t deny how hot it was to be told what to do. He sunk his teeth into the flesh of Viktor’s ass, “Ugh, yes, yes, now curl them inward—Ah!”

Viktor’s body jerked as if electrocuted, his hole clenching hard on Jayce’s fingers, and he released a real moan. A groan from deep in his chest, his long, slender toes curling in the bedding. Oh? What was that? Jayce grinned.

Jayce pressed into the spot, a little bump on the inside, relentlessly, and Viktor spasmed, whimpering and whining and squirming as if trying to escape but pressing his ass harder back on Jayce’s fingers. It made Jayce so hungry he couldn’t help but try and bury his tongue into that perfect hole alongside his fingers, which just made Viktor whimper and gasp more.

“I could eat you alive,” Jayce growled into Viktor’s flesh, pulling back slightly to press a third finger in and watching as Viktor’s hole sucked them up.

He thrust his fingers in with abandon, pounding into that spot with relentless precision, leaving his partner panting and incoherent. The more he rubbed at that spot, the more precum leaked from Viktor’s abandoned cock.

Then Viktor was pushing at him with his hands and shifted, “Enough, Jayce.”

Viktor moved fluidly, nudging Jayce’s hands away. His golden eyes gleamed as he adjusted onto his back, leaving the pillow strategically under the small of his back to support his spine. He reached out, fingers curling gently around Jayce’s wrist, guiding him closer.

“Come to me, my love,” Viktor murmured, voice low and tender.

Jayce couldn’t resist. He collapsed onto Viktor, their bodies aligning perfectly as he pressed himself into the warmth of Viktor’s embrace. Their mouths found each other again, a deep, slow kiss that felt like falling into something infinite. They were back to formless forms in the void, floating forever together, never to be separated again. Only them and the endless expanse of stars. Jayce was lost in the taste, in the soft sighs Viktor made, in the way Viktor’s fingers threaded through his hair.

Viktor’s hand slipped down between them, a steady guide that left no hesitation. He placed Jayce exactly where he needed him, and Jayce gasped as he felt the first resistance. The heat, the intimacy of it, was overwhelming. Slowly, he pressed forward, easing into Viktor with a tenderness that felt almost sacred.

The sensation was too much—too raw, too real. As Jayce sank fully into him, he buried his face in the crook of Viktor’s neck. The tears came unbidden, hot, and silent, soaking into Viktor’s skin as he clung to him.

“Oh, Jayce,” Viktor whispered, his voice soft, full of understanding. He wrapped his arms around Jayce’s shoulders, holding him tight, offering comfort and grounding in equal measure. His touch was everything—home, love, and acceptance.

Jayce pulled his hips back and then sunk back in with a groan and a gasp. Viktor was so tight and hot and everything all at once.  He mouthed at the other man’s neck and face, pressed completely against him, his weight bearing down on the other man as he humped into him. Viktor’s nails dug into the skin of his back and shoulders, dragging up and down, leaving lines of fire in their wake.

“Ugh, Jayce, look at me,” Viktor’s accent was becoming thicker, every word that tumbled out of his sweet mouth slurring and sounding like poetry.

Jayce lifted his head out of Viktor’s neck and pressed their foreheads together, staring straight into each other’s eyes. Viktor raised one of his hands to Jayce’s cheek, wiping his thumb under his eye. Then Viktor brought the thumb to his own mouth, and Jayce watched transfixed as Viktor sucked his tears off the digit.

Jayce whimpered, shifting his hips and body to get more leverage, and began thrusting with earnest. Viktor’s eyes widened, and he gasped, throwing his head back and digging his nails back into Jayce’s shoulders.

The noises coming up out of Jayce’s throat were nothing less than desperate. He was whimpering like a dying animal, but it was all too much. The pressure was building fast. He dug his knees and toes into the mattress to put more power into his hips. Every thrust was pushing them farther up the bed until they reached the headboard.

Viktor threw one arm back, pressing his forearm against the headboard to prevent them from moving farther up. Jayce buried his head back into Viktor’s throat, kissing and sucking and biting and making the other man moan.

“I love you,” the declaration was punched out of Jayce before he could stop it, and it just kept coming, “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

Viktor’s legs wrapped around the backs of his thighs as their bodies climbed up the headboard despite Viktor’s attempts to stop it, causing the man to drop his arm in defeat, contorting in an awkward angle that Jayce was wholly unaware of.

Then Viktor grabbed two full handfuls of Jayce's ass, digging his nails in, and that was it—Jayce lost it completely. His thrusts lost all semblance of control, battering into the other man like a wild animal. Jayce pulled back, propping himself up on his arms, hands sinking into the pillows below so he could watch as Viktor arched in ecstasy.

“Ano, ano, ano, ano, Jayce. Děláš pro mě tak moc dobře. Zde, zde, zde,” Viktor’s words were unrecognizable, “Jsi pro mě úžasný! Ano, ano!”

One of Viktor's hands retreated from their grip on Jayce and went to his swollen cock, tugging on it so fast his hand seemed to blur. Then the man under him cried out, almost screamed, his jaw-dropping open and his eyes rolling back into his skull as his cock spurt all over his chest and stomach. One powerful jerk hit his neck and under his chin, but Jayce didn’t stop. He dropped himself back down and licked Viktor’s cum, mouthing at his lover’s neck and jaw while he whimpered, and then Jayce was at his end.

The pressure broke, and Jayce buried himself as deep as he could into Viktor’s hole as he finished. Cumming, and trying to crawl inside of Viktor's body. Curling around him and wrapping him completely in his arms as he rode out the twitching and jerking from the aftershocks.

Everything stilled for a moment, the room heavy with the scent of exertion and satisfaction. Their bodies were contorted in a slightly awkward hunched ball, tangled but not uncomfortable. Jayce didn’t care—he could stay like this forever, pressed against Viktor’s warmth, feeling every rise and fall of his chest. Viktor’s breaths were shallow, matching Jayce’s own, the sound of them mingling in the quiet room.

“Jayce… my back, I—” Viktor’s voice was soft but strained, breaking through the haze.

Jayce snapped out of his blissful daze, pulling back immediately, careful and gentle as he shifted. He slipped out of Viktor and eased him back into their original position, with Viktor laying on his back head in the pillows and adjusting the pillow to cradle his lower back. “Sorry,” Jayce murmured, concern etched into his features.

Viktor’s gaze softened as he opened his arms in silent invitation. Without hesitation, Jayce lowered himself onto Viktor’s chest, moving slowly, cautiously. When he felt Viktor’s arms curl around him, pulling him close, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Jayce collapsed fully, resting his head over Viktor’s heart, the rhythmic thrum beneath his ear calming and steady. Viktor’s fingers found his hair, threading through the damp strands in a slow, soothing motion.

Jayce melted into the touch, his body going slack. A deep, contented sigh escaped him as he rubbed his cheek against Viktor’s chest, feeling the rough patch of hair beneath his face. It scratched in a way that was oddly comforting. He smelled so good. He pressed in closer, nuzzling like a contented cat, chasing every bit of warmth and comfort Viktor offered. He was practically purring.

“You’re ridiculous,” Viktor murmured, amusement coloring his voice. But the fondness was unmistakable, his fingers never pausing in their gentle ministrations.

Jayce hummed, barely coherent. “Ridiculous for you.”

Jayce had never felt more at ease, sprawled lazily across Viktor’s chest, their bodies entangled in the warmth of the afterglow. Jayce felt utterly at peace.

“I have no idea how we weren’t doing that the whole time,” Jayce mumbled. “Seriously, V. We could’ve been doing that all along.”

Viktor chuckled softly, his voice a low rumble. “Eh, because we were busy. Ambitions. Inventions. Life-threatening situations. Trying to take over the world. Those sorts of things.”

Jayce groaned dramatically. “Excuses. Terrible excuses. Priorities, Viktor. We clearly lacked them.”

Viktor smirked, fingers still threading through Jayce’s hair, nails scratching at his scalp. “I suppose hindsight is clarity.”

Jayce lifted his head, resting his chin on Viktor’s chest and gazing up at him with a grin that was all mischief and adoration. “It’s hard not to dwell on it when that was easily the best sex of my entire life.”

Viktor arched a brow, a playful glint in his eyes. “You flatter me.”

“I’m not,” Jayce said, voice soft but insistent. He pushed himself up onto his elbows, leaning over Viktor, taking in every detail—the flushed cheeks, the slight sheen of sweat, the way Viktor’s hair fanned out messily on the pillows. His gaze lingered on the faint marks he’d left along Viktor’s neck, a possessive satisfaction blooming in his chest. “I mean it, V. That wasn’t just sex. It felt like… coming home. Like everything I’ve ever done, every success I’ve ever had, is nothing compared to being with you.”

Viktor’s eyes widened, his expression caught somewhere between awe and discomfort. He tried to look away, but Jayce wasn’t having it. He gently cupped Viktor’s jaw, guiding him back so their eyes met.

“Jayce…” Viktor’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“I’m in love with you,” Jayce said simply, the words falling between them like a prayer, a truth he’d carried for far too long. He let his head fall back so their foreheads rested together. “Probably have been this whole time.”

Viktor’s lips parted, a flicker of emotion crossing his face before he pressed them into a thin line. He let out a breath, leaning up to brush a soft kiss against Jayce’s lips. “Enough,” he murmured, voice thick with meaning. “It is enough, Jayce.”

Jayce’s heart swelled, and he melted into the kiss, deepening it as their bodies instinctively moved closer, the moment threatening to spiral into another round. Viktor’s hands slipped to Jayce’s waist, pulling him down hard back between his spread thighs, and Jayce groaned into his mouth, ready to lose himself all over again.

And then—

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The loud, insistent knocking echoed through the apartment, shattering their perfect bubble. Jayce froze, forehead resting against Viktor’s as they both stared at each other in disbelief.

Then came the mechanical clicking of a key entering a lock, and the front door whooshed open, followed by the unmistakable sound of boots on hardwood and a familiar voice.

“Jayce! Are you home?”

Jayce’s eyes widened, recognition dawning. “Caitlyn?”

He groaned, burying his face in Viktor’s neck. “This is the worst timing.”

Viktor snorted, patting Jayce’s back with mock sympathy. “It seems our reprieve is over.”

Jayce pulled back with a resigned sigh, shooting Viktor a rueful smile. “Stay here. I’ll handle it.”

Viktor smirked. “Mmm, I plan to.”

Jayce rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the grin tugging at his lips as he stumbled to the closet for more clothes, realizing that his were back in the living room.

Chapter Text

“Love is not a victory march, it’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah.”

  — Leonard Cohen

-------------

“Jayce! I know you’re home! We saw your car when we came in!”

“Cool it, Cupcake,” Vi’s familiar drawl followed, clearly amused. “I’m sure he heard you… Looks like he might’ve been a little… busy.”

“What?” Caitlyn sounded confused, but Vi’s laughter suggested she’d already pieced things together.

Jayce hastily pulled on another pair of identical grey sweatpants and stumbled out of the room, not bothering to put on a shirt. He nearly tripped over Viktor’s discarded sweatpants on the floor again, kicking them behind him into the room before shutting the door.

In the living room, Caitlyn stood frozen, wide-eyed with something between shock and horror. Vi, meanwhile, had picked up Jayce’s abandoned shirt, smirking as she tossed it his way.

“Oh my God!” Caitlyn yelped, spinning around with her hands over her face.

“Sprout—uh, Vi,” Jayce mumbled, catching the shirt mid-air, tugging it on quickly. “Uh… What’s going on?”

Vi snorted, arms folded casually across her chest. “You don’t answer your phone, pretty boy?”

Jayce blinked, scrambling for an excuse. “I’ve… uh… been occupied.”

Jayce wasn’t entirely sure what a phone was, but he remembered Sky ‘calling’ him while he was in the car. Maybe this was something similar. He’d have to find the device. It could be important.

“Yeah, we can see that,” Vi quipped, her grin widening.

Caitlyn finally turned back around, cheeks flushed. “Mother called me an hour ago,” she huffed, clearly frustrated. “She said you got sick during a meeting. I was trying to check on you.” She stomped her foot slightly and crossed her arms. “Is Viktor here? It’s too early for school to be out.”

Jayce rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. “Yeah, he’s here. He, uh… had a little accident, so I had to go get him.”

“Accident?” Caitlyn’s concern flared instantly. “What happened? Are you okay?”

Jayce hesitated, his brain scrambling to concoct a believable story. “I wasn’t feeling well, and… Sky called from the school. Viktor passed out. I had to go get him, so we just came home.” He offered a half-hearted shrug. “Sorry about the phone?”

“Whoa, Viktor passed out?” Vi’s humor vanished, replaced with concern. “Did you take him to the hospital?”

Jayce opened his mouth, fumbling for an answer that didn’t make him sound negligent. Before he could dig himself deeper, Viktor’s voice cut in.

“No.”

They all turned as Viktor entered the room, leaning on his cane. He wore another strange shirt, this one with a Nirvana along the top and a naked baby swimming underwater. Jayce wasn’t sure if he ever saw Viktor outside of an academy uniform or suit before the Hexcore. He wondered if he would ever get used to seeing him in this casual state.

“I do not need a hospital,” Viktor continued smoothly. “I am fine. Jayce is fine. It was just… a strange afternoon.”

“Strange afternoon, huh?” Vi arched a brow, “You both just happen to get sick at the same time? On the same day? Total coincidence?”

“Apparently,” Viktor deadpanned, making Vi snort.

Jayce relaxed slightly, grateful for Viktor’s effortless deflection. Caitlyn, however, wasn’t fully convinced. She approached Jayce, her brows knit with worry.

“You sure you’re both okay?” she asked softly, her gaze searching his.

Jayce felt a lump rise in his throat. Seeing Caitlyn was something he never thought he would do again. She was always like a little sister to him, and the thought of never seeing her again during the battle had been hard. He hadn’t known exactly what would happen during the confrontation with Viktor but there had been the large chance that he would die, and he did. There was also the chance that she would die. He didn’t know if the other Caitlyn from his world was alive or dead but here, now, she was standing in front of him breathing and whole. And Vi, too. Happy. Alive. Together.

No wars with Noxus. No terrorist attack killing her mother. No suffering. No pain.

“Yeah, Sprout,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “We’re fine.”

Vi smirked. “More than fine, I’d say. Taking the day off to come home and screw your husband. Real classy, Jayce.”

Cait groaned. “Vi…”

Viktor quirked a brow, his lips twitching. “It was productive.”

Vi barked a laugh, but Caitlyn rolled her eyes, clearly done with the teasing. “Okay, enough,” she said, waving them off. “I’m just glad you’re both okay. I also wanted to confirm about Friday.”

“Friday?” Jayce frowned, momentarily lost.

“Yes, Friday!” Caitlyn exhaled, exasperated but fond. “You said we could host a little get-together here. Our apartment is…” She trailed off, looking to Vi for help.

Vi grinned. “A piece of crap. It’s okay, Cupcake. You can say it.”

“That’s not what I was going to say!” Caitlyn protested.

Jayce chuckled, enjoying their banter. It felt good—normal. This world was so peaceful. His gaze drifted to Viktor, who had propped himself against the back of the couch, watching everything with mild amusement. Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else faded.

Caitlyn’s voice pulled him back. “Well? Is it still okay?”

Jayce blinked, shaking off the daze. “Yeah, of course. It’s fine.”

“How many people are we expecting at this… gathering?” Viktor asked, his tone skeptical.

“Just a few,” Caitlyn replied innocently. “Louris, Maddie, Steb, Mylo, Clagger, Ekko, Powder—” She paused. “I mean, Jinx.”

Jayce’s head snapped up. “Jinx?”

Caitlyn nodded, unconcerned. “Yeah. She’s going through this phase where she wants everyone to call her that. Mylo used to tease her about it, and now it’s her name.”

“It’s stupid,” Vi grumbled. “I’m not doing it.”

“I think we should respect her wishes,” Caitlyn said primly.

Vi snorted. “Sure, Cupcake. You do that.”

Jayce’s mind raced. The last he’d heard of Jinx, she was a menace. A terrorist. But that was… back there. Not here. It was going to be difficult to reconcile that the people here in this world weren’t the ones he left behind. Villains and loved ones alike. The only person he had from before was Viktor, leaning against the couch.

Vi grabbed Caitlyn by the arm, and pulled her toward the door.

“Well, now that we’ve got that covered, I think we can head out,” Vi announced with a grin.

“Wait, why would we leave? We just got here,” Caitlyn protested, trying to dig her heels in.

Vi kept pulling her along, barely breaking stride. “Because it’s pretty obvious we just did a coitus-interruptus. Let’s give them some space. Sorry for barging in, guys. Have a good day off!”

Caitlyn huffed and stopped struggling, though she threw a glance over her shoulder. “Oh, before I forget—don’t worry about the food! I’ll handle all of it! Food and cooking.”

Jayce raised an eyebrow, following the women as they made their way to the foyer, folding his arms. “You? Cooking? You sure about that, Sprout?”

Vi gave up on her dragging for a moment as she went down the short hall to get her boots back on. Jayce and Cait stayed standing at the threshold.

“I’ve been practicing,” Caitlyn said defensively, hands on her hips.

Vi snorted. “Practicing what? Setting off the smoke alarm?”

“I have not set anything on fire,” Caitlyn insisted, glaring at Vi, who is clearly enjoying herself.

“Recently,” Vi added, deadpan. Vi walked back up to them, her boots on and made sure not to cross over the door jam.

Caitlyn rolled her eyes and looked around Jayce to see Viktor, ignoring Vi entirely. “You should invite someone, too, Vik. Sky, maybe?”

Viktor tilted his head, but nodding.

Vi elbowed Jayce with a smirk. “Too bad you don’t have any friends to invite, huh, Pretty Boy.”

 “What, you don’t think I have friends?”

Vi crossed her arms, giving him a look. “Not counting us.” She jerked a thumb toward herself and Caitlyn. “Who do you hang out with besides me? Viktor and Cait don’t count. One’s your husband and the other is practically your sister. And I know you don’t hang out with Alex outside of work.”

Jayce opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out. The only name that flitted through his mind was Mel, but saying her name felt... complicated. He tried not to flinch when fragmented memories infiltrated his mind—him sleeping with Mel… somewhere unfamiliar, but it didn’t make sense, and he didn’t want to dwell on it.

He rubbed his eyes with his fingers, pinching the bridge of his nose briefly, trying to focus on something else. Alex. The name rang a bell, but it didn’t quite settle. He wasn’t sure who this Alex was, but asking would only draw more attention. He didn't want to raise any suspicions. “I’m not really sure,” he muttered, hoping his tone sounded casual.

Vi’s grin widened, “Thought so.” She laughed, clapping him on the back.

“Alright then, I guess we’ll head out,” Cait went down the hall to the door and slipped on her shoes quickly. Vi followed her.

Caitlyn waved one last time as they opened the door to leave. “See you Friday! And bring whoever you want!”

Jayce chuckled softly as the door closed behind them. It shouldn’t surprise him, seeing Caitlyn here, not after Sky and Mel. But hearing those names—Ekko, Jinx—hit differently.

Jinx. He never met her in his universe, but he knew her work. He could still see the bodies littering the bridge. He could still hear the explosion, and feel the council chamber shudder beneath his feet. The horror and confusion. Seeing Viktor’s unconscious, dead, body laying amongst the rubble.

And Ekko… They’d been pulled into the singularity together, but split apart. Jayce hadn’t seen him since. What if Ekko had landed here too? Or somewhere else entirely? He wondered if they’d cross paths again or if this Ekko was anything like the boy he had met for only a moment back in another world.

“Well, that was interesting,” Viktor said, straightening as he crossed the room. “Would you like me to make more coffee? I am afraid what I made earlier has gone cold.”

Jayce watched as Viktor moved to the coffee table, picking up the discarded mug. He was leaning heavily on his cane, more than usual. Guilt twisted in Jayce’s stomach. Was I too rough earlier?

“I, uh, I can do it,” Jayce offered, following Viktor into the kitchen area.

Viktor glanced over his shoulder, golden eyes warm and amused. “I offered. Do you want it or not?”

Jayce swallowed hard. Viktor looked so beautiful, framed by the soft kitchen light. His eyes, that beauty mark high on his cheekbone—it all knocked the breath out of him. He wondered how he could always feel this way and yet still have not known.

“Yeah,” Jayce murmured, stepping closer. “I’ll take a coffee.”

Viktor rinsed the mug and coffee press, starting a fresh batch. Jayce moved behind him, wrapping his arms around Viktor’s waist. His hands sliding up Viktor’s stomach under his loose shirt, fingers brushing the edge of his ribs. Jayce marveled at how small Viktor felt beneath his touch—how his hands nearly circled Viktor’s waist completely.

A flash of heat coursed through him, and for a wild second, he thought about scooping Viktor up and heading back to the bedroom.

Jayce pressed a kiss to the back of Viktor’s neck. “You’re so hot.”

“Jayce.” Viktor’s tone was amused, but there was an underlying warning.

Jayce sighed, pulling back. “Sorry.”

Viktor glanced at him, a sly smile curling his lips. “Why be sorry?” He turned back to the coffee, his movements calm and precise.

Jayce lingered, leaning against the counter. “Are you feeling okay?”

Viktor chuckled softly. “I am more than well, Jayce.” He shot a playful look at him, eyes gleaming. “You are not so powerful as to take me down so easily.”

Jayce blinked, caught off guard. The teasing confidence, the playfulness—it sent a thrill through him. Viktor was strong enough, resilient enough to take on anything. That Jayce didn’t have to worry about him. Jayce had missed this, the back and forth, the teasing confidence. It was like they went back in time to when everything was ideal. When it was just him and Viktor in the lab sniping at each other and doing the impossible. That now in this new strange world they could…joke about what happened. He knew that Viktor felt ashamed of what he did but Jayce was glad to see him face it head on instead of retreating in on himself.

Jayce leaned over, his hand on the small of Viktor’s back and pressed his lips to the other man’s shoulder. He trusted Viktor to tell him if something was wrong, if he needed to stop. And Viktor trusted him enough to be honest. Jayce shifted to lean against the counter keeping just enough distance to watch. Viktor’s hands moved deftly as he prepared the coffee, and Jayce felt all the stress from the day vanish. It was only the first day in this new universe and so much had changed already.

“We should probably figure out what we’re doing, thinking of a plan,” Jayce said after a beat. “Should we be trying to go back, or…” He trailed off, the unspoken question hung between them.

“Or if we intend to stay,” Viktor finished softly.

“Yeah…that.”

Viktor hummed softly but didn’t say anything else, and Jayce was content to just watch him move around. His elegant hands with their long, thin fingers. The way his hair fell into his face, catching the light. How devastatingly beautiful he was.

Time slipped by in comfortable silence, broken only by the quiet sounds of coffee being made. When Viktor finished, he carried their mugs to the living room. Jayce followed, settling onto the couch. He shifted, adjusting so he was facing Viktor directly. Viktor had tucked his legs beneath himself, resting comfortably against the cushions. Jayce kept one leg bent, leaning forward with his coffee cradled in his hands.

The warmth from the cup seeped into his palms. He watched Viktor sip slowly, the steam curling around his face. His long hair fell forward, framing his sharp features. His prominent nose, long eyelashes, and lovely carved lips. Those long, elegant fingers—each movement precise, thoughtful.

“I need to find that… phone thing Cait mentioned,” Jayce finally said, breaking the silence.

“Yes, I should have one as well,” Viktor replied, thoughtful. “It is a communication device. Sky used her ‘cell phone’ to call you? You answered her, did you not?”

Jayce huffed a soft laugh. “The car answered for me.”

Viktor’s brow lifted. “How peculiar.” He tilted his head, golden eyes flicking toward the windows as if lost in thought. “This world’s science seems quite different from ours.”

Jayce followed Viktor’s gaze. “What do you think we should be doing?” he asked quietly. “How can we… go back?”

“Go back where, I wonder?” Viktor’s gaze locked onto him. “To our old lives, if there are old lives to go back to at all or back to where we were before we came here?”

Jayce hesitated, rolling the question around in his mind. The void, the singularity—whatever it was—hadn’t been bad. Not exactly. It had felt vast, endless. Peaceful, even. But the memories were slipping, like trying to hold water in his hands—like trying to remember a dream as you’re waking up.

“Either,” he said, voice low.

Viktor sipped his coffee again, thoughtful. “Perhaps,” he murmured, “we need to understand what the science of this world consists of first. Then we can determine how we wish to proceed.”

Jayce considered that, nodding slowly. “Yeah. That makes sense.”

Viktor’s gaze lingered on him, quiet and contemplative. “Would you want to go back?”

Jayce opens his mouth to answer but closes it again. He didn’t have an answer, “We took these bodies….there was a…consciousness here before we got here. Isn’t it wrong of us to want to stay?”

Viktor looked pensive for a moment, “I imagine that this event was not random. If it was not—then there is a reason we are here. If it was just happenstance, an uncontrolled event, then I suppose it would be our moral obligation to find a way to go back to where we came from and return these lives to their rightful owners.”

“So if it’s not random, we should stay?”

Viktor swayed his head back and forth as if weighing the options in his head, a little contemplative frown pulling on the edges of his lips, “Eh, I did not say that. I am merely theorizing. That is all I can do at the moment.”

Jayce took a sip of his coffee, black with only one spoon of sugar, perfect, “The future you…the one in the other world…he brought me there for a reason. It was his doing. Your doing, in a way.”

“I am sorry.”

“No! No, that’s not,” Jayce paused, setting his coffee on the table and scooting closer to Viktor on the couch so he could pull the other man’s legs over his lap, running his hand up and down Viktor’s thigh. Viktor allowed the affection and prompted him to continue, “What I meant is, that if this wasn’t random it’s possible that…well, you brought us here. Future you, I mean.”

“Hmm, and why would he do that, do you think?” Viktor was looking out the window again, Jayce knew that look on his face, he was in that brilliant mind trying to figure out all the possibilities.

Jayce laughed, “I don’t know, why don’t you tell me? It’s your future self.”

“You are manufacturing weapons in this universe. Willingly, with or without Hextech.” That is when Viktor decided to look at him head on again and Jayce felt his heart break a little.

It felt like Viktor wasn’t talking about this world in that moment, like he was finally addressing what Jayce had done. That Jayce had created weapons with Hextech without consulting Viktor, then he had used them to kill a child….he would use them to kill Viktor. It was something that got lost in everything that was happening. Viktor never confronted him about it, too concerned with his own horror of the Hexcore and what it had done to their assistant.

“I thought it was the right thing to do at the time, V. Thought a direct hit to the source would stop the fighting…I realized how wrong I was, but at that point I had already done it—”

Viktor leaned over to place his mug on the table next to his while he was talking then touched Jayce’s face gently, running his fingertips over Jayce’s mouth stopping his apology before he really got it going, “I am not judging you, Jayce. How could I?” There was a wry little curl to his lip, “I am only stating a possible reason why a future …omniscient version of myself might think to send our souls to this world after our deaths. That is all.”

Jayce grabbed Viktor’s wrist and pressed his face into the other man’s slender palm, “I feel like I need to apologize, for a lot of things, V. I didn’t think we would ever have any time for it.”

“Was what you have already done not enough?” Viktor adjusted his position until he was practically sitting on Jayce’s lap, “I accept it, I accept it all and I wouldn’t change anything. I am sorry too, more than words can express and you have forgiven me, yes?”

Jayce pressed their heads together, “Yes.”

“Then it is enough. We will learn the science of this world, we will discover why we are here, and we will do what is right. That is enough. You were gone for, what was it, six months? We have time, Jayce. We needn’t rush. We can enjoy these bodies and this life alongside our discoveries, hmm? Is it not exciting?” Viktor’s face brightened, “We are proving the existence of multiple universes! We have transcended death itself…well, sort of.”

Viktor shrugged in a self-deprecating way, a little half smirk on his lips. That same mischievousness that proceeded some new experiment that could go horribly wrong. Jayce was stunned. It felt like that night all over again, standing at the precipice about to fall and Viktor’s voice calling out and bringing him back.

“I’m in love with you.”

Viktor chuckled, a wide grin spreading his mouth and contorting his face and Jayce wasn’t sure if he had ever seen him smile like that since the night they were floating in the blue magic of their working device, so wide and open and complete, “Yes, I know. You have said so quite a few times today. I suppose I owe you the same.”

“Yeah?”

Viktor patted his cheek, “What? You don’t know? Of course, I love you Jayce. I loved you from the moment the word ‘magic’ passed through your lips all those years ago.”

That was it. Jayce slipped his arms under Viktor’s legs and back and lifted him off the couch, Viktor let out a surprised squawk as Jayce maneuvered them effortlessly back to the bedroom.

“Jayce! I just made that coffee!”

“It can wait.”

-------------

Viktor sat propped against the headboard of the massive bed and let his eyes glide over the room. The wall of closets to his right, the wall of windows to the back. There was a small sitting area in the middle of the main window. It was a dark burgundy tufted loveseat with two small, tall tables on either side and a coffee table. There were plants everywhere. There were plants hanging from hooks of various lengths and sizes. Big potted ones on the ground on either side of the loveseat. One in the middle of the table that had vines spilling out down to the floor. What was left of the wall before the open door was covered again in book shelves stuffed to bursting with an assortment of items from more plants, to books and other various knickknacks. A telescope on a tripod by the window. He knew that was his contribution to this apartment. That and his own study. It looked like he might be the green thumb filling their balcony with plant life.

There were enough books in this apartment to supply an entire library. He didn’t know if he felt impressed or ashamed. In this life he and Jayce were obviously wealthy…or at minimum, Jayce was. Viktor wondered if they had ever been partners in this world or if they were always separate in that way. Viktor had never had money, and when Hextech got big he honestly didn’t know what to do with it, so he just funneled it into their work. But here in this life, he was spending it, they were spending it. At first this place had seemed absent of his touch but the more he looked at it…it was the perfect combination.

Even the bed. It was large and grandiose, the bed frame was wood and all sleek angles and no ornamentation, it fit to what Viktor imagined Jayce would choose, but it was also low enough to the ground that Viktor did not have to pull himself up or gingerly work himself down. The bathroom as well, there were two raised bars on either side of the bathtub, and the shower had various bars bolted into the walls that Viktor could only imagine were to help him. Jayce would not need something like that, but it had been quite helpful to Viktor when he was in there.

The day had firmly eased itself into night. The only light was filtering in from the open bedroom door from the entry way, and a soft green glow that was coming from the bathroom. Viktor glanced down at Jayce. He was knocked out. It was the only term to describe how hard the man was sleeping. He was on his belly, head pillowed on his arms, his face turned toward Viktor. There was a little dripple of drool seeping from his lips. It would be disgusting if it wasn’t so endearing.

Jayce had carried him into this room like a cave man and then proceeded to ravage him. They had spent the rest of the day entwined in this bed. Mostly talking, but also exploring this new thing between them. Touch, intimacy, sex. Viktor hadn’t known what he expected sex with Jayce to be like. He knew it would be good. There was no way a man as empathetic and kind as Jayce would be a selfish lover, but it wasn’t something Viktor allowed his thoughts to wander to. It had firmly been in the “do not think about this” box in his mind.

He certainly wasn’t expecting all the love confessions and crying, but he couldn’t say that that was unenjoyable. Jayce was so forward with his emotions. If anything it made his heart swell to bursting. He would never need question Jayce’s intentions or motivations. It was clear in every movement, every word, every breath he took.

Viktor took a deep breath and…he could feel it coming. The itching in his throat, the crackling of his lungs. The maddening sensation, the slow build that he knew he couldn’t hold back for long. He was surprised that he had lasted this long without giving into it, but that might be due to whatever medications this version of himself was taking. He tried to slip out of the bed as softly as possible. Sliding his legs out backwards, the carpet under his feet as he tried to shift his weight.

Pain shot through him the moment he put pressure on his bad leg, white-hot and searing, radiating up his leg, into his hip, and spreading along his spine. He gritted his teeth, a sharp gasp escaping his lips. His balance faltered, and he had to grab the edge of the mattress to stop himself from toppling over completely.

“Damn it,” He coughed once but tried to hold it back, glancing at Jayce’s unconscious face. All was still for a moment while he waited to see if Jayce would stir, but the man remained oblivious to the world.

His muscles strained with the effort as he lowered himself to his knees, sweat already dampening the back of his neck. He clenched his jaw, trying to silence the coughs clawing their way up his throat. The urge was overwhelming, his chest tightening with each passing second. That broken glass feel again that made his entire body ache.

The soft rise and fall of Jayce’s breathing filled the room, a slight rumbling snore on every inhale and a little whistle on the way out. A steady rhythm that Viktor found oddly comforting. For a moment, he hesitated, watching Jayce’s face shadowed by the low light. He was so devastatingly handsome. It was almost cruel how beautiful he was and how effortless it was for him. He leveled praise at Viktor as if he were a god and yet he was the truly magnificent specimen.

Viktor lowered himself to sit on the ground, moving carefully, wincing as another stab of pain hit his hip. He scooted forward on the carpet, each motion a calculated effort to avoid putting weight on his right side. His hands trembled as he reached for his shirt, which lay in a crumpled heap near the foot of the bed.

Pulling it over his head, he let out a shaky exhale. The shirt hung loosely on him, falling just below his hips but he left himself as-is, he didn’t want to try and wriggle himself into his sweatpants. This was undignified enough, he would spare himself the humiliation of thrashing around on the floor just to put more clothes on. His cane was in the living room, by the couch. He tried not to feel shame as he scooted himself across the floor and past the threshold of the door.

Finally closing the door behind him, he managed to use the handle to pull himself up. The cool metal biting into his palm as he hauled himself upright, keeping all the weight on his left leg. His breath came in short, shallow gasps, his heart hammering in his chest. The instant he was standing the cough he’d been holding back erupted with full force. He stumbled toward the couch, collapsing onto it as the fit overtook him.

It was a brutal wracking cough that went through his whole body as he tried to bury it in the crook of his elbow. The sound echoed in the quiet apartment, harsh and grating. Ricocheting around the high ceilings, all the hard wood flooring and wide open space doing nothing to absorb the sound. Tears welled in his eyes, and his throat burned, each cough sending sharp jolts of pain through his lungs. He hunched forward, gripping the edge of the cushion, trying to muffle the noise to no avail. The horrid sweetness of phlegm filling his mouth, tinged with the metallic taste of blood.

It was devastating and he worried that coming out here wasn’t enough to prevent Jayce from waking up from the sound. That perhaps he should have just buried his face in one of the many pillows on the bed and stayed where he was. It would have been less disturbing than listening to himself echoed back. Alone in the dark living room, crouched on the sofa in only a slightly too big t-shirt and no pants, hacking was not a sight he particularly wanted Jayce to see.

But he was just as unlucky in this world as he was in the last.

The bedroom door opened, creaking softly. Jayce immerged rubbing at his eyes and had slipped on his sweatpants again but forgoing the shirt.

“V?” Jayce’s voice was thick with sleep, his concern cutting through the haze of Viktor’s discomfort. He took a step closer, his brows furrowed.

He was so perfect it made Viktor’s eyes hurt. All his muscles thickly defined. He had muscles Viktor hadn’t even known existed. His arms alone.

Viktor tried to stifle the cough, swallowing it back, the tickle was a living thing squirming and writhing in his throat, “I’m sorry.”

His voice came out like a croak and then he was coughing again. There was a hand on his back in a moment, rubbing up and down in calming strokes. Coming up to his shoulder to massage the junction between his neck.

“Here, let me get you some water.” Jayce left his side for the kitchen and Viktor wanted to protest but didn’t. He wanted Jayce to go back into the bedroom and pretend he hadn’t heard anything. But that wasn’t Jayce.

Jayce flicked the light on and rummaged around the kitchen as Viktor’s lungs finally calmed down just in time for him to be handed a lukewarm glass of water from the tap. He took a couple grateful gulps as Jayce sat beside him.

“Did you come out here for that?” Jayce was looking at him with those eyes. Those eyes that saw right through to the heart of everything. So open and full of love that it was difficult for Viktor to look directly at them.

Viktor took a deep breath, and another drink and remained silent.

“You know you don’t have to do that, right?” Jayce ran a hand up his bare calf and Viktor was reminded that he was not wearing pants, “I don’t mind. I’d prefer it even. You don’t have to hide this stuff from me.”

“Perhaps I prefer it.” Viktor looked away from those affectionate eyes, trying to take deeper and deeper breaths.

“Do you prefer it? Would you really rather I stayed in that room and just listened to you out here?”

Viktor didn’t want to answer that question, didn’t want to say, yes. Yes he did wish that Jayce had stayed in the room and pretended not to hear him, so he pushed at Jayce’s leg with his toes, “I do not want to be seen like this.”

Jayce pulled his face back, so they were looking at each other, “I know you hate this, V, and I wish you were spared this pain in this life. In this body… but at the same time…I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator. Viktor took another sip of the water, feeling Jayce’s eyes on him, warm and unyielding. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, necessarily, but it was heavy.

Viktor tipped his head to rest against the couch, the glass still in hand. “I am fine now,” he whispered, glancing at Jayce. His voice was hoarse.

Jayce’s brow furrowed, unconvinced, “Fine, huh? I wanna take that word out of your vocabulary. I feel like we should put a ban on it.”  He took the glass from Viktor and set it on the coffee table. “I’ll make you some tea,” he said softly, already standing.

“No need,” Viktor protested, reaching out to grab Jayce’s wrist, “Just sit.”

Jayce hesitated but obeyed, settling back beside him. Viktor let his head fall onto Jayce’s shoulder, and draped his legs over the man’s lap, drawing comfort from the steady rise and fall of his chest. They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in a cocoon of quiet understanding.

Jayce pressed a kiss to Viktor’s temple, lingering just long enough to feel the warmth of his skin. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked softly.

Viktor nodded, eyes fluttering shut.

For a while, they remained like that, basking in the comfort of each other’s presence. Viktor’s breathing slowed, matching Jayce’s rhythm. The room had settled into stillness.

Jayce’s fingers idly traced patterns along Viktor’s arm. “You know,” he murmured after a while, “we should probably find those…communication devices. The phones. It’s probably important. I think I know where this Jayce has his.”

Viktor just hummed in agreement but made no move to get up. Jayce was right, of course, they should further orient themselves with the world, but he was feeling rather vulnerable and didn’t want to break the mood. It wasn’t often that he let others help him, or see him quite this way and he wanted to bask in it for a moment.

“Here,” Jayce patted his leg, “let me get that bag I brought, and we can see if it’s in there.”

Viktor reluctantly shifted letting Jayce get up and watched his back as he went into the foyer. His ass looked incredible in those pants. Viktor couldn’t help but admire it. He didn’t remember ever being this uncontrollable, but he supposed it becomes harder to keep it tucked away in a box when you spent the last four hours experiencing everything you were trying not to think about. Viktor wondered if Jayce would be willing to experience the other way around.

Jayce returned with a plain leather satchel, rummaging through it when he pulled out a sleek, thin black device. Very similar to Sky’s. Jayce dropped the satchel on the coffee table and slumped back onto the couch next to him.

“Do you think this is it?” Jayce offered it to him.

Viktor took the device and examined it. It seemed like a small view screen with a couple of buttons on the side, “It is similar to what Sky had, when she said she was calling you.”

Viktor pressed one of the buttons on the side and the screen turned on. It showed a clock, 7:32 p. m., and a picture of Viktor out on the balcony tending to the plants. Ah. So it was confirmed than, he was indeed the green thumb out of the two of them. The photo was fairly recent, possibly taken within the last month or so.

Touching the screen made it change, and it asked for a “bio-metric” and showed what looked like a finger print, “Hmm, I think you need to touch it.”

Jayce attempted multiple fingers until his thumb finally “unlocked” the device. Then, the same photo as the previous screen but there were little boxes with different titles all over. Then flashing red icons at the top.

“Huh, what do you think all of that is,” Jayce had his chin resting on Viktor’s shoulder watching as he tried to navigate through the device’s interface.

Viktor pulled down the top with all the flashing icons and there was a flood of notifications. The little handle icon apparently meant Missed calls. They ranged from Sprout—Caitlyn—along with Caitlyn’s mother, Mel, and someone named Alex. A couple from unnamed strings of numbers. Then there was the little…paper icon that meant Messages. Of which there were a few. Viktor clicked on the icon itself and saw a list of names, some of which had little glowing numbers by them. The first message was from Vik Work, which turned out to be Sky. Which seemed an odd way to name her in his…phone.

Vik Work: Hey, Jayce, Viktor forgot all his stuff at school. Can you swing by and grab it tomorrow? Thanks!-Sky

“Should we message her back?” Jayce asked, he pulled Viktor down the couch a bit, so his back was to Jayce’s chest, his legs stretched out down the couch. Viktor allowed it, though he may have to have a talk with the man about man-handling him around. Jayce seemed to take more liberties now that they were being intimate. “Shall I agree?”

“Yes.”

Viktor tapped the little open bar at the bottom of the screen and a keyboard popped up. Very interesting. He didn’t know how he knew which of the letters meant what, or how he was reading this language at all, but he typed out a simple message that seemed in line with Jayce’s usual tone from the previous dialogues.

Yes, sorry for the late reply, we will stop by in the morning. Thank you, Sky.

They moved on to the rest of the messages.

Alex (Partner): Everything okay? Will you be in for the meetings tomorrow? Let me know.

Alex (Partner): I can move some stuff around tomorrow but the meeting on Thursday is non-negotiable

Alex (Partner): Hey man, I know shits been rough, but you can’t just ignore me. I need to know if we have to reschedule the week. You know some of these guys only wanna talk to you, the golden boy. You’re the face and the brain behind the operation, I’m just the replacement.

This Alex must be Jayce’s “partner.”  It didn’t seem like he and Jayce had a great relationship and scrolling up through the texts Jayce was oddly short with the other man and most of the communication was one sided. There seemed to be a string of texts from Mel, as well. But before Viktor could select them Jayce reached around and tapped on a thread labeled Love of My Life ❤️. It was Viktor. The most recent message was from Jayce.

Jayce: Sorry about this morning. Want me to make reservations at that Indian place? Love you, baby.

Jayce blinked, tilting his head as he stared at the screen. “So that isn’t the best start.” He tried for a light tone, but there was a faint furrow in his brow.

Viktor hummed, scrolling up. “You apologizing? It seems accurate to our relationship.” His voice was teasing, but there was a hint of exhaustion behind it. The coughing fit had drained him of what little energy he had had. He felt ready to go to sleep, which was unusual for him. He usually stayed up well into the night working. Than again, it had been a day. It was hard to imagine that it had only been a couple hours since they were thrust into these bodies.

Jayce snorted softly. “Most of these messages are just seeing when we will both be at home and figuring out dinner plans.” He adjusted his grip, pulling Viktor a little closer, nestling his chin on Viktor’s shoulder. “With how much I seem to be apologizing there’s barely anything from you on that front.”

“Perhaps that’s a discussion for in-person arguments,” Viktor mused, his lips twitching into a faint smile.

They scrolled in silence for a few moments, skimming through the messages.

“I keep calling you ‘baby’ in every text.” Jayce said, raising an eyebrow. “I can’t believe you let me.”

“Maybe this other version of me enjoys it.” Viktor deadpanned.

“Do you enjoy it?” Jayce leaned in, his breath warm against Viktor’s ear.

Viktor shot him a tired but pointed look. “I may tolerate it.”

Jayce kissed Viktor’s neck then behind his ear, “Baby.”

Viktor shivered, turning his head, “No. We will not be doing that. It is ‘V’ or ‘Viktor’. That is all.”

“How about The Herold?”

“Absolutely not.”

Jayce chuckled softly, returning his eyes to the screen as they scrolled further. The playful banter faded when they noticed a pattern.

“Hmm,” Viktor murmured, “It seems… the sentiment is often one-sided.”

Jayce’s stomach twisted as he stared at the screen. “This Viktor… doesn’t really say much back, huh?”

“Not in terms of affection,” Viktor agreed quietly. “But he does respond to logistical things.”

“That’s not really the same,” Jayce muttered.

Viktor exhaled slowly. “Perhaps they have… communication issues.”

Jayce huffed a laugh, but it lacked humor. “You think?” He rubbed a hand over his face, suddenly feeling drained. “I don’t get it. We—we don’t argue much. Not unless it’s something important.”

Viktor arched an eyebrow. “And yet…” He scrolled up. He was about to say more when a sudden flash of color caught his eye. His fingers moved instinctively, scrolling back to it until—

“Oh,” he whispered, nearly dropping the phone.

A photo of Jayce’s… anatomy stared back at him.

Viktor blinked, stunned for a moment. “Well.”

Jayce winced, reaching for the phone, but Viktor leaned forward, holding it just out of reach with a suppressed smile contorting his lips. His eyes sparkled with familiar mischief, and it sent a jolt of warmth through Jayce.

“Let me have it, V!”

“What, I want to see!” Viktor laughed, a sound that was soft and raspy but bright all the same, as Jayce rolled over him. Viktor twisting away at the last second to keep the phone from Jayce’s grasp.

“You’re cheating,” Jayce huffed, now half-straddling Viktor as he made another grab. Viktor dodged, moving the phone behind his head.

“Strategy,” Viktor corrected, smirking. “Not cheating.”

Jayce chuckled, pressing his weight just enough to pin Viktor’s legs. “Call it whatever you want—it’s mine now.”

Jayce leaned in, wrapping an arm around Viktor’s waist, pinning the man down into the couch cushions. Then searching around behind Viktor’s back for his bent arm and the offensive device. Jayce’s fingers grazed the phone, and Viktor jerked it to the side—

Only for a bubbling laugh to escape Viktor’s throat and abruptly turn into a coughing fit.

“Oh, V.” Jayce tried not to laugh while still attempting to wrestle the phone from Viktor’s loosening grip. “That’s what you get!”

Viktor relented, letting Jayce pull the phone away. The other man leaned back and replaced it in his hand with the glass of water. Viktor took a grateful gulp as the coughing calmed down.

Jayce looked at the phone with a grimace. When their eyes met, he gave a halfhearted shrug. “Seems like I was trying to get you to come home while you were out with Sky. You weren’t impressed.”

He tossed the phone back onto Viktor’s lap and settled, maneuvering them so he sat pressed against Viktor’s back again. Viktor’s reply had, in fact, been fairly hostile.

Viktor: Truly, a work of art

Jayce: Come home and experience it

Viktor: I’ll pass.

Jayce: Come on, Vik. It misses you.

Viktor: I am out with friends for the first time in weeks and you are sending me dick pics? Did your plans fall through?

Jayce: What plans?

Viktor: Oh? No plans? No...late night liaisons?

Jayce: The only late night liaison I want is you

Viktor: Is that so?

Jayce: Ok, so maybe this wasn’t the way to go about it, but you used to like a spontaneous pic

Viktor: There are a lot of things I used to like

Jayce: What does that mean?

Viktor: It means I am allowed a social life outside of you, just like you have one outside of me

Jayce: I never said you weren’t, its just that we haven’t…in a while, I miss you and I don’t know what social life you think I have. Vi?

Viktor: Sure, I’m talking about Vi

Jayce: Say what you want to say

Viktor: Have a good evening Jayce. I will be home when I come home, and I am not interested in what you’ve got there. If you want I will sleep in the guest room.

Jayce: No, I’ll sleep in the guest room if it’s going to be like that, you hate the bed in there

Viktor: Do what you want.

Jayce: I didn’t do this to fight, fuck me if I thought you might actually like it, think it was funny

Viktor: It is funny that you thought that was going to entice me into anything

Jayce didn’t reply to that message. The next one was the following day, Jayce asking what Viktor wanted for dinner. That set of messages was about two weeks before today.

Viktor shifted against Jayce. “I would have found that amusing. Your counterpart must have had him quite angry recently for that to be my response.”

Jayce hummed into Viktor’s neck. “I don’t like how they seem to speak to each other. We would never talk to each other like that, would we? I can’t imagine.”

A soft rumbling from Viktor’s stomach broke the tension, making his hunger known to the room. He hadn’t realized how famished he was. Distracted by the day, he realized he hadn’t eaten… perhaps since the morning.

Jayce stood and stretched, his muscles flexing as he rolled his shoulders. “Well, looks like all this food talk got you hungry.” He pressed a quick kiss to Viktor’s temple before fully rising. “I’ll figure this kitchen out and make something. You keep looking for clues, yeah?”

Viktor nodded absentmindedly, already sinking back into his thoughts as Jayce disappeared into the kitchen. The clatter of pans and the low creaking of cabinets opening and closing followed. Oddly, there was a distinct lack of hesitation in Jayce’s movements. He maneuvered through the space as though he already knew where everything was, pulling out ingredients with ease. Viktor noted it but didn’t comment. It was yet another peculiar detail in a day full of peculiarities.

Instead, his gaze fell back on the phone. His fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating for a beat before clicking out of their conversation. His eyes flicked to the thread labeled simply Mel—nothing more, no quirky nickname, no affectionate title. Just her name.

Odd. Sky was labeled “Vik Work,” Alex had “Partner” next to his name, and even Vi’s contact read “Vi (Cait gf).” But Mel? No additional context. Nothing to indicate her role.

He exhaled through his nose, a flicker of something sharp and familiar flaring in his chest. Jealousy was a poison he knew well—one that had gnawed at him relentlessly after the Hexcore fused with him, warping his thoughts and intensifying his possessiveness. He refused to indulge it now. At least not immediately.

Instead, Viktor tapped on Vi’s thread, skimming through the messages. The exchange was casual, littered with shorthand and little pictures of faces or moving pictures that ranged from strange to absurd. Most of it seemed to revolve around plans to meet up. Vi often invited them to her MMA matches, sometimes to watch her practice, and other times just to hang out. It was… boxing, fighting. Vi and Jayce also apparently regularly went to the gym together. One particular conversation caught his eye.

Jayce: I fucked up. Big time. Need advice.
Vi: What else is new?
Jayce: Seriously, Vi. Viktor’s ignoring me. Cold shoulder, full grudge mode. Love of my life and all, but he completely ices me out when he’s mad. I’m not even fully sure what he’s pissed about this time.
Vi: Idk man, maybe stop fucking up?
Jayce: Super helpful. Thanks.
Vi: Get him something for science. Or, idk, rail him for a couple hours. Works for me and Cait.
Jayce: I didn’t need to know that.
Vi: Sure you did. Obviously you’re not doing it enough.

Viktor blinked, reading the exchange twice. His lips twitched, hovering somewhere between amusement and exasperation. Vi’s advice was blunt, to say the least, but there was an odd comfort in the way Jayce spoke about him—even to someone else. Though he was becoming increasingly unsettled by how his relationship seemed to be in constant turmoil. Those messages were from about 16 days ago, a couple days before the failed “dick pic” incident it seemed Jayce tried to follow her advice. But it didn’t answer the question of why Viktor was “icing him out.”

His fingers itched to check what he really wanted. He let his eyes flick over to Jayce who was working his way chopping a multitude of vegetables. Humming to himself. Viktor swiped back to the messages. Viktor let his thumb hover over Mel's name. The deep gnawing desire to just see, though he knew it wouldn't matter. His Jayce, the one humming around the kitchen making him dinner, wouldn't do anything to harm him. The Jayce of this world could have been doing anything and it wouldn't affect his opinion on his Jayce.

Jayce stood by him at his worst, still thought he was worth saving after he had mutated himself beyond recognition. He trusted that man beyond anything and yet....his finger hovered over her name.

What did he fear he would find?

What did he hope he would find?

A business relationship with no further implications. Jayce speaking highly of him to her. Nothing out of the ordinary. What he feared he’d find ranged, but the clearest vision in his mind was of another explicit photo trying to entice someone…not himself.

Anger split him like a hammer to the chest and he let his thumb press back into his own thread again. To the safety of the little red heart by his moniker. “The love of my life.” Whatever was happening between this version of Jayce and Mel it wasn't for Viktor to dig through. He didn't want to know like this, if there was anything. Which there probably wasn't, and it wouldn't matter anyway because it wouldn't have been his Jayce doing it.

There was no reason for this. It was irrational. When Jayce had told him he was in a relationship with Mel he had taken a firm grip of the gnawing beast inside him and firmly beat it into obscurity. He hid it so far away that he barely noticed it, there was far too much going on at the time and he and Jayce had been struggling with the direction of Hextech and Jayce's new council position to be worried about who Jayce was sleeping with. Not to mention he was dying, and in such constant pain it had been hard to think clearly.

Without all those factors that creature had bloomed. He had been so blind to not see it. In the way he molded his followers bodies in her colors of white and gold. How he made them, while close enough to his own form, curved in ways he was not. How when he saw them together talking in the council room he had wanted to scream but held it in. He had been glad to see them fighting, in his mind that would mean Jayce would be more open to joining him.

It was not a part of himself he wished to indulge ever again.

He scrolled up to where they had stopped their exploration together. The photo was... interesting. Jayce leaning back in their bed, propped on the pillows, nude, himself in hand and the focus of the photo. It was taken from....below causing most of it to be just phallus but with the rest in the corner of the picture, Jayce had a boyish grin on his face like he thought this would be a good idea. Playful.

Then Viktor’s own sarcastic response. He had a hard time believing that he and Jayce seemed to have such a difficult time communicating. That this version of himself would refuse to acknowledge Jayce's obvious attempts at reconciliation without cause.

He wondered how he, himself, would have responded to such a photograph. Not with disdain, surely. Just looking at it he felt a stirring and looked back at Jayce in the kitchen scraping all his chopped vegetables into a large pot on the stove in blissful ignorance to Viktors musings on the couch. Viktor would find it hard to be mad at that man for any period of time, let alone a month’s long grudge that would have him denying himself, how did Jayce put it, the best sex of his life. Unless the Jayce of this universe was lacking which, again, Viktor found doubtful. Or maybe this Viktor was just so used to it.

Viktor scrolled up a few, he did not wish to linger on that photo longer than was...appropriate. He did not have to scroll far to find a rather long and in depth argument.

Jayce: I'm sorry, baby, can I come home?

Viktor: It is you're apartment.

Jayce: It doesn't feel like it when you're not talking to me. I didn't mean it, I'm just really scared. I don't know what to do and you....sometimes it feels like you don't care about how this is affecting me.

Viktor: I am the one dying, Jayce. However that makes you feel does not give you the right to speak to me the way you do or give you the right to control how I handle it.

Jayce: All I want is a second opinion. You hid this from me for months Vik, You knew something was wrong and you hid it from me. Months you could have been getting treatment but thought you would just ride it out. That it would just go away. Well it didn't. You were coughing up blood! It took you passing out after hours at school for you to go to the hospital! What would have happened if that guy didn't find you!

Viktor: Are you really going to bring up hiding things for long periods of time? Lying? Need I remind you of some choice decisions you've made?

Jayce: I chose the health plan for Talis Tech the way I did for a reason Viktor. It's the best one, I pay a premium so that the people of this company never have to worry about getting sick and that was for you! It was just for you! I don't know why you are limiting your own health care, you're being stubborn. You're going to die, you're killing yourself and leaving me behind because you won't let me help you.

Viktor: I have health insurance and what it doesn't cover you certainly have enough money to pay for it.

Jayce: WE have enough money, you mean. WE DO. It's your money Viktor, whether you want to acknowledge that or not all of this is yours, how do you think we live where we live, eat how we eat, have the freedom we have, you chose this life with me, you wanted it, no matter how much you protest.

Viktor: I did not choose to abandon our dream for money. No, I did not.

Jayce: You seemed to like it when we finally had the funding for you to truly be free in the lab. Got into that big building and got you a real set up, a bunch of interns and assistants. No strings, full control, it was perfect for you. Do you really think that money just came out of thin air? That a bunch of investors cared enough about amputees and the disabled to finally start shoveling millions of dollars at us? Thought it was Kickstarter that really put us on the map, crowd funding did it???

Viktor: I am not doing this over texts, Jayce. If you want to speak to me you will have to do it in person.

Jayce: oh yeah, and you're actually going to talk to me?

Viktor:  I am talking to you now.

Jayce: Viktor, Víťo, baby, please just let's get a second opinion with a better doctor if you won't let me put you on my insurance that's fine, we can pay out of pocket. Please baby, don't let what's going on between you and me and fucking Talis Tech kill you.

Viktor: I am getting adequate care Jayce, I do not understand why you have determined I'm not. Need I remind you that Dr. Reveck is this 'second opinion', you did not like the diagnosis from the ER, now you do not like Dr. Reveck. How many second opinions do you need?

Jayce: Yeah, adequate under your shitty fucking insurance, limited to 1 specialist who has terrible ratings

Jayce: you think I haven't noticed all your gene therapy research? I go in your study, I see what you're trying to do. Cure yourself on your own somehow when we could actually JUST TAKE YOU TO BETTER DOCTORS.

Jayce: I just wanna get you better care, baby, fucking please, I'm begging you Vik, what do you need me to do to convince you?

Jayce: I hate when you act like you're being reasonable when you're the one putting these limits on us.

Jayce: why is this the hill you're going to die on, huh? Literally die on to prove some point about financial inequality FUCK THAT Vik, what's the point of money if you're not going to let me take you to the best specialists in the world? All this is worthless if you do this to me

Viktor: do this to you?

Viktor: I am doing this TO YOU

Viktor: So my terminal illness is an affront to YOU

Jayce: don't twist my words around

Viktor: Say hello to your mother for me.

Viktor leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. The conversation played in his head, over and over. He couldn’t imagine himself—any version of himself—putting limits on his own survival. But here it seemed to prove a point to his own husband he was limiting his own healthcare. Though, the accusation that he waited, hid his illness until it was too late sounded like himself. He had known he was dying long before the incident that caused him to pass out in the lab. How could he not have known. He just hadn’t wanted it to be confirmed, as long as it hadn't been set in stone he could function as if it wasn't a driving factor in his need for something great to happen NOW.

There was also the issue of how Talis Tech seemed to be funded which confirmed Viktors hypothesis that it was the weapons that had driven them apart. They were perhaps partners before, then Jayce had lied about funding sources and that caused Viktor to leave it seems. Hm.

He scrolled on until he reached another clear argument. This one was dated about six weeks prior.

Jayce: I think we should look into cancer

Viktor: It isn't cancer Jayce

Jayce: How do we know if we haven't tried it

Viktor: It’s not like trying on shoes Jayce. It simply is what it is.

Jayce: We went to one quack outside of the ER and haven't even explored the possibility

Viktor: Would it being terminal cancer instead soothe you, Jayce

Jayce: What would soothe me is not being told that the love of my life only has 3 to 5 years to live, Viktor,  that's what would fucking soothe me

Viktor: Don't speak to me that way, there is no call for it

Jayce: You're being sarcastic, you're taunting me and pushing my buttons then you turn around and tell me not to react

Viktor: am I taunting you? You used to enjoy my sense of humor.

Jayce: That wasn't a joke, you're dying you understand that I know you do. You weren't in bed last night and I heard you crying in your study. You think I don't have eyes? You're trying to act like you're OK but you're not and you're blocking me out and implying that I'm being some type of way when all I want is to explore the options

Viktor: We go to an oncologist they will see cancer Jayce, they are predisposed to it, we went to a pulmonologist for a reason, he only cares about the respiratory system itself, he would have said cancer if it was cancer

Jayce: He was strange and barely even looked at the scans before making his call, then he’s putting you on all these drugs that make you feel like shit, refusing to even consider putting you on a doner list. I checked and it seems like he has a record of diagnosing IPF! There is even a lawsuit for a misdiagnosis. I took the scans to Cassandre's husband, and he said that it was inconclusive, that he would be calling for more tests if you went to him.

Viktor: Caitlyn’s father is a Neurosurgeon.

Jayce: How does that disqualify him? He's a fucking neurosurgeon!

Viktor: Who gave you permission to show people my medical documents?

Jayce: Oh, so we're changing the subject? Viktor please, there are a few oncologists that we can go to, all kinds of different specialists, we do not have to just take this diagnosis

Viktor: You didn't ask me if you could, you just did it.

Jayce: Viktor that's not what this conversation is about

Viktor: Really? I feel like it is. Jayce, my lunch break is almost over, we can discuss this at home. You know I hate doing these things over the phone.

Jayce: I love you, baby. You know that right? I love you so fucking much it hurts.

Viktor: I love you too, Jayce...

That was the first I love you that Viktor had seen himself send back. While the conversation seemed wrought with suppressed anger he also noted that there was a distinct difference in tone. Whatever else happened between him and Jayce it happened after this conversation. He scrolled up farther. The conversations were dull but when Jayce reached out with affection Viktor returned it. Then about eleven weeks prior another conversation caught his attention.

Jayce: Hey, baby, how's the cough, you scared me last night

Viktor: It is manageable

Jayce: I don't like that this cold is sticking around so long, it might be pneumonia or something

Viktor: Doubtful, I had pneumonia as a child, and I would be having a fever.

Jayce: Things like that can come back, can't they, like shingles?

Viktor: I don't know

Jayce: I don't know, baby, I just feel like you being sick for 3 months is a little excessive. I know you don't want to, but I just feel like we should seriously consider going in. It's probably an infection or something

Viktor: I will consider it

Jayce: Ok, love you, baby

Viktor: Love you ❤️

This conversation was before his diagnosis. It was clear not only due to the subject but how the texts above it were all far more intimate. Loving even. Viktor was receptive and open, and he stumbled across multiple photographs, some even sent from himself. Usually it was what they were doing, gym or class or office or home. Occasionally explicit.

Scrolling up he got a clear picture of how these two versions of themselves loved each other. It took a while scrolling before he would stumble across another argument, this one a few months prior.

Jayce: Would you consider coming in to the lab and doing a consultation?

Viktor: No

Jayce: Come on, it's for the prosthetic sector. The guys in the lab would really benefit from your help, babe

 Victor: You made your choice. I am not participating, that is our agreement.

 Jayce: I’m not asking for your help with any of the weapons stuff. It's for the prosthesis. Isn't that what you want this company to focus on?

Jayce: Talis Tech  is never going to get out of weapons unless we can make the robotic prosthetics connect to the nervous system without that there is no point.

Viktor: We made a deal Jayce. I don't divorce you and force you to liquidate the company we built together, and you do not talk about Talis Tech to me at all. You do not ask for my opinions. You do not ask for my consultations. I will no longer work on any projects connected to Talis Tech. All projects under my name were to be destroyed, all my research was to be stripped from your use, yes?

Viktor: You promised this. It was a condition to continue our marriage.

Jayce: You say that like love didn't factor in it at all

Viktor: I love you Jayce, but you betrayed my trust.

Jayce: It's been 5 years, baby, you said you forgive me. You can't say you forgive me then turn around and throw it in my face. I miss working with you, I miss having you here and they need you in the lab.

Viktor: I forgive your intentions, I forgive your motivations, I love you wholly and completely. But that does not mean I forget what you did.

Jayce: How long are you going to punish me?

Viktor: Don’t be dramatic, Jayce. I haven't taken anything from you, I'm just not giving you what you want.

Viktor: There is a song about that isn't there something about? “You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes I'm sure you'll find you get what you need.”

Jayce: Ha, ha, I'm being serious

Viktor: So am I

Jayce: So you won't consult?

Viktor: No

Jayce: Fine.

Viktor: Oh that's it? Fine? You must be quite mad at me, I could get in a motorcycle accident on the way home and the last thing you would have said to me was "fine." All angry

Jayce: I love you

Viktor: I love you, too, Jayce

That was all the confirmation Viktor needed. It answered a multitude of questions in one final swoop. Jayce had lied about the weapons contracts or at least hadn't told his Viktor. When the other Viktor found out they almost got a divorce, and he would have dismantled the company if the other Jayce hadn’t convinced him otherwise somehow. They kept their marriage and a tentative peace until this Viktor's diagnosis which, he assumed had them both spinning out of control. There seemed to be another shift the was creating more hostility more recently, but it wasn’t clear from the messages what that was.

This world's Jayce clearly loved his Viktor, but like his own Jayce was willing to put his morals aside for progress and prestige. Willing to put Viktor's wishes aside to save his life. This world Viktor refused to bend his morals even at the expense of his own health. Though it was a little...lackluster in the face of this beautiful apartment. He seemed fine to spend this money in other ways. Viktor had a hard time following the logic, but he was tired, and his chest hurt when he breathed...and hungry.

He flicked his eyes back to Jayce in the kitchen, his back to him now as he worked at the stove. He seemed too natural in there, as if he already knew where everything would be. As if he made meals here regularly.

Viktor exited the conversation and the messages completely, setting the phone down on the coffee table with deliberate care.

Viktor reached for Jayce’s original discarded sweatpants that were still lingering on the floor next to the couch. He picked them up and carefully shimmied into them, tying the strings as tight as possible to keep them from slipping off his narrow hips. Satisfied they wouldn’t immediately fall, he grabbed his cane and padded into the kitchen.

Jayce was at the stove, stirring the contents of a large pot with a wooden spoon. The kitchen smelled faintly of garlic and herbs. It was soup full of vegetables and pasta it seemed.

“Find anything helpful?” Jayce asked without looking up.

Viktor shook his head. Without really thinking, he took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Jayce from behind, resting his head against Jayce’s broad back. It was a rare gesture, and he felt Jayce freeze for a moment before slowly relaxing, one hand coming to rest on Viktor’s arm, rubbing gentle circles with his thumb.

“Anything interesting at least?” Jayce’s voice was soft.

“Not particularly,” Viktor murmured.

They stood like that for a moment, the quiet drone of the kitchen filling the space between them. Viktor didn’t know exactly what he was feeling. The messages were unsettling, yes, but it wasn’t something he wanted to delve into right now. Not tonight. It was their first day here. There was plenty of time to dig into the intricacies of their alternate lives. For now, he just wanted to enjoy the calm.

Jayce continued to stir the pot on the stove. “I’ve been thinking,” he said. “The first thing we need to get a handle on is whatever’s going on with you—your meds, and, you know… this sickness. That’s our first order of business. Everything else can wait.”

Viktor hummed in agreement, closing his eyes as he absorbed Jayce’s warmth.

“We also need to ensure the other version of you hasn’t been… cooking things up.”

“Mm? What do you mean?”

“It’s something Sky mentioned when she called me. I was just rolling it around in my mind. Seems like you take things into your own hands… even in other universes.”

Viktor chuckled, a low, warm sound. “So no office or meetings for you tomorrow? You don’t think that will matter, if this Jayce doesn’t show up?”

Jayce turned off the stove and wiped his hands on a towel before turning around in the circle of Viktor’s arms. “I think this Jayce and that Jayce both want this Viktor and that Viktor to be alive and well for a long time.”

Viktor’s gaze softened. “You would do anything for me, Jayce. In any universe, I think.”

Jayce smiled, cupping Viktor’s cheek and pressing their heads together. “Of course.”

Viktor tilted his head slightly, thoughtful. “Do you think we ever share a timeline that doesn’t end in tragedy?”

Jayce’s expression turned serious, his thumb brushing over Viktor’s cheekbone. “The only timelines I care about are the ones where I get to spend my life with you.”

Viktor’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, savoring the warmth of Jayce’s body. When he opened them again, Jayce was still watching him, his eyes open and full of affection. He tipped his head back in silent invitation and Jayce answered the call.

-------------

They sat cross-legged on the floor, their soup bowls resting on the coffee table. Jayce’s improvised concoction, a simple but hearty broth with vegetables, was doing its job. Viktor’s chest felt less tight, and the warmth of the soup spread through him, soothing the ache in his lungs.

Jayce leaned back against the couch, spoon tapping idly against the side of his bowl. He glanced around the room, taking in the details they hadn’t really had time to notice earlier. His eyes landed on a section of shelves along the far wall, filled with books, trinkets, and something that caught his attention—a sleek, record player but without the brass horn. Surrounding it were stacks of vinyl records, arranged neatly but clearly well-loved.

Jayce grinned, setting his bowl aside. “I have a feeling I’ve found another one of your contributions to this apartment.” He pushed himself up and walked over to the record player, running a hand over its smooth surface. “Any requests?”

Viktor tilted his head, curiosity piqued. “What is currently there?”

Jayce lifted the lid, “Alanis Morissette.” He glanced back at Viktor.

“Hm, that means nothing to me.”

Jayce flipped through the nearby stack. “Let’s see… Kate Bush, Fiona Apple, Hozier—odd name,” He held up two records Hounds of Love and Wasteland, Baby!, but Viktor waved a hand dismissively.

“I have no frame of reference to choose,” Viktor said, resting his chin on his palm. “You decide.”

Jayce’s grin widened. Jayce started flipping through the records discovering that the shirts that Viktor was wearing seemed to be related to bands he enjoyed, finding both a Nirvana album and The Misfits.

 “Okay, let’s go with—” He carefully slid a record from its sleeve and placed it on the player. As the needle settled into the groove, a soft, dreamy guitar riff filled the room.

Viktor raised an eyebrow. “What is this?”

“Mazzy Star. Something called So Tonight That I Might See. I think the song is Fade Into You. It was the first one on the track list.” Jayce turned and walked back to Viktor, offering a hand.

Viktor hesitated but took Jayce’s hand, letting himself be pulled up. The low light from the light in the entry way cast a golden glow across the room, softening the edges of everything. They hadn’t bothered turning any of the lamps on.

Jayce wrapped an arm around Viktor’s waist, gently supporting his weight as they swayed to the music. Viktor stiffened slightly, shooting Jayce a look. “I can move on my own, Jayce. You do not need to carry me.”

“Sure you can,” Jayce teased, his voice warm and affectionate. He didn’t loosen his hold, though, instead pulling Viktor closer.

Despite his earlier protest, Viktor relaxed into the embrace, his head resting against Jayce’s chest. The gentle rhythm of the music was oddly hypnotic.

“You know,” Jayce murmured, pressing a kiss to Viktor’s temple, “I think this is the part where I say something poetic about dancing through every universe with you.”

Viktor huffed a quiet laugh. “No poetry needed.”

Jayce smiled, swaying them both a little more deliberately, his hand tracing soothing patterns along Viktor’s back. “No tragedy, either. Not this time.”

Viktor tilted his head up, catching Jayce’s eyes. “We’ll see.”

Jayce leaned down, capturing Viktor’s lips in a slow, lingering kiss. “We’ll make sure of it,” he whispered against his mouth.

Viktor hummed, a soft, contented sound, and they continued to dance—two souls finding their rhythm in a world that felt, for this moment, like their own.

-------------

The cosmos were sprawling, and Viktor was himself again. His hair was the length it was before he died the first time, his body a reflection of the space around him. Stars blinked faintly in his veins, and nebulas pulsed with his breath.

There before him was a mirror, but his reflection was wrong. The vision before him was himself but different. The hair was longer, down past the shoulders, the face was fuller slightly, but the body was the same reflection of the cosmos they were floating in. Their hair waved around them as if under water.

“You came.” The voice was soft and resonant, as if spoken by the very fabric of the universe.

“Here?” Viktor asked, his voice unsure, echoing slightly in the emptiness.

“There. To me. He said you would.” The other Viktor’s gaze was steady, though filled with something Viktor couldn’t name.

“You asked for me,” Viktor responded, his brows furrowing as he tried to grasp the meaning behind the words..

“I didn’t know I did, but yes. He came to me in a dream.”

“Who did?”

“You did. We did.”

“Why?”

The other him reached out, and they grasped hands. The touch was electric—like feeling the heartbeat of a star, warm and thrumming with power.

The cosmos around them shifted, spiraling into a mosaic of shifting colors and endless horizons. Then he was flooded with memories, old and recent. It felt like being torn apart again, every thread of his being unraveling, and then—bliss.

The first memory unfurled in a soft glow, wrapping around him like a familiar embrace. He was small, no more than eight years old, sitting on the banks of the Vltava River. He knew this place: Prague. The scent of water and freshly bloomed flowers filled the air, mingling with the distant aroma of roasted chestnuts from a vendor nearby.

Above him, the grand arches of Charles Bridge loomed, their statues casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. The late afternoon sun glinted off the water’s surface, turning it into a river of gold.

Viktor sat cross-legged, a small, self-built towboat resting in his lap. It was a delicate thing, made of scrap wood and twine, with a crank he had fashioned from a bent nail. His fingers were nimble, precise, as he twisted the crank, testing the boat’s mechanisms.

The laughter of children echoed around him, bright and carefree. A group of them played a game called “Honzo, vstávej”—a sort of freeze-tag game, where one child called out commands, and the others had to follow, except when told to stop. The shouts of “Honzo, vstávej!” followed by bursts of giggles filled the air.

Viktor glanced up from his boat, watching them for a moment. He didn’t join in, though he knew the rules by heart. His cane laying on the ground beside him. He found comfort in focusing on his task, the calm rhythm of the river lapping against the shore.

A gentle breeze tugged at his hair, and the hem of his worn, too-large coat flapped against his knees. His mother had patched it the night before, the stitches neat but obvious. He didn’t mind. The coat was warm, and that was all that mattered.

As he turned the crank one last time, the boat’s tiny paddle wheel began to spin, cutting through the water when he set it afloat. Viktor’s lips curved into a rare, small smile, satisfaction blooming in his chest as the boat drifted steadily away from the shore.

A pebble plunked into the water beside it, narrowly missing the boat. Viktor turned to see a boy, older than him, smirking from a few feet away. “Nice boat,” the boy called, his tone teasing but not unkind. Viktor didn’t reply, just nodded, his attention returning to the boat. The boy shrugged and ran off to join the game, his laughter blending with the others.

Viktor watched the boat until it was a dot on the horizon, carried away by the current. For a moment, he felt weightless, like he, too, could float away—free, untethered.

But the memory shifted, the golden light fading, the laughter of children dissolving into the background. The river blurred, and Viktor felt the tug of another memory pulling him deeper.

Then he was a teenager, standing in the dimly lit kitchen of their small apartment. The air was heavy with the scent of garlic and herbs, mingling with the faint, metallic tang of blood. His mother sat at the worn wooden table, her frame frail and wrapped in a thick shawl despite the summer heat.

She pressed a handkerchief to her lips, pulling it away to reveal fresh spots of crimson. Viktor’s stomach twisted. He clenched his fists, the helplessness clawing at his insides.

“We need to go to the doctor,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Mama, this isn’t getting better.”

His mother waved a dismissive hand, her eyes stubborn and defiant. “I told you, Viktor. The doctors don’t know anything. All they do is fill you with poisons. I have my remedies. Garlic and honey—natural, from the earth. That’s all I need.”

“But it’s not enough,” he insisted, his voice cracking with frustration. He glanced at the small glass jar on the counter, half-empty with honey that had crystallized around the edges. Beside it, a string of garlic hung like a talisman, their papery skins rustling in the breeze from the open window.

His mother stood leaning on the table for support. Her eyes softened, and she reached out to cup his cheek with a hand that trembled. “You’re a good boy, Viktor. Always worrying. But trust me. The herbalist knows what she’s doing, and the astrologer says I’ll recover soon.”

Viktor nearly laughed, the disbelief evident in his tone. “Mama, stars can’t cure you.”

She smiled, a tired but fond expression. “No, but they guide us. You’ll see.”

The vision rippled like water then Viktor stood beside his father, the cold rain soaking through his threadbare coat. The cemetery, perched on the outskirts of Prague..

The priest’s voice droned on reciting prayers that felt distant. Viktor barely heard the words over the patter of rain on the wooden coffin. It was simple, unadorned, the best they could afford. His mother had always said she didn’t need anything fancy, but standing there now, Viktor felt disgusted by how plain it was. She deserved to be buried in velvet with lacquered wood.

The small gathering consisted of family, a few neighbors, and the herbalist who had treated his mother. They stood in somber silence, heads bowed, their faces hidden beneath black umbrellas that fluttered in the wind. His father didn’t have one, standing tall and stoic, letting the rain fall freely. Viktor mimicked him, though his leg was starting to ache.

There was no elaborate procession, no carved headstone, only a simple wooden cross marking the grave. The priest finished the final blessing and stepped back, allowing Viktor and his father to approach.

Viktor’s father placed a hand on his shoulder, a rare gesture of comfort. “She’s with the stars now,” he said softly, his voice rough with grief.

As the gravediggers began their work, the herbalist approached and handed Viktor a sprig of rosemary. “For remembrance,” she whispered. He took it, nodding his thanks, and trying not to hate her.

The ceremony ended quickly. People offered condolences before slipping away, leaving Viktor and his father alone by the grave. They stood there for a long time, watching as the rain continued to fall, mingling with the freshly turned earth.

Finally, his father sighed, “Come, Viktor. We should go.”

Again the vision changed, and Viktor sat upright in his seat, fingers loosely clasped around the edge of his notebook. The hum of the plane engines thrummed in his chest. He glanced out the small window, the inky blackness of the Atlantic stretching below. Somewhere in that darkness Prague was fading behind him. Ahead lay New York—a city he’d only seen in pictures.

He wasn’t afraid. He couldn’t afford to be. Fear was useless, a luxury for those who had something to fall back on. Viktor had nothing but his mind and that would have be enough. He knew it would. There is no try. There is only forward. His father’s sacrifices had paid for the ticket, but his future? That belonged to him.

In his pocket was the student visa, real and official, stamped with all the right seals. The documents he had submitted to obtain it, however, were another story—carefully forged. Viktor had crafted them himself, every detail flawless, every signature exact. If he could forge a future on paper, he could build one in reality.

Then it was sophomore year of university, Viktor was working as an RTA. It was late August, and the campus buzzed with the usual chaos of freshmen moving in. He was tasked with giving tours of the dorms, a clipboard in hand and a detached expression on his face, until he appeared.

Jayce.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and glowing with the kind of charisma that turned heads. His dark hair tousled in an effortless way, his easy smile both infuriating and captivating. The little gap in his front teeth and sharp incisors making him even more attractive. Viktor tried not to notice. Tried and failed. The moment their eyes met, everything shifted. Jayce was a force of nature, and from that instant, Viktor knew resisting him would be impossible.

At first, it was just a passing encounter. A quick introduction, a handshake that lingered just a second too long. But then, Jayce was suddenly everywhere. He was in the engineering labs late at night. He was in the chemistry department, hovering near Viktor’s station. He was sitting in the front row of lectures where Viktor served as a TA.

Jayce’s enthusiasm was relentless, almost contagious. He talked about changing the world, about designing robotic prosthetics that could be affordable and accessible. His voice carried a kind of hope that sparked Viktor to life. Jayce wasn’t driven by ego or accolades; he was driven by love. His mother, Jayce explained one late night in the lab, had lost two fingers in a skiing accident. Frostbite.

Viktor listened, he knew, deep down, that Jayce was going to do it—and that was when it happened.

He was in love in an instant.

The world shifted again pulling him through memories as if led by a tether in his navel. It made his stomach lurch.

The office was cavernous, its high ceilings and sleek, modern decor making Viktor feel both small and out of place. He sat across from Cassandre Kiramman. She was a sharp-eyed, no-nonsense lawyer, and impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that probably cost more than Viktor’s entire student wardrobe. She also happened to be a close family friend of Jayce’s—a fact that did nothing to ease the tension settling in Viktor’s chest.

Jayce sat beside him, their fingers intertwined beneath the table. Viktor could still feel the tremor in his own hand no matter the comforting gesture. He glanced at the stack of papers in front of him: the pre-nup. Ironclad.

Cassandre’s voice was cool but professional as she explained the terms. "This agreement ensures that, in the event of a divorce, all pre-marital assets remain with Jayce. Viktor, you will not be entitled to any financial compensation beyond what you bring into the marriage."

Viktor nodded, his expression impassive. He understood. Jayce came from money—a lot of it. His family wasn’t exactly thrilled about the sudden marriage, they were only barely 22, and this pre-nup was their insurance policy. Without it, Jayce would be cut off entirely.

"Do you have any questions?" Cassandre asked, her gaze sharp.

"No," Viktor replied, voice steady. He knew what he was doing. He wasn’t here for the money. He didn’t care about the terms. This wasn’t about securing a future of luxury. It was about securing a future together.

He signed the documents. He wasn’t planning on getting divorced. He loved Jayce. Jayce loved him. That was all that mattered.

As he placed the pen down, Jayce squeezed his hand, a grin breaking through the tension. “We’re doing this,” Jayce whispered, his voice filled with warmth and excitement. “We’re really doing this.”

Viktor’s lips twitched into a rare smile. “Yes,” he murmured. “We are.”

And despite the daunting future ahead, Viktor felt certain. They would make it work.

The memory shifted, slowing as though reluctant to reveal what came next. The air in the dimly lit bedroom felt thick. Shadows stretched long across the walls, cast by a single sconce above Jayce’s nightstand. Everything was quiet. The room, their sanctuary, now felt like a cage.

Viktor stood by the edge of the bed, pale and visibly worn, his frame weakened by illness. His hands trembled slightly, but he crossed his arms to still them, bracing himself against the weight of Jayce’s gaze..

Jayce paced a few steps, running a hand through his disheveled hair before whirling around, his voice breaking the silence, sharp but edged with worry. “Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad? Why would you keep this from me?”

Viktor inhaled slowly, fighting the lump in his throat. “I didn’t want to confirm it,” he admitted, each word a struggle. “I thought if I ignored it… I don’t know what I thought.”

Jayce’s eyes flashed, his shoulders tense, every muscle coiled tight. “You never told me your mother died from a genetic disease. We could have had you checked out years ago, Viktor! We could have prevented this!”

Viktor’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I didn’t know it was genetic, she never went in to a doctor,” he said softly. “You couldn’t have prevented it.”

Jayce’s voice rose, frustration spilling over. “We could have been on top of it before it got this bad! We could have been managing it already! We need to get a second opinion. It’s possible they were wrong.”

Viktor’s eyes flickered with something between exhaustion and resolve. “My mother—” he began, but Jayce cut him off, slashing a hand through the air.

“You just said you didn’t know what she had! It could have been anything. She worked in a factory, right? This could be a coincidence.”

The room fell silent again, the tension snapping like a taut wire. Viktor’s voice dropped, calm but rigid. “Don’t… speak to me that way, Jayce.”

Jayce’s expression crumpled, regret flooding his features. He scrubbed a hand down his face, then back over his neck, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just… I just…”

The fight drained from him, leaving only raw, aching fear. He stumbled to the bed, collapsing onto its edge, his head falling into his hands. For a moment, he was still, shoulders shaking.

Viktor moved toward him, slow and deliberate. When he reached Jayce, he gently rested a hand on his shoulder. Jayce’s response was immediate, he wrapped his arms around Viktor’s waist, pulling him close, burying his face in Viktor’s stomach as if trying to anchor himself.

“I can’t lose you,” Jayce whispered, the words muffled but heavy with emotion. His voice cracked, breaking under the weight of everything left unsaid. “I can’t… I can’t do this without you.”

Viktor’s hand slid into Jayce’s hair, fingers threading through the soft strands. He tilted his head back, gazing up at the ceiling as if searching for strength. “I’m not going anywhere,” he murmured, his voice soft but resolute. “Not yet.”

The world around Viktor was a blur, a rushing fall into nothingness. He felt the weight of the abyss pulling him down, the pressure of gravity and time gone all at once. His twin was beside him, falling just as fast, their bodies colliding with each other in the void. But then, in an instant, his twin was gone, slipping out of his reach as the darkness swallowed him whole.

The void stretched on—endless, vast, and empty. There was no up or down, no sense of time or direction, just the overwhelming weight of nothingness. Viktor was alone now, the silence deafening in its vastness. A cold shiver ran down his spine as he realized he was not alone in the darkness. A figure stood before him, draped in a white, hooded cloak covered in the rot from the arcane. The figure didn’t move, didn’t make a sound. It was just there, a silhouette in the emptiness.

Viktor’s pulse raced, his mind spinning with questions, with anger, with a deep, gnawing confusion. He couldn’t stand it any longer.

"You did this?" Viktor’s voice cracked through the silence, his words sharp, desperate for some form of acknowledgment. The figure remained motionless, silent as ever. Viktor took a step forward, his voice gaining strength. “Why did you send us to this life?”

The hooded figure finally moved, a slow tilt of its head, and Viktor’s heart skipped a beat. It was as though the figure was considering his question, contemplating the answer.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything faded. The hooded figure’s form blurred, the darkness seeming to collapse in on itself. The figure was gone, leaving Viktor standing in a void even more empty than before.

Viktor would not fully remember this dream in the morning. Only the essence of it, only the feeling and the knowing.

-------------

Jayce had left his “phone” on the nightstand, a decision he regretted as a shrill, insistent noise shattered the quiet stillness of the early morning. If he’d known the damn thing would go off at 6:37 a.m., he would have left it in the living room.

The blaring sound was somewhere between an alarm and a siren, and behind him, Viktor groaned, retreating from his place spooned up against Jayce’s back and rolling over, dragging a pillow over his head.

“Turn it off,” Viktor mumbled, his voice thick with sleep and barely comprehensible.

Jayce squinted at the glowing screen, the brightness making his eyes water. The image on the display was unexpected—a blue-haired girl with goggles perched on her head, caught mid-gesture in what looked like a salute or a mock gunshot. The name Powder (Vi Sis) flashed beneath the image. He hesitated. This must be Jinx.

She doesn’t look like what I’d imagine a terrorist to look like, Jayce thought grimly. This girl… she blew up the bridge, the council chamber. This girl… killed Viktor.

Jaw tightening, Jayce tapped the green button.

“Hey, wonder boy! How goes it?”

Jayce blinked, still foggy from sleep. “What…?”

“Is Twink Jesus around?”

“What?”

“Twink Jesus! You know, long hair, pretty face—you married him?”

“…Viktor?”

“Duhhhhh. Twink Jesus. He’s ghosting me! I need his help with a project, and he’s been ignoring me alllll day!”

Jayce rubbed a hand over his face. “I…what?”

“Oooh my goooood. Can you just hand him the phone, or what? Did he kick you out again for being an asshole, asshole?”

“You’re the one calling someone at 6:30 in the morning, and I’m the asshole?” Jayce muttered. He was already contemplating throwing the phone across the room.

“Oh, shit, is it? Man, I thought it was still today—yesterday—shit, I should probably go to sleep soon.”

Next to him, Viktor stirred, groaning again as he shifted onto his back. “Jayce, what is happening?” he croaked, voice raspy with sleep.

Jayce turned and placed the phone against Viktor’s ear, leaning over him. “It’s for you,” he mumbled.

“Hello?” Viktor’s voice cracked, groggy and annoyed.

“Hey! Twink Jesus! Thank god. You left me talking to your lover-boy for waaay too long,” Powder—Jinx—grumbled.

“Powder?”

“That’s Jinx to you now, buddy! Why the fuck are you ignoring me, huh? What if it was an emergency? I could’ve been dying!”

“Hmm, it’s Powder when you wake me up this early in the morning for nonsense,” Viktor deadpanned.

“Nonsense? The only nonsense here is your haircut—or lack thereof.”

“I recall you saying something about needing me. This doesn’t sound like someone begging for assistance. I might have to pass this back to my lover-boy, and he can help you.”

Jayce shifted closer, draping himself over Viktor and nuzzling into the crook of his neck. “Nope. Lover-boy is currently occupied doing lover-boy things,” he murmured, voice muffled against Viktor’s skin.

“Eugh, disgusting. Stop being so damn gay for each other. You two are worse than my dads!” Jinx groaned.

“Tik tok, Powder.”

“Fine, god. You’re no fun.”

“I know. It’s part of my charm.”

Jinx huffed. “I’m stumped. Blocked up. Can’t figure out the damn math, and I’ve gone over it a thousand times! It just won’t compute. And Ekko is working on his own thing and won’t help me! I need my sexy twink genius to fix it. Fix everything! Give me the edge!”

Viktor sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Is that me? Am I the sexy twink genius?”

“Of course! Who else? Come on, come on, come on! Help me teleport things with quantum mechanics! You know you want too!”

That woke Viktor up. He took a deep inhale, pushing himself up into a seated position and slipping out of Jayce’s grasp. Jayce groaned in disappointment, wrapping his arms around Viktor’s waist to try and pull him back down.

“Teleport?” Viktor asked, suddenly more alert.

“Yes! I moved onto the teleportation system. Totally gave up on the data transfer. Figured, go big or go home, right? If I’m gonna fail, might as well fail doing the really cool thing!”

“If you plan to fail, why are you calling me?”

“To cheat!”

Viktor sighed again, leaning back against the headboard. “Hmm. What is this for, beyond scientific inquiry?”

“Oh my god. It’s my thesis! The one I’ve been working on all year! Duh. I’ll source you and everything if you’re worried about the ethics thing. I hate when you’re the ethics police. It’s only cute when you do it to your husband.”

Viktor laid back down, rolling to face Jayce again. He pressed a soft kiss to Jayce’s lips, and Jayce smiled even though his eyes were already closed, like he’d drifted back to sleep.

“There is the… eh, the party on Friday, yes?” Viktor murmured. “You bring your research then. We will go over it on Saturday.”

“Oh, oh, oh! Can Isha and I spend the night? You’ll let us crash in the guest room, right? Ekko won’t mind. He digs having the place to himself. We can do science all day and have a sleepover on Saturday night! Paint our nails and shit. She wants to dye her hair blue like mine. We can do yours too!”

Viktor frowned. “Mmm, so you want to sleep over both nights?”

“Yeah.”

“Isha?”

“Yeah.”

That clarified nothing, but Jayce was mouthing “no” and shaking his head. Feeling devious, Viktor shrugged. “Fine. But I’m not dying my hair blue.”

Jayce’s eyes flew open, and he mouthed what?!

“You’re no fun! Pink?”

“I won’t be dying my hair at all.” Viktor smirked as Jayce silently mouthed, You will not dye your hair.

“On second thought… my lover-boy is saying no, so I might consider it.”

Jayce grabbed the phone, glaring at it. “There will be no dyeing of my husband’s hair, Jinx—Powder—whatever your name is!” Then, with a flourish, he ended the call and tossed the phone back onto the nightstand.

Viktor chuckled softly. “You are very dramatic.”

“And you’re a menace.” Jayce tugged Viktor back into his arms. “No more 6:30 a.m. wake-up calls from crazy blue-haired terrorists.”

“We’ll see,” Viktor said, settling into Jayce’s warmth.

“Don’t ‘we’ll see’ me.” Jayce groaned, already half-asleep again.

Viktor fell back into a formless nothing. Not quite fully asleep but not awake either. Hovering on the edge of both. Viktor stirred, acutely aware of Jayce nestled against him, the warmth of his body seeping through their shared blankets. They must have shifted places in that nothingness—now Jayce was spooned around him, his nose buried in Viktor’s neck, breath slow and steady. Viktor sighed softly, content for a moment, until Jayce started pressing soft kisses against the sensitive skin behind his ear. Jayce’s nose brushed the back of Viktor’s neck, soft kisses feather-light. A low hum escaped him as Jayce tightened his arm around Viktor’s waist, pulling him closer.

He could feel Jayce’s hard cock insistent on his lower back. The man’s thighs pressed tightly to the back of his own, knees nestled perfectly behind his.

“Jayce,” Viktor muttered, a hint of warning in his voice, though it lacked any real bite.

“Mhm?” Jayce’s voice was low, lazy, and laced with amusement. His hand splayed across Viktor’s waist, “Is that a no?”

Viktor groaned softly. “No… not exactly.”

Jayce chuckled, propping himself up on one elbow to look down at him, his grin boyish and far too pleased with himself. “That’s pretty vague, V. Gunna need something more solid to go on here.”

Viktor rolled onto his back, meeting Jayce’s gaze with a dry look. “I suppose it’s a yes,” he said, deliberately dragging the word out. He shifted, draping his leg over Jayce’s hips and looping his arms around Jayce’s neck.

“Suppose? Still kind of unclear,” Jayce teased, resting a hand on Viktor’s thigh. “I mean, what if I misinterpret? Could be dangerous.”

Viktor arched a brow, leaning in until their noses brushed. “How much clearer do you need me to be, hm?” His voice was soft, the words dipping into his natural cadence, accented and smooth.

Jayce grinned, nuzzling into Viktor’s cheek. “I dunno. Maybe a neon sign? Big flashing letters. ‘Yes, Jayce, take me now.’”

Viktor snorted, biting back a laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re stalling,” Jayce countered, pressing a lingering kiss to Viktor’s lips, slow and deliberate. He pulled back just enough to murmur, “Come on. Just say it. You love telling me no, don’t you?”

Viktor smirked but didn’t pull away. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you love me for it,” Jayce shot back, dropping another kiss on Viktor’s forehead. “Admit it.”

Viktor shook his head, though his smile softened. “Fine. I suppose I do.”

Viktor idly let his fingers trace over Jayce’s skin. Walking along his shoulders and chest.

“Suppose again,” Jayce grinned. “Not exactly the ringing endorsement I was hoping for, but I’ll take it.”

Their lips came together again, slow and languid. The slightly sour taste of morning breath. His fingers idly played with the hair at the nape of Jayce’s neck. They kissed like there was all the time in the world, not a hint of rush at all. Eventually, Jayce broke away, his lips brushing Viktors as he spoke.

“So,” Jayce said as he nuzzled his nose across Viktor’s face to his neck, kissing it softly. “First order of business today is finding out what’s wrong with you, second is picking up your stuff from the school.”

Viktor sighed softly as Jayce’s mouth trailed along his neck, moving lower, pressing warm, open-mouthed kisses down to his chest. Viktor’s body responded, tension building despite the slight ache left from their previous night. Jayce’s hands roamed, sliding down Viktor’s sides and to his backside, squeezing gently. Viktor gasped, still tender from their activities yesterday.

"Jayce," Viktor muttered, his breath catching. "What is your... hmm... position on trying it the other way?"

Jayce paused, lifting his head and pulling back slightly, a puzzled look crossing his face. "What other way?"

Viktor raised an eyebrow, his eyes playful, "Me inside you."

Jayce’s eyes widened, he blinked, and for a moment, it looked like the thought had never even crossed his mind.

"Oh," Jayce finally said, his voice soft but laced with curiosity. "Is that your preference?"

Viktor smirked, but the smile become softer when he explained, "No. It’s just... after yesterday...Eehh" He swayed his head back and forth with a little shrug.

"Oh!" Jayce’s expression shifted immediately to one of concern. "I’m sorry! I didn't... I didn’t mean—"

Viktor chuckled, his hand gently cupping Jayce’s cheek. "Well, is it something that you’re willing to try?"

Jayce hesitated, visibly struggling with the idea. Then, with a deep breath, he nodded. "Yeah... let’s do it."

Viktor’s lips curled into a grin. "You should shower first."

Jayce perked up at the suggestion, his eyes lighting up mischievously. "I’m down to do it in the shower."

Viktor raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I’m not sure if that will be the most comfortable for you."

Jayce’s grin widened. "We can try it. We can see."

Viktor shook his head, chuckling as he sat up. "Alright, then. So... where did you get the oil from?"

Jayce shifted, "Oh, it’s in the top drawer of the nightstand."

Viktor leaned over Jayce’s body, laying across him, opening the drawer. His eyes widened when they landed on the contents. "Well," he murmured, pulling out a string of ben-wa balls. "Looks like the other versions of us have a really good time."

Jayce blinked, clearly puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Viktor laughed softly, his fingers running over the smooth string of beads before he tossed them back into the drawer. "I’ll teach you," he said with a wink.

Jayce raised an eyebrow but said nothing, nodding instead. Viktor then gave him a little nudge. "Go get in the shower and clean up."

Jayce hesitated, giving Viktor an amused glance. "What do you mean, aren’t you coming with me?"

Viktor rolled his eyes slightly, his head swiveling in the direction of Jayce’s backside with an amused look. "You know exactly what I mean. I’ll join you when you’re ready."

“Oh!”

Jayce rolled out of bed with a playful smile, stretching his limbs as he made his way toward the bathroom naked. Viktor watched him go, propping himself up on his elbow as Jayce disappeared behind the wall. For a few moments, Viktor laid there, the room still and quiet except for the faint sound of water running. He could hear the soft rustle of Jayce moving around, the splashes as he stepped into the shower. Viktor’s eyes fluttered shut for a second as he listened, his thoughts wandering lazily. His thoughts pulled to the edge of a dream he couldn’t quite remember.

Jayce began humming softly, the sound echoing off the tiled walls of the bathroom. Viktor smiled faintly, imagining what Jayce was doing. After a few minutes, there was a shift. A quiet groan and a gasp. Hmmm, seemed it was about time.

Viktor swung his legs over the side of the bed, standing up and stretching his shoulders. The warm humid air from the bathroom drifted into the room farther emphasizing the how strange it was that there wasn’t a door.

Viktor opened the nightstand again and picked one of the bottles. He didn’t care to examine all their labels, he was sure they all did the same thing. This world had so many options.

Viktor entered, for a moment watching Jayce through the glass walls as he held the handheld shower head to his backside. The overhead was on as well, raining down of Jayce from above. Steam filling the room and making the image hazy. Viktor cleared his throat, so Jayce was aware of his presence and the other man turned slightly his face splitting in a grin. He put the handheld back in its holder and turned the lever to end its spray.

“I’m pretty sure I’m ready.”

“Pretty sure?” Viktor said as he approached the wet room. Opening the glass door and entering. Placing the bottle on one of the inlaid shelves full of soaps and conditioners.

“Definitely.”

Viktor’s hands immediately reached for Jayce, drawing him into a kiss as the water cascaded around them. The affection was slow at first, the heat between them building as they shared touches, kisses.

Viktor’s hand slid over Jayce’s back as they came together, his lips trailing down Jayce’s neck. Their bodies moved in sync. Jayce was so broad, there was so much to feel, to touch. He had a hard time finding a spot to rest his hands before wanted to feel something else. The defined muscles of his back to his hard abdomen.

The water rained down on them, warm and soothing as steam curled around their bodies. Viktor gently guided Jayce to turn around. Viktor's lips trailed along the broad expanse of Jayce's shoulders, his hands following the path of droplets as they traced over firm muscles. He pressed gentle, lingering kisses down Jayce's spine, savoring the way Jayce shivered beneath each touch.

Jayce let out a low, pleased hum, shifting forward slightly. His forearms braced against the shower wall, head tilted down as the water cascaded over him.

“Comfortable?” Viktor asked, voice soft but teasing as his hands skimmed lower, following the curve of Jayce’s hips. Running over his round defined ass.

Jayce chuckled, glancing over his shoulder. “Comfortable enough, though I feel like I’m on display here.” His voice was warm, full of affection.

“Well,” Viktor murmured, pressing a kiss between Jayce’s shoulder blades, “I do enjoy the view.” His hands squeezed Jayce’s hips, his thumbs brushing over the indentations there. “So strong, yet so pliant.”

“Pliant, huh?” Jayce huffed a laugh, shifting slightly under Viktor’s hands. “Not a word I hear often.”

“It suits you,” Viktor replied, letting his nails lightly graze over Jayce’s skin. He leaned forward, resting his forehead briefly against Jayce’s back, breathing him in. “You always give so much, Jayce. You’re always so open.” His voice dropped, filled with admiration. “With me especially.”

Jayce relaxed further, his body arching into Viktor’s touch. “Only for you, now” he said, his voice soft but sincere. “Always for you.”

Viktor placed a final kiss at the base of Jayce’s neck before straightening. He reached for the lubricant, uncapping it with a familiar ease. His hands warmed the slick substance before smoothly pressing his fingers against Jayce’s entrance. Massaging his hole gently.

“Tell me if it’s too much,” Viktor murmured

Jayce’s breath hitched, but he nodded. “I trust you.”

Viktor smiled at that, leaning in to press another kiss to Jayce’s shoulder. “Good.” His fingers moved slowly, carefully, only one at first. Moving slowly and deliberately he worked his index finger in. Jayce grunted softly, his body tensing slightly as he adjusted to the sensation.

“Are you okay?” Viktor asked.

Jayce exhaled a shaky breath. “Yes?” It came out more as a question than an answer.

Viktor chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to Jayce’s shoulder blade. “Just relax. Let me know if anything feels off.”

As he started to move his finger in slow, careful motions, Viktor tilted his head slightly. “Do you like it?”

Jayce shifted his weight, considering. “It’s... weird.”

Viktor paused, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Good-weird or bad-weird? How are we feeling?”

Jayce let out a low laugh, his forehead resting against the shower wall. “I don’t have an opinion yet.”

Viktor smirked, continuing his gentle movements, taking his time. The water ran down both their bodies, warm and soothing.  After a few minutes, Jayce’s breath evened out, a quiet hum of pleasure escaping him.

“I think you can add a second one,” Jayce murmured, his voice softer.

Viktor didn’t hesitate, adding his middle finger with care. He worked them in slowly, feeling the subtle resistance give way as Jayce relaxed further. Viktor’s fingers moving in and out with a steady rhythm, alternating between gentle scissoring motions to ease Jayce into the sensation. Jayce’s breaths became more labored, each exhale punctuated by a low groan. Viktor’s hand shifted, fingers curling as he searched for that one spot.

When he found it, Jayce gasped sharply, his forearm hitting the shower wall with a dull thud. His whole body shuddered, a deep, guttural noise escaping his throat.

“Ooh, we like it.” Viktor teased, voice playful but soft, pressing his fingers more firmly against that spot.

Jayce let out a broken whimper, his head dipping forward. “Uh-huh,” he breathed, voice wrecked and barely audible.

Viktor grinned, massaging the area with slow, deliberate strokes. Jayce’s whimpers grew louder, more desperate, each sound filled with need. His body trembled under Viktor’s touch, lost in the overwhelming pleasure.

“You’re doing so well,” Viktor murmured, his voice like a caress against Jayce’s skin. “Just let go, Jayce.”

Jayce's head lolled forward, resting against the shower wall as Viktor continued his careful exploration. His voice, strained and desperate, broke through the sound of the water. “Ugh, fuck, Viktor,” he groaned.

Viktor pressed a kiss to Jayce’s spine before adding a third finger. “You’re taking it so good,” he murmured. His hand moved with practiced ease, fingers scissoring briefly before finding that sensitive spot again.

Jayce let out a broken whimper, his hips pushing back instinctively. Viktor’s free hand reached around, wrapping firmly around Jayce’s length. Jayce had softened slightly, but the touch reignited the blood flow. Viktor stroked him slowly at first, teasing him back to full hardness before adding firm, fast tugs—twisting his wrist slightly around the head.

Jayce was a mess—vulnerable, open, and trembling under Viktor’s care. His muscles flexed, but there was no tension left in him, only surrender. Every sound he made was needy. He was whimpering like he did buried deep in Viktor the first time, mouth open, the sounds seemingly being dragged out of his throat by force.

“Yeah, V,” Jayce panted after a few moments, voice wrecked. “I think I’m good. I think we can go forward.”

Viktor pressed one last kiss to Jayce’s shoulder. “Okay,” he whispered, pulling his fingers out gently. He reached for the lube again, slicking his cock.

Jayce braced himself, spreading his legs a bit wider, shifting his weight in anticipation. Viktor guided himself to Jayce’s hole, his hands steady as he pressed forward slowly, deliberately. The stretch was intense but manageable, and Jayce groaned like a dying man, pressing his face against the cool wall, the sound reverberating off the tiled walls.

“Fuck, Jayce,” Viktor breathed, voice tight. He paused, letting Jayce adjust, before inching forward again.

Jayce’s knuckles whitened against the wall, his breathing ragged. “Keep going,” he rasped.

Viktor nodded even though Jayce couldn’t see him, pressing his front against Jayce’s back as he started to thrust. His pace was slow at first, almost reverent. The mobility bar on the wall became a necessary anchor, Viktor gripping it with his left hand while his right held Jayce’s hip. His bad leg trembled slightly but held steady with the support.

Each thrust drew new sounds from Jayce—grunts, groans, whimpers. Viktor’s free hand slid up Jayce’s firm body, wrapping around the other man’s throat with gentle pressure.

Jayce’s reaction was immediate, a strangled gasp escaping him as he pushed back into Viktor’s thrusts. “Fuck,” he whimpered, voice cracked and breathless.

“Do you like it?” Viktor whispered against his ear, tightening his grip just enough to be felt.

“Yeah,” Jayce choked out, his hips rocking in time with Viktor’s movements. “Don’t stop.”

Viktor didn’t. He pressed kisses to Jayce’s shoulders, biting gently between each one as his thrusts picked up speed. The pressure on Jayce’s throat remained firm but careful, enough to drive him wild without crossing any lines. It caused Jayce to arch his back father, his hips cocked out more and his head tipping back low to rest on Viktor’s shoulder. Knees bent and legs spread wide.

Jayce was a wreck, begging and pleading incoherently, his voice reduced to needy sounds. His Adam’s apple bobbing against Viktor’s palm. Viktor’s control faltered, his pace becoming erratic as he neared his peak. With one final, deep thrust, Viktor groaned low in his throat, finishing inside Jayce as his body trembled against him.

Jayce followed moments later, his own release crashing over him as Viktor’s hand moved to help him finish. His entire body shook, a strangled moan escaping as he rode out the pleasure. His muscles clenching around Viktor’s spend cock.

They stayed like that for a beat, catching their breath. Viktor pulled out slowly, steadying Jayce as he turned around.

Jayce’s face twisted into a mixture of surprise and amusement, lips curling into a lopsided smile. “Ooh. What the fuck?” He must be referring to the wet sliding sensation of cum dribbling down his insides. “That’s why you kept getting up to go to the bathroom.”

Viktor chuckled, leaning in to kiss the corner of Jayce’s mouth. “Yes.”

Jayce laughed, shaking his head. “Okay, yeah. That’s... a little weird.”

Viktor smirked, brushing wet strands of hair from Jayce’s forehead, and handing Jayce the hand held showerhead. “You’ll get used to it.”

Jayce grinned back, pulling Viktor into a kiss that was soft, lingering, and full of promise.

They finished their shower then. It was obvious whose soaps were whose, not that it mattered. Jayce reached for one of the dark, amber bottles from his collection—Aesop’s Reverence Aromatique body wash. Next to it was an entire row of Aesop products: Geranium Leaf body balm, Parsley Seed facial cleanser, and a “lightweight hydrating” serum. Even his shampoo and conditioner were from the same line. There were a pair of rough palmed gloves, and a water proof electric trimer next to a simple black Razor and shaving cream from the same brand. It all looked absurdly expensive.

Viktor’s products, by contrast, were simple. On a lower shelf, he had a single bottle of rose-scented body wash, matching shampoo, and conditioner, and a rough, textured towel that looked like it was made for exfoliating.

“Guess it’s pretty obvious which shelf is mine,” Viktor said with a raised brow, eyeing the neat row of high-end bottles above his own modest collection.

Jayce snorted, reaching for the bottle of body wash, and smirked. “So what? A little self-care never hurt anyone.” He poured a generous amount of soap into his palm, his hands spreading the lather thick. “There’s nothing vain about taking care of yourself.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow at him. “Uh-huh. Sure.” He glanced at the row of luxury products again. “I’m just saying, your counterpart seems a little... excessive.”

Jayce laughed as he moved closer, taking Viktor’s arm and running the soap over his skin. He made sure to work the lather in carefully, then cupped Viktor’s jaw, kissing him softly before moving down to his neck. "Call it excessive if you want. But I take pride in how I look." His eyes twinkled with playful mischief.

Viktor shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips. “Pride, huh? I guess that’s one way to put it.”

Jayce grinned against Viktor’s skin, kissing his shoulder. “You’re lucky to be in the presence of such refined taste, Viktor.”

Viktor snorted softly but leaned into the touch.

“You love it,” Jayce murmured, his voice teasing, as he lathered Viktor’s back. His hands moved with care as he continued their routine, feeling the smoothness of Viktor's skin under his fingertips.

When they finished rinsing off, Jayce passed Viktor a towel, stepping out first. Viktor followed close behind but stumbled slightly as he placed his foot down on the slick floor.

Jayce quickly reached out to steady him, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Easy," he said, catching Viktor’s arm.

Viktor swatted him away, a hint of irritation in his tone. "I'm fine, Jayce."

Jayce stepped looking sheepish, letting Viktor regain his balance. "Alright, alright. " He tossed a towel at Viktor’s head.

Viktor caught it, but he shot Jayce a playful glare. "No need to treat me like I'm about to collapse."

They stood side by side in front of the bathroom mirror, wrapped in towels, the foggy glass slowly clearing as the room cooled. Jayce grabbed a toothbrush, squeezing a line of toothpaste onto it before handing one to Viktor, who did the same. The quiet sound of brushing filled the space, their reflections moving in sync.

Jayce rinsed and spat, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. He caught sight of himself in the mirror, his gaze lingering on the short beard. He had kept his beard after he returned for the wild rune but that was mostly because his mind was on other things, and he wasn’t necessarily thinking about it, but he had always preferred s clean shaven face. He tilted his head, considering it. An electric razor rested on the counter nearby, tempting him.

Turning to Viktor, he asked, “What do you think? Should I keep the beard?”

Viktor didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

Jayce blinked, surprised by the quick response. “Well, that was fast.” He grinned. “Didn’t even think about it, huh?”

Viktor shrugged, a small, secret smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I really like the beard.”

Jayce chuckled softly. “Okay. Beard stays.” He turned back to the mirror, running a hand over his jaw. After a beat, he looked at Viktor again, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You know what I really like?”

Viktor raised an eyebrow, toothbrush still in his mouth. He pulled it out, rinsing before answering. “What?”

Jayce reached out, cupping the back of Viktor’s head gently, his fingers threading through the damp strands of Viktor’s hair. He combed through it slowly, savoring the soft, silky texture. “Your hair,” he murmured. “Long. You’re so goddamn beautiful, Viktor. When I saw you…” His voice softened, his eyes distant, as if reliving a memory. “Levitating up there, with your hair long like that, eyes closed like you were meditating—it felt like I was looking at something...”

Viktor reached up, resting his hand on Jayce’s wrist. “You don’t have to say it, Jayce.” His voice was gentle, steady. He offered a small, teasing smile. “So, you like the hair?”

Jayce swallowed hard, emotions rising unbidden. He nodded. “Yes. And you’re not allowed to dye it blue.”

Viktor huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “You’re not allowed to tell me what I cannot do with my alternate self’s body.”

Jayce raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. Fair point.”

“But,” Viktor added with a playful glint in his eyes, “I have no plans of dyeing it. If I did, though, you’d have to live with it.”

Jayce sighed dramatically, grinning as he leaned in to press a quick kiss to Viktor’s temple. “Guess I’d survive. Maybe.”

Viktor smirked. “You would.”

-------------

They dressed in quiet companionship, each moving through the space with ease. It was strange how easy it was to get used to being alive again. Being in this unfamiliar place as if they were born to it. Jayce pulled on a pair of dark jeans and a crisp, white button-down, rolling the sleeves to his elbows. He gave himself a once-over in the mirror.

Viktor, meanwhile, opted for a more tailored look. He slipped himself into the support belt he had on yesterday. Then into black slacks and a deep gray button-down. Over it, he pulled on a fitted vest, adjusting the buttons. It fit him like his clothes back in Piltover, it was strange what sort of things seemed to be universal and what things weren’t. Jayce couldn’t help but watch, his gaze lingering with open admiration.

“Stop staring, Jayce,” Viktor teased without looking up, his mouth twitching in amusement.

Jayce chuckled, unapologetic. “Can’t help it. You look good.”

Viktor shook his head, grabbing his cane as they made their way to the kitchen. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows. Viktor looked out onto the balcony and realized he should probably water those plants at some point today. He wasn’t sure when the last time his counterpart did it, but it would be a shame for all that work to go to waste. Possibly after they ate something.

“I’ll make coffee,” Viktor offered, moving to the kitchen to start the one things he seemed most comfortable doing.

“Perfect. I’ll handle the food.” Jayce opened a cabinet, searching for a frying pan but instead opening the spice cabinet. His hand paused, eyes catching on a small stack of pill bottles pushed to the side. Curious, he reached for them, pulling one down to read the label.

Another followed. Then another. Within moments, Jayce had lined up nearly ten different bottles on the counter, each one bearing Viktor’s name. His heart clenched, a knot forming in his stomach. Pirfenidone. Nintedanib. Gabapentin. Pregabalin. All the names completely foreign. He picked up a large pill organizer, labeled with the days of the week and divided into morning and night compartments, each one filled to capacity.

“Viktor…” Jayce’s voice was quiet, strained. He turned, holding up one of the bottles. “What are all these, do you know?”

Viktor glanced over, his expression unreadable. He didn’t rush to answer, instead focusing on the task of pouring their coffee. “Medication,” he said simply, setting the cups down.

Jayce huffed a dry laugh. “Yeah, I got that much. But this—” He gestured to the line of bottles. “It’s a lot. I….never saw you take anything after your diagnosis back…back home. This doesn’t seem like a lot to you?”

Viktor’s jaw tightened. “I’m sure there’s a reason, we are going to figure it out today, yes? No wonder Sky was concerned with the amount.”

There was a memory niggling in his mind. Unclear of its source and unfamiliar from his own life. A woman, honey and garlic, refusing treatment. It made him trust doctors… trust medication and Viktor knew it was from this life not his own. This Viktor trusted his physician, this Viktor trusted the medicine of this world.

Jayce crossed the room, placing a gentle hand on Viktor’s shoulder. “Why don’t we do that now? There must be answers around here somewhere.”

Viktor could feel the tension vibrating off Jayce. The man was looking around the open space as if those answers would just jump out and greet them.

“We are,” Viktor assured him, meeting Jayce’s gaze. “But first, let us eat something, hm? Then we will get my things from Sky. Then we’ll deal with the rest.”

Jayce hesitated, torn between pushing for more and respecting Viktor’s boundaries. He nodded slowly, exhaling a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Okay. But I don’t want to push it off until later, we will get your stuff and come right back here and figure this out….should you take all that today?”

Viktor looked at the pile of pill bottles and his separator.

“Bring it to me,” Viktor said softly.

Jayce gave a small, reassuring squeeze. “Alright.”

Jayce handed the large plastic thing to him. Monday was empty. Tuesday morning was empty, but Tuesday evening was still full. Viktor wasn’t sure if it would affect him, skipping a dose of what looked like 6 different pills.

“Tuesday night,” Jayce said softly, nodding toward the organizer. “You didn’t take them. I didn’t even think…”

Viktor’s lips quirked. “I see that. Jayce, how were you supposed to know? I didn’t think of it either.”

Jayce frowned, concern deepening. “Is that…bad?”

Viktor exhaled slowly. “Missing a dose is probably not ideal, but I’m sure it happens. It will be fine.” He opened the Wednesday morning slot, examining the pills briefly before pouring them into his hand. “This is what matters now.”

Jayce passed him a glass of water. “You sure you’re okay? Maybe we should wait until we know what all of this is.”

“It is better to take them then not, I think. This body is used to it,” Viktor said, swallowing the pills one by one. His movements were careful, methodical, but Jayce didn’t miss the way Viktor’s jaw tightened after the last pill.

“We should call your doctor—find out who he is—and set an appointment,” Jayce suggested, placing a hand on Viktor’s back. “Even if we find everything we need to know here I just think—”

“We will,” Viktor interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. “After we get my things from Sky we will find what we need to find here, and I am sure we will find who my doctor is. This…” He gestured at himself, “…can wait a little longer. It’s not going away.”

Jayce hesitated, searching Viktor’s face for any sign that he should push harder. But Viktor’s expression remained calm, resolute.

“Alright,” Jayce relented.

Viktor offered a small, tired smile.

Jayce’s hand lingered on Viktor’s back for a moment longer before he nodded. “Okay. Let’s eat.”

-------------

Jayce pulled the car into the school’s small parking lot with ease, so different from the stiff, jerky movements Viktor remembered from before. It wasn’t lost on him how comfortable Jayce seemed behind the wheel now, one hand relaxed on the gearshift, the other tapping absently on the steering wheel. He wondered if the longer they were here…the more they absorbed their alternate’s consciousness. He could feel it in himself, his ease with falling into this life seemed odd. It was too big a thing to contemplate now.

“You’ve gotten better at this,” Viktor mused, unbuckling his seatbelt.

Jayce grinned. “It not so hard to get the hang of. Maybe you could try it?”

Viktor gave him a pointed look, “I’ll pass,” he shifted in his seat and sighed. “You sure you don’t want to come in with me?”

“I’m sure, I don’t want Sky to scold me for not taking you to the hospital yesterday. She was kind of scary,” Jayce shrugged looking sheepish.

“Coward.” Viktor replied, smirking.

Jayce chuckled but didn’t argue.

Viktor nodded and stepped out of the car, the cool morning air brushing against his skin as he made his way to the door. The girl at the front desk perked up as soon as Viktor entered. Her face lit up with recognition and concern.

“Hi, Vik! Gosh, how are you doing? I heard you had a seizure in your classroom yesterday!” Her voice lowered, conspiratorial. “You’re not here to work, are you? You should be at home!”

Taken aback by the familiarity, Viktor forced a polite smile. “No, just visiting Sky. I forgot some things.”

“Oh, good.” She nodded, relieved. “I hope you feel better soon! I hope it’s not serious.”

Viktor gave a noncommittal hum and moved past her desk. He tried to remember the way to Sky’s office. He had been too out of it to pay much attention yesterday, the corridors blending into a blur of beige walls and fluorescent lighting. His steps slowed as he passed a familiar set of doors, a sharp left, then another right—yes, there it was, the door marked with NURSE in bold, block letters.

He knocked lightly and stepped inside, finding Sky occupied with a young student. She glanced up briefly, giving him a nod before gesturing for him to sit. Viktor complied, watching as she scribbled a note for the student. Her movements were swift, practiced, and efficient. The student took the note with a grateful smile and hurried out the opposite door into what looked like a large hall filled with metal lockers.

“So,” Sky began, turning her full attention to Viktor, “I’m guessing you don’t have a doctor’s note for me.”

Viktor shrugged, “Will it make you feel better that Jayce is insisting we make an appointment with my specialist?”

Sky smirked, leaning back in her chair. “It’s something. I knew you were going to beat him down and he’d cave. You’ve got that man wrapped around your finger… or at least terrified you might leave his ass.”

Viktor blinked, surprised but keeping his face neutral. “I… don’t think he has to worry about that.”

Sky raised an eyebrow. “You sure? You two have had me nervous lately. I know you started here because of that big betrayal thing with his company,” She waved her hand around vaguely, “but you both seemed so goddamn in love. It’s been pretty heartbreaking watching it all seem to crumble apart this past couple of months.”

“Terminal illness is a hard thing to bridge.”

Sky sighed, “It may not be… I don’t know, Vik. I know I’m not a doctor—definitely not a specialist—and I know you don’t want to get a second—or third, or fourth—opinion, and don’t bite my head off, but Jayce may not be wrong about that. This doctor’s got you on some pretty experimental stuff, I know you like it because it means he’s trying to do more than the norm, thinking outside the box, but….”

“But?”

“But just because he is indulging that part of you that loves to push the limits of what is known—discovery—I don’t love that it’s your body on the line.”

They locked eyes for a moment, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Viktor finally broke the silence with a wry smile. “Where are my things, if you’re going to be on me like this?”

Sky snorted. “I should keep your keys so you can’t drive that damn bike home. I was hoping some hooligan would steal it out of the parking lot last night.”

Viktor frowned slightly, unsure what kind of “bike” she meant. He opted to play along, tilting his head in mock curiosity. “A shame. I’m quite attached to it.”

Sky rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.” She opened a drawer and pulled out a similar satchel to the one Jayce had, handing it to him.

Viktor accepted the bag with a nod. “Thank you.” As he slung the strap over his shoulder, a thought surfaced. “Caitlyn and Vi are hosting something at our place on Friday. You should come.”

Sky’s eyebrows rose. “Appreciate the invite, but I’ve got plans. Hot date.”

Viktor tilted his head, curiosity piqued. “With who?”

Sky grinned, leaning in conspiratorially. “The Tinder mechanic.”

Viktor blinked, clearly missing the reference but tried to play along as if he did, “We… still like him?”

Sky chuckled. “He’s simple,” she admitted with a shrug, before dropping her voice to a whisper. “Super good in bed. Like, wow.”

A smirk tugged at Viktor’s lips. He enjoyed this easy friendship that he seemed to have with Sky in this life. He didn’t think he has ever had someone to talk to like this. He wanted to explore it more and decided to give his own anecdote, “Jayce kept me in bed all day yesterday,” he said, his voice low and teasing.

Sky’s jaw dropped in mock shock. “Oh yeah? So all it took was a little seizure to get you two back in the bedroom?”

Viktor chuckled softly. “And the shower this morning.”

Sky gasped, pointing at him dramatically. “You dog!”

Their laughter was interrupted by the door creaking open. It wasn’t a student but a tall, muscular, dark-skinned woman. Her sharp eyes swept the room before landing on Viktor. “What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t you call out for the week? I saw your man’s car outside and figured I’d find you in here.”

Sky grinned. “Sevika! Relax, he’s just picking up his bag. Left it yesterday.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow. He didn’t recognize her, but he figured not everyone in this world would be a reflection of someone he knew in his previous life, “Is it a crime that he waits for me?”

Sevika’s stern expression softened into a grin as she gave Viktor a firm pat on the shoulder. “Glad you’re all right. I don’t like worrying about you, you skinny little invalid. Get better. I’m having to take over your little chess club this Friday—you’re welcome, by the way. Silco apparently had plans. Plans my ass—he just doesn’t want to give up his Friday afternoon.”

The name Silco rang a bell, but Viktor was having a hard time focusing on one thing at a time, this woman came in like a whirlwind.

Viktor’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I hope the children are prepared.”

“Don’t be an asshole,” Sevika shot back with a wink. “Well, I gotta go. Class in five. Let’s all do lunch Monday.” With that, she nodded at Sky and Viktor and slipped out the door.

Sky watched her go, then turned back to Viktor. “Sorry I can’t come to the party.”

“It’s okay, Sky,” Viktor said, his tone genuine, “I suppose I shouldn’t leave Jayce waiting too long.”

Sky gave Viktor a playful shrug. “I’m surprised he’s waiting outside. Let me guess—he doesn’t want you driving your bike, either?”

Viktor raised a brow, amused. “Something like that.”

“Well, at least someone’s trying to keep you in one piece. Go on, before he bursts in here to carry you out.”

Viktor chuckled softly. “See you Monday, Sky.”

“Lunch is on you,” she quipped, waving him off.

Viktor nodded and made his way back through the hallways, following his footsteps back to the office, he nodded once at the hyper receptionist before making his way back outside. Viktor made his way to the idling car and tapped his cane against the window, making Jayce startle slightly before rolling it down.

“I, apparently, have a ‘bike,’” Viktor announced, lips quirking in bemusement.

Jayce arched a brow, looking him over. “You can ride a bike? With… well…”

“I do not think it is that kind of bike,” Viktor replied dryly.

Jayce hesitated for a beat before turning the engine off and stepping out of the car. Together, they wandered through the parking lot until they reached a sleek black motorcycle parked near the edge. The machine gleamed under the sunlight, black on black. A helmet rested neatly on the seat.

Viktor’s eyes widened slightly, impressed. “Huh.”

Jayce looked nervous, “This is yours?”

“Evidently,” Viktor was already pulling open his satchel. He found a set of keys and dangled them triumphantly before slipping them into the ignition. The motorcycle roared to life, purring like a beast waiting to be unleashed.

“You sure that’s safe?” Jayce asked, concern lacing his voice.

Viktor was already donning the helmet. Pulling it over his head, it made everything sound muffled. He handed his cane to Jayce before replying, “Of course not.”

Jayce sighed but couldn’t help the fond smile tugging at his lips. “All right, but I’m following you home.”

Viktor swung his leg over the machine, the leather seat cool against him as he settled in. The moment he relaxed the whole thing vibrated through him. The sensation was visceral—exhilarating. He gripped the handlebars, feeling their weight, their responsiveness. It was strange, as though his body already knew what to do. He flipped up the kick stand and used his left leg to roll himself out of the spot.

He twisted the throttle, and the bike growled eagerly. A rush of adrenaline spiked through his veins. Viktor took a deep breath, steadying himself. He had never driven anything before let alone a machine like this, yet everything felt oddly familiar. His muscles seemed to remember something his mind couldn’t place. With a tentative release of the clutch, the bike rolled forward. The pavement hummed beneath the tires as he navigated slowly through the lot. Viktor’s lips quirked into a grin within the dark helmet. The power of the machine thrummed through him, each twist of the throttle sending a surge of energy up his spine.

The first turn was hesitant, a calculated lean as he tested the weight of the bike. It responded smoothly, almost like an extension of himself. He eased out onto the main road, the world blurred slightly as he picked up speed, the scenery streaking past. The rumble between his legs was intoxicating, the control he wielded over the powerful engine beneath him  was thrilling. Viktor leaned into another turn, the motion fluid, instinctual. The wind whipped around him, tugging at his clothes, but he felt free—unburdened in a way he hadn’t in a long time.

Each gear shift was seamless, like a well-practiced dance he didn’t know he’d learned. The roar of the engine drowned out everything else. Viktor felt the corners of his mouth twitch into a broader smile. It was risky, reckless even, but he couldn’t help himself. He had no idea where he was going but he was letting his body lead the way.

In the rearview mirror, he caught a glimpse of Jayce’s car trailing behind him. Viktor chuckled softly to himself. Of course Jayce was worried. He could practically feel the man’s stress radiating behind him. But right now? Right now, Viktor felt alive.

He gunned the throttle, the bike surging forward. The landscape blurred, and for a moment, it was just him and the machine, carving a path through the world.

-------------

“I hated that,” Jayce muttered as they parked in their respective spaces in the garage. He climbed out of the car, slamming the door with a little more force than necessary.

Viktor pulled off his helmet, running a hand through his hair to fluff it back into place. “That might be something you have to endure, Jayce.” His voice was light and teasing, lips quirking as he accepted his cane.

Jayce sighed and fell into step beside him. “I nearly had a heart attack, you know. Watching you on that thing. It’s not like the car. What if you fell off?”

Viktor rolled his eyes as they walked toward the elevator. “I wasn’t going to fall off. It was surprisingly easy to pick up. Much like your driving.”

“Yeah, but it wasn’t that easy! I’ve just done it a couple times now. That was your first time on that thing. I don’t like it.”

They stepped into the elevator, and Viktor pressed the button for their floor. His expression remained calm, though there was a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “It’s a good thing I don’t make my decisions based on what you like or don’t like.”

Jayce groaned, throwing his head back against the wall. “You know what. Fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest but couldn’t keep the smile off his face, “This feels good.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow. “What feels good, exactly? You trying to control me?”

“What? No!” Jayce’s eyes widened, hands lifting defensively. “I just meant this.” He gestured between them as the elevator chimed, signaling their floor. “Us. Bickering like we used to. You refusing to leave the lab or forgetting to eat, me not announcing the gemstone, you know… like old times.”

Viktor paused as they stepped out, genuinely caught off guard by the warmth in Jayce’s voice. The sincerity etched on Jayce’s face was disarming.

“I suppose,” Viktor mused, his voice softer now. “It is how we’ve always been.”

Jayce grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Yeah. I like it. Feels good.”

Viktor went to gently whack at Jayce’s ankle with his cane, but the other man danced away laughing before he could make contact.

They entered the apartment, the door clicking shut behind them. Jayce immediately kicked off his shoes, placing them haphazardly near the door. Viktor followed suit, hanging up his satchel on the hook by the entrance.

The moment their bags were in place, Jayce turned, an unusual seriousness crossing his features. “Okay. First things first—your medical documents. Let’s find those.”

Viktor hesitated, rifling through his bag. His hand emerged with his phone, which he held out to Jayce. “We could start with this. It might contain more immediate answers.”

Jayce shook his head, determination firm in his gaze. “No, Viktor. Medical stuff first.”

There was a flicker of something—reluctance, maybe even discomfort—in Viktor’s eyes, but he nodded. “Fine. My study, then.”

The study was small but meticulously organized. Dominating one wall was a massive blackboard, its surface layered with a chaotic tapestry of equations and annotations. An intricate, hand-drawn diagram of human lungs took center stage, surrounded by arrows and notes detailing possible treatments. Scattered across the board were chemical formulas interspersed with lists of herbs and their properties. Words like vapor inhalation and smoke therapy were underlined multiple times. Adjacent to these were references to teas and tinctures, each accompanied by notes on their historical uses for respiratory health.

Near the bottom, several lines were aggressively crossed out, the word FAILED written in bold, red letters beside them. The implications were unsettling—especially the mention of toxic plants and mushrooms in a few of the rejected formulas.

At the back of the room, a pristine chemistry setup gleamed under the soft light, eerily untouched. Everything was neatly arranged, ready for use, but no experiments were currently in progress.

Jayce sighed, flipping through the papers on the desk with a furrowed brow. “All this is school stuff. Lesson plans, grading assignments, student rosters...”

Viktor hummed and moved around the desk to sit at the chair there. He tugging open drawers on the left side of the desk. His cane rested against his chair, and each drawer creaked slightly as he searched. When he reached the one on the bottom, he gave it a tug—and frowned.

Locked. He gave it another tug for good measure. His eyes swept over the desk, searching for a key. Nothing.

Jayce glanced up from the papers. “Locked? What’s in there I wonder?” His voice was teasing.

“Nothing we can access right now,” Viktor said evenly, moving on. He tucked the knowledge in the back of his mind. He would have to come back in here and break into the drawer perhaps or find the key. He didn’t know why but he had a feeling he should do that on his own, without Jayce present.

He slid open a drawer on the right side, already slightly ajar. Inside was a neat stack of documents. His fingers paused over them, eyes scanning the labels. “Medical records,” he murmured, pulling them out.

Jayce perked up. “Finally.” He took the stack, grinning triumphantly. “Let’s look through these in the living room.”

They moved to the other room. Viktor took the two files from the top and Jayce started going through the others.

Jayce settled into the down cushions of the couch, flipping open the first folder. His eyes scanned the neat, clinical handwriting, occasionally pausing on key details. The top sheet was a radiology report—black-and-white images of a spinal curvature highlighted with measurements and notations. He frowned, reading the summary aloud under his breath.

Patient: Viktor Talis
Date of Examination: May 14, 2024
Diagnosis: Thoracolumbar scoliosis
Degree of curvature: 38 degrees
Recommendation: Surgical correction via spinal fusion to prevent further progression and alleviate chronic pain.

Jayce glanced up briefly at Viktor, who was quietly absorbed in his own file, before turning back to the report. The next page was an orthopedic consultation note.

Subjective: Patient reports worsening lower back pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
Objective: Increased curvature since last evaluation. Palpable muscle tension along lumbar spine.
Plan: Recommend surgical correction. Patient expresses concern about risks and recovery time. Non-surgical management (physical therapy, bracing) discussed.

Jayce thumbed to the next section—neurology.

Patient: Viktor Talis
Date of Evaluation: November 3, 2024
Diagnosis: Peripheral neuropathy secondary to spinal curvature and nerve compression.
Symptoms: Numbness and tingling in lower extremities, occasional sharp pain radiating down right leg.
Treatment Plan:

• Prescriptions:
• Gabapentin, 300 mg BID (twice daily).
• Diclofenac gel, PRN (as needed) for localized pain.
• Recommendations: Continued physical therapy, pain management consult. Follow-up in six months.

Jayce rubbed the back of his neck, eyes narrowing as he flipped through the next few pages, all variations of the same theme—chronic pain, mobility issues, increasing severity. Reports on his leg and on his spine. Various prescriptions. His heart clenched at the sheer number of follow-ups and unheeded recommendations for surgery.

"Looks like they wanted to do a spinal fusion," he murmured, mostly to himself. "Nerve damage, too... They’ve got you on meds for it. I guess you—or, well, he—didn’t go through with the surgery."

Viktor gave a noncommittal hum, still engrossed in his own stack of papers.

Jayce moved to the next folder, glancing at a prescription summary when a subtle shift in Viktor's posture caught his attention. He was holding a document closer to his chest, eyes narrowed in concentration.

"What’s that?" Jayce asked, leaning forward.

“It’s nothing,” Viktor replied, voice calm but clipped.

Jayce’s brows drew together. “Come on, V. We’re supposed to be figuring this out.” He reached out, gently tugging the paper from Viktor’s grasp before he could protest.

Jayce’s eyes landed on the letterhead: Pulmonary Clinic - Dr. Reveck.

Patient: Viktor Talis
Date of Diagnosis: August 7, 2025
Primary Diagnosis: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Family History: Maternal history of interstitial lung disease.
Symptoms: Persistent dry cough, shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue.
Diagnostic Imaging: High-resolution CT confirms bilateral pulmonary fibrosis with honeycombing pattern.
Treatment Plan:

• Medications:
• Pirfenidone, 801 mg TID (three times daily).
• Nintedanib, 150 mg BID.
• Supplemental oxygen therapy as needed for exertion.
• Experimental Therapy: Enrolled in trial for anti-fibrotic agent (Reveck-02).
• Prognosis: Progressive disease. Estimated life expectancy: 3-5 years with current management.

Jayce’s breath hitched as he read, the words blurring together for a moment. Progressive. No cure. He flipped to another page, a follow-up note:

Subjective: Patient reports increased fatigue, occasional dizziness. Cough remains persistent.
Objective: Pulmonary function tests show slight decline.
Plan: Continue current regimen. Emphasize adherence to experimental protocol. Discuss palliative options if progression accelerates.

Jayce lowered the paper, his face pale. “Three to five years,” he muttered, voice hollow. “That’s...”

Viktor remained quiet, his gaze fixed on a spot on the floor.

Jayce clenched the paper tighter. “They’re doing... experimental treatments?” His tone was sharper now, “What kind of—” He stopped himself, exhaling slowly. “There’s no cure? Just... slowing it down?”

“Correct,” Viktor said softly. “It seems to be about management, prolonging life. Slowing the scarring.” His voice was clinical, detached—like reciting someone else’s fate.

Jayce’s jaw tightened. “This is... serious, V. We need to—”

“We will do what we can,” Viktor interrupted, his gaze finally lifting to meet Jayce’s. “But panic will not help.” His expression tempered, the edges of his usual stoicism faltering. “We have time. For now.”

Jayce scrubbed a hand over his face, his pulse pounding in his ears. It was almost worse the second time around. He had gone through this before but now… now, with this second chance, it felt crueler. There had been hope. A clean slate. And yet... why did it always have to be Viktor? The first words that managed to break through the ache in his throat were quiet, but firm:

“We need to set an appointment and talk to this doctor.” His voice hardened, sharpening like steel. “I don’t like that some of these treatments are experimental.”

Viktor tilted his head, eyes thoughtful but tired. He nodded, offering no resistance.

Jayce began to pace, the tension coiling tighter with each step. This was their second chance. He didn’t care about the souls they’d displaced—whether they belonged here or not was a question for another time. Right now, all he cared about was the man in front of him. Viktor was here. Alive. And Jayce didn’t plan on letting go of him. He wanted a full life with him. A life not tethered to illness, not haunted by the constant specter of death. His mind rebelled against the injustice of it all.

Why was there an older version of Viktor somewhere out there—some immortal god, untouched by time—while his Viktor was always dying? Why? It wasn’t fair. And he wasn’t going to allow it.

“If we don’t like what this doctor has to say,” Jayce bit out, voice rising, “we’ll find others. There have to be more. More doctors. Better treatments.”

Viktor watched him quietly before speaking. “You sound like your counterpart.”

Jayce blinked, thrown off. “What do you mean?”

“I read through our texts last night,” Viktor said, “On your phone. Months back. You wanted us to get a second opinion. Wanted to check if it was something called ‘cancer’ instead of this... IPF. I—” His gaze dropped. “I was refusing. Or my counterpart was.”

Jayce’s expression twisted with confusion and something close to betrayal. “Why didn’t you tell me? You said there was nothing interesting in there!”

Viktor paused, his silence stretching long enough that Jayce’s shoulders sagged. The fight left him in a rush, and he sat down hard on the couch, burying his face in his hands.

“I’m sorry, V.” His voice cracked, worn with guilt and frustration.

“It was fighting,” Viktor said softly. “Some answers, perhaps. But I did not want to dwell on it any longer.” He reached out, resting a hand on Jayce’s back, his touch warm. “Why don’t we go lie down? You can see them for yourself, hmm? I will look through my phone, too. We can make an appointment and go from there.”

Jayce didn’t move at first, but Viktor’s hand squeezed gently, and his lips brushed Jayce’s shoulder.

“It does not do to become overwhelmed by what cannot be changed, Jayce,” Viktor murmured. “Perhaps it is meant to be.”

Jayce lifted his head, eyes shadowed with grief and defiance. “I will never be comfortable with you dying, V.”

 “I do not expect you to.”

For a long moment, they simply sat there. Finally, Jayce nodded, lacing their fingers together. His grip was steady, determined.

“We’ll figure it out. Together.”

Viktor’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles, a fragile but genuine thing. “Together."

Chapter Text

“There are chords in the hearts of the most reckless which cannot be touched without emotion.”

 — Edgar Allan Poe

--------------

They were lying in bed, Viktor on his back and Jayce lying with his face pressed against his chest. Jayce was discovering their shared texts, and Viktor was going through his own phone. The picture that took up the background was generic. It was nothing of Jayce or himself, just colors weaving together. He had many notifications, namely from Powder, who was named “Pain in the Ass” as her contact. He only spent a small amount of time with her and Vi in their—his—previous life, and most of what he knew about them was from the memories he gained from his attempt to “cure” Vander. She had been a cheeky girl, but her childhood-self had been quite the little tinkerer. It seemed that both were the same in this life.

She had, in fact, been sending him messages all yesterday to ask for his assistance with her project. Her thesis. The quantum teleportation. Looking back at their conversations it seemed to range from her needing help with her work and sniping at each other. And much like Jayce and Vi, the occasional strange moving picture depicting humor.

He had a few missed calls, one from Caitlyn, one from a contact labeled “Principal Hardass,” and one from an unnamed string of numbers. Other than that he hadn’t had anything much. He looked through his messages with various people. Caitlyn, Vi, Sky—

He and Sky did indeed seem to have a rather close friendship. They talked about things that Viktor would have never spoken to anyone about. Relationship goods and bads, random musings, and the children they worked with. Reading through them, Viktor realized that, in his past life, he didn’t have any connections like that. Even Jayce. He had never told Jayce about his sexual relationships. He never would have. He kept most of his life private.

There was also how he treated Sky in their past life. He had ignored her. It hadn’t been his intention, but it had happened regardless. She had been helpful in the lab, a sweet girl, but he had paid her little to no mind. It wasn’t until her death that he saw her at all. She had cared so deeply for him, and he had barely noticed her. The guilt of it had been insurmountable, and it was one of the things that drove him away from Jayce after he had been revived from the Hexcore. Then he and Sky had been together in his body not unlike he was sharing this body now—though its manifestation was completely different. He could actually see and communicate with Sky’s consciousness at that time. She had been his companion keeping him tethered to his humanity, working together to create the commune. Yet, even then, their discussions had been purely scientific, musings on philosophy—how they wished to move forward with their community. She comforted him when he was overwhelmed with grief and pulled him out of his sulks, but he had not even then done the same for her. He had apologized, but that had not been enough.

Jayce occasionally made a scoffing sound, irritated by what he was reading.

“I can’t believe the other you wouldn’t want to go to another doctor. With all that stuff in their study—trying to make miracle cures—and he refused to get better healthcare?” Jayce shifted his body as if he couldn’t contain his irritation.

“Hm,” Viktor idly ran his fingers through Jayce’s hair, “Have you gotten to the top yet? Where they had a disagreement about this…me…doing a consultation?”

Jayce groaned, eyes narrowing at the screen. “I get it. You left Talis Tech because of the weapons. That doesn’t mean you should die because of it.” His voice cracked slightly at the end, betraying the weight of his emotions.

Viktor scratched his nails against Jayce’s scalp, trying to help soothe his mind. Seeing the grim details of the disease this body had was hard on Viktor, sure, but it was taking a harder hit on Jayce. Jayce who was having to know, again, that there was little to nothing he could do in the face of illness. Jayce, who did love all his imperfections, just wished they wouldn’t kill him. Viktor had come to terms with it once, resigned to a fate he could feel coming, though he desperately wanted to fight it. Or to at least leave his mark somewhere on the world so that his life wasn’t lost to obscurity. But he had come to terms with it just the same.

Jayce was having to fight that battle now, and he was not going to accept the terms. It made Viktor love him all the more. He didn’t want to die. He knew that his counterpart didn’t want to die, but his counterpart was more steadfast, it seemed, in what he was willing and unwilling to do, and Viktor could not fault him for it. There was something to be said, as well, about knowing death. He had been close to death his entire life, but he had died multiple times now, and in the final, last death…it had not been bad. It had not been frightening. It had been beautiful. He could wait for Jayce there if they were separated early, he knew he could.

“I do not think my counterpart wished to die, Jayce. Only that he wished to survive on his terms.” Viktor leaned down slightly to press a kiss to Jayce’s head.

Jayce shifted to look at him, “And you? You’re taking this pretty well, V. Better than me. What do you want to do?”

Viktor’s thumb smoothed over the furrowed lines on Jayce’s forehead, “I will do all in our power to make myself better, or at least last as long as possible. I will not deny anything. If you want to drag me to a thousand physicians, I will go gladly.”

Jayce’s body visibly relaxed, his head falling back against Viktor’s chest with a relieved sigh. “I was scared you’d agree with him. That you wouldn’t want to keep trying.”

Viktor chuckled, “Do you know me at all, Jayce? When have you known me to give up? Look what I did to our world in pursuit of life…of perfection…”

“That wasn’t you, V.”

“Yes it was, I was not manipulated. The Hexcore may not have allowed me to understand the full ramifications of my actions, but that was me, Jayce. That was my philosophy. My choices, my decisions. Me at my most desperate, me at my most horrid.”

“If that was you horrid, then none of us in this world are as good as you,” Jayce murmured.

Viktor almost laughed, a quiet huff of disbelief. “How do you mean?”

“The methods were misguided, the outcome disastrous, sure. But the intention… you wanted to help people. You didn’t set out to hurt anyone.”

“I hurt you, didn’t I?” Viktor’s voice dropped.

“I shot you through the chest with my Hex Hammer.”

“We both did nasty things to each other. I recall choking you multiple times.”

Jayce lifted his head, resting his chin on Viktor’s chest as he grinned. “I don’t think I actually mind that.”

Viktor smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You did like it a lot this morning.”

Jayce pressed a kiss to Viktor’s collarbone. “Do you like it?”

“Giving or receiving?”

“Both?”

“Giving only. I do not enjoy it on myself.”

Jayce pouted. “That seems rather one-sided.”

“Perhaps.”

Jayce shifted, kissing along Viktor’s chest, his lips brushing against a nipple, drawing a sharp intake of breath from Viktor. “You know,” Jayce whispered, his voice teasing, “I remember another thing from this morning.”

“Oh? And what is that?” Viktor asked. His voice was low, intrigued.

Jayce’s grin widened as he mouthed at Viktor’s skin, voice a soft rumble. “Something about teaching me what that stuff is in the drawer.”

Viktor chuckled, “You’re insatiable.”

--------------

Stars spread out before Jayce in an endless tangle. He was floating in the vastness of the cosmos that reminded him startlingly of what Viktor had seen before they died together, yet he was here alone. The void shimmered with distant galaxies, nebulae casting soft hues of purple and gold. Each breath felt weightless, every movement like wading through water.

No, there was another person here, a perfect reflection of himself.

Jayce blinked, disoriented, as his gaze settled on the figure. There were only slight differences. The beard was more trim and less wild, the hair freshly barbered, unlike his overgrown locks. This twin was the image of the body Jayce was inhabiting. The polished, well-kept version seemed to glow faintly, like a star given form.

The twin tilted his head, watching Jayce with eyes that held both curiosity and a weariness Jayce couldn’t place. It was eerie, looking into eyes that felt so familiar yet distinctly foreign.

“Yours loves you.”

The voice was calm, but there was something broken beneath it, a fissure just waiting to crack open.

“What?”

“Your Viktor. He loves you.”

“Yes.” Jayce’s voice was steady. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind. Viktor loved him.

“Mine stopped... I don’t know when…”

“No, I don’t think that’s true...” Jayce’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t reconcile that with the Viktor he knew—or any version of Viktor, really.

“Yes, it is,” the twin said with a slow, somber nod. “I could see it in his eyes. The disappointment. The resignation. The only reason he didn’t divorce me five years ago was because of that pre-nup he signed, I know it. It would have left him with nothing, and I let him think I would allow it to stand. I wouldn’t have. I would have given him everything.”

Jayce didn’t know how to feel about what this other him was saying. The words felt heavy like they were dragging him deeper into something he couldn’t yet grasp. He wasn’t following the conversation, not fully.

“Viktor loves us,” Jayce said softly, like a truth written into the cosmos themselves, “no matter what, no matter when, always and forever. And we love him too.”

The twin’s eyes flickered with something—regret, maybe. Or something more elusive. “I’m supposed to show you.”

“Show me what?”

“Everything.”

The other him jerked forward then, grabbing Jayce’s forearms with a grip that burned like starlight, searing and cold all at once. The universe shuddered around them, stars trembling as if in anticipation.

The abyss yawned open beneath them, a swirling maw of light and darkness. Jayce had just enough time to gasp before they were falling—falling into the void, falling into the unknown, tumbling through the fabric of reality itself.

Everything blurred into a kaleidoscope of light and shadows, memories and moments flashing just out of reach as they plummeted deeper and deeper still.

The kaleidoscope of stars fractured into shards of memory, reshaping themselves into a pristine, snow-drenched environment. The world around him solidified: tall pines stood like sentinels, their branches heavy with fresh snow. The sky was a vast canvas of pale gray, clouds thick and unmoving. A sharp wind howled through the mountains, cutting across Jayce’s face and stinging his eyes. He recognized this place—not in a logical sense, but deep in his bones. It reminded him of when he and his mother got lost in that blizzard, his first experience with magic…with Viktor. Though he hadn’t known it.

A voice called out, distant but unmistakable, “Jayce! Keep your balance—don’t lean too far forward, Mijo!”

His mother.

A younger version of himself—maybe ten or eleven—was awkwardly navigating a pair of skis down a narrow trail. His face was flushed from the cold, but there was determination in his eyes. Beside him, his mother glided with practiced ease, her voice gentle but firm as she coached him.

The scene shifted abruptly, blurring around the edges as if the memory couldn’t decide whether to hold steady. Snow fell heavier now, the wind howling louder. Visibility dwindled to almost nothing.

They were lost.

“Stay close to me, Mijo!” his mother shouted over the wind. “We just need to find a landmark—a tree marker, anything.”

“But I can’t see!” Jayce’s voice was small, panicked. He clutched at his mother’s arm, his skis slipping awkwardly beneath him.

“I know, cariño. Just hold on. We’ll be okay.”

The cold became a living thing, wrapping around them like a predator. Jayce could feel it now—the weight of it, the way it gnawed at exposed skin and crept into their bones. His mother’s hand was trembling in his grasp, her fingers stiff and unyielding. She had given him her own gloves and forced them over his so that his hands would keep warm. They stumbled forward blindly. The snow was relentless in its assault.

Time became meaningless. Minutes, maybe hours, stretched into an eternity.

Finally, they collapsed into a small hollow beneath a rocky overhang, shielded from the worst of the wind. His mother pulled Jayce close, wrapping her arms around him as best she could. He could feel her shivering, the tremors violent and uncontrollable.

“It’s okay,” she whispered in Spanish, more to herself than to him. “Help will come. They’ll find us.”

The fear. The waiting. The way his mother’s voice grew quieter with each passing minute.

It was hours later when the distant drone of a helicopter finally broke through the storm, searchlights piercing the gloom. Jayce barely registered being lifted onto the stretcher, his body too numb to feel anything. But he remembered his mother’s hand slipping from his as they were separated—remembered the way her fingers had looked, red and raw and unnatural.

The memory fractured again, dissolving into a swirling void. Jayce was back in the cosmos, floating weightlessly, but the cold lingered.

The void reassembled itself, this time with a sudden rush of warmth and sunlight. The snow and biting cold were gone, replaced by the soft buzz of campus life. Jayce found himself standing in a wide, open courtyard; the air was rich with the scent of freshly cut grass and the loud, constant chatter of a million conversations. The sky stretched overhead in a crisp, cloudless blue, unusual for Seattle, and the sun bathed everything in a golden glow.

There he was.

Viktor stood in the shade of a towering oak tree, a clipboard in one hand and a cane in the other. His body was relaxed, but his expression was anything but. His brow furrowed slightly as he scanned a list of names, lips pressed into a thin, distracted line.

Jayce felt his heart stutter in his chest. It was Viktor.

The sunlight filtering through the leaves caught Viktor at just the right angle, making his eyes shimmer with gold. For a second, Jayce wondered if he was imagining it. But no, they really were that striking.

Viktor seemed unaware of the effect he was having, focused entirely on his task. He had a thick Eastern European accent, his voice low and brief as he called out names and handed out room assignments. His words were clipped, each syllable carrying a weight that made Jayce hang onto every sound.

But Jayce wasn’t listening to the rules. Not really.

His gaze drifted, caught by the smallest, most absurd detail: a beauty mark just above Viktor’s upper lip. Jayce couldn’t look away. It was like a magnetic pull, drawing his attention again and again, no matter how hard he tried to focus on anything else.

Jayce licked his lips.

“Room 314,” Viktor was saying, thrusting a key into Jayce’s hand. “Shared facilities. No loud music after 10 PM. You understand?”

Jayce nodded dumbly, only half aware of what was being said. His brain was too busy cataloging every detail: the slight hitch in Viktor’s step when he shifted his weight, the way his fingers curled around the handle of his cane, the way his eyes flicked up, sharp and assessing, as if daring anyone to challenge him.

Confident. Self-assured.

Beautiful.

Jayce knew he was bisexual. It wasn’t some grand revelation. But standing here, looking at Viktor, struck him. He’d never met a man who made his heart race like this. Not in real life. Not until now.

“Did you hear me?” Viktor asked, arching a brow. His tone was dry and impatient, but there was something playful lurking beneath it.

Jayce blinked, snapping out of his trance. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, I got it. Room 314. No loud music.”

Viktor’s lips twitched, the barest hint of a smirk. “Good. Try not to get lost.”

With that, Viktor turned and walked away, his cane tapping against the sidewalk.

“Wait!” Jayce called after him, “What’s your name?”

The younger Viktor paused, turning back to him. His eyes were golden like the sun, “It’s Viktor.”

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the memory started to unravel, fading back into stardust. The sun's warmth lingered on Jayce’s skin, but the world around him dissolved into the void once more. And Jayce fell again, plunging deeper into the tapestry of his alternate’s life.

The world reformed in a blur of sun and sea, the sound of crashing waves filling Jayce’s ears. The scent of salt and sunscreen mingled with the distant laughter of children and the faint strum of a guitar from somewhere down the shore.

Jayce was on a stretch of golden sand, the horizon painted in shades of deep blue and shimmering gold. The heat of the sun-soaked into his skin, and the rhythmic pull of the tide seemed to match the pounding of his heart.

They were at the beach.

It was late afternoon, the kind of perfect summer day that felt infinite. Viktor was sprawled between Jayce’s legs, leaning back against his chest, his weight warm and comforting. Jayce’s arms were draped loosely around Viktor’s waist, fingers absently tracing patterns on his stomach through his t-shirt.

Viktor looked completely at ease, eyes half-closed behind his sunglasses. His hair was tousled by the sea breeze, and there was a hint of salt crusting on his skin. His cane was resting on a towel nearby. This was one of the rare moments where Viktor allowed himself to fully relax, to just be.

Jayce’s mother was off to the side, camera in hand. He could hear her fussing over angles, insisting she wanted a few more pictures before they lost the light. Viktor waved a dismissive hand in her direction, too content to move.

Jayce wasn’t paying attention to her either.

His focus was on the small, velvet box burning a hole in the pocket of his swim shorts.

A simple silver band.

He could feel the weight of it, pressing against his leg like a constant reminder. The inside of the band had been engraved with an infinity symbol. He wasn’t sure why he was so nervous—he knew Viktor would say yes.

Not just because they loved each other, though that was reason enough. But because it made sense. Jayce knew how practical Viktor was. He would see the advantages, the logic behind it. Marriage would mean security—a guaranteed place in the country and financial stability. It would make the visa struggles vanish overnight.

Still, Jayce’s heart raced.

He shifted slightly, and Viktor glanced up at him, raising an eyebrow. “You’re restless,” Viktor murmured, his voice low and amused. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Jayce said quickly, clearing his throat. He tightened his hold on Viktor, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Just… thinking.”

Viktor hummed, unconvinced but too comfortable to pry. Jayce could feel the tension ease out of his own shoulders, grounding himself in the moment. The ring could wait for a few more minutes. He was content to hold Viktor.

His mother finally snapped one last photo, grinning triumphantly. “Bueno, tortolitos, ya terminé.”

Jayce chuckled, watching as Viktor shook his head, muttering something in Czech. Jayce still didn’t understand any of it, but Viktor wasn’t trying to learn Spanish either, so it was fair.

He felt a surge of affection so strong it was almost overwhelming. This was it. This was everything he wanted. And soon, very soon, it would be official.

As the memory began to dissolve, Jayce clung to the warmth, to the feel of Viktor against him, to the quiet certainty that they belonged together.

And then they were falling again, the beach and the sun swept away into the cosmos.

The scene was dim. Jayce sat at a small conference table, his elbows resting on the surface, hands tangled in his hair as he stared at the papers before him. This was obviously a different office than the one his counterpart resided in now.

"All I’m saying is that there are people interested in automation, robotics, in other terms. You can do both, Jayce," Mel said, leaning her hip against the desk casually. She wore that calculating look. "If you want the funding, you will have to make concessions."

Jayce’s gaze flickered up to meet hers, his face tight with worry. "Viktor will never agree to this."

Mel pressed on, placing a hand on Jayce’s shoulder, "Why does he have to know? He can continue to work on your passion—the prosthetics. You have great technology here, Jayce. It would be a waste if you let it be lost to obscurity." She paused, her eyes flicking to the stack of papers on the desk. "But until you get those limbs working—connecting how they should—you need other forms of income. Weapons are the biggest players out there."

The words felt like they were sinking into his chest, each one heavier than the last. He pushed himself up in his chair, dragging his hands through his hair in frustration. "He’s my partner, Mel. He’s half this company—and my husband."

Mel didn’t seem fazed. She exhaled slowly, "I know. I understand. But I also know that he doesn’t understand the position you’re in…or I’m in. My mother…well, let’s just say that my patronage isn’t unlimited." She glanced around the room, making sure no one else was listening even though it seemed to be late in the night and the rest of the office was empty before her voice lowered. "I can’t keep giving money without getting anything back in return."

Jayce was silent for a long moment. Her words stung, and he felt the weight of the choice he was being asked to make. He had no choice. Not really.

"If you walk away from us, this company won’t last a week," Jayce said.

If the funding dried up, the company would collapse before their work could ever reach its full potential. But it was the last thing Jayce wanted to do. The thought of betraying Viktor, of making this kind of decision without him, was unimaginable. Viktor had already made his stance clear when this had been brought up the first time a couple years ago. It was a resounding “No.”

"Exactly," Mel replied as if she had read his mind. "I propose you accept. Choose a silent third partner to handle the weapons sector. What Viktor doesn’t know won’t hurt him."

The silence in the room was suffocating. Jayce’s hands shook as he reached for the pen, poised above the dotted line on the contract. He knew what he had to do, but it didn’t make it any easier.

The pen pressed down onto the paper, the sound of it scratching against the contract too loud in the quiet room. Jayce signed the papers. And in doing so, he sealed a decision that would change everything.

The memory faded out on a melancholy note. No colors, just blackness transitioning to the next. Jayce was standing in his office at Talis Tech. Viktor was standing there, a whirlwind of rage. He was younger, his hair shorter by a couple of inches. His goggles were pushed up on his head, soot smeared across his face from some explosion in the lab.

Viktor’s voice cracked through the silence like a whip, fierce and unrelenting, “How could you do this?!”

Jayce’s throat tightened, and he swallowed, trying to gather his thoughts. But nothing came out right. Instead, he asked the only question that mattered, the only one that felt safe. “How did you find out?”

Viktor didn’t answer the question. His words rushed out, a torrent of accented fury. “Does it matter how I found out? How could you do this? That’s the question. Not how I know, not how I discovered some third party—an entire wing of this building, a whole other lab that I was not privy to.” He took a few steps closer, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. “Two years, Jayce! You’ve been lying to me for two years! Weapons! Robotic and AI weapons that we are sending overseas?! My research used to murder children?!”

Jayce flinched as if the words themselves had hit him like a physical blow. “Now… we don’t know—”

“The hell we don’t know,” Viktor snapped, his voice raw, “I can’t believe you, Jayce. I can’t—I can’t believe you would betray my trust like this.”

For a moment, Viktor looked smaller, deflated, as if the weight of Jayce’s betrayal had taken all the fight out of him. His shoulders slouched, and he looked at Jayce with eyes filled with pain and disappointment that cut through Jayce like a knife.

“Baby, I… it had to be done,” Jayce stammered, his voice faltering as he stepped forward, desperate for any kind of understanding. “We were about to lose our funding, everything we built, everything we worked for. We were about to lose everything.”

But Viktor didn’t move. He didn’t even blink. His eyes stayed fixed on Jayce, and the disappointment in them was worse than any anger he had shown.

Viktor finally spoke, his voice barely a whisper. “I would have rather lost everything than lost our souls.”

Jayce stood there, unable to respond, as the weight of Viktor’s words sunk into him like lead. The room felt too small as if the space was closing in on them.

Then, without warning, the memory fractured. The room shattered in a cascade of light, a torrent so blinding that Jayce felt it burn through him, each shard a pulse of raw energy.

He was falling again.

Plummeting through the stars, the cosmos wrapped around him in various colors. The grip of his twin slipped away, torn apart by the relentless pull of the void. Jayce gasped, spinning through the abyss, arms flailing as he was hurled deeper into the unknown. The stars blurred into streaks, their light bending as he tumbled through the fabric of reality itself.

And then—

Nothing.

A jolt. Jayce’s eyes snapped open. His breath hitched as he stared up at the ceiling. His chest heaved, heart racing as though he had just been dragged from the depths of a storm. The room was quiet, save for the faint rattle of Viktor’s breathing pressed against his chest. Viktor’s arm was around his waist, leg thrown over his hip, warm and comforting.

The dream—the memory—was already slipping away, dissolving like mist in the darkness of the room. No matter how desperately he tried to hold onto it, it flowed through his fingers like it never was. All that was left was the echo of something important, something lost in the haze between waking and dreaming.

Jayce closed his eyes again, but the light behind them was ordinary. No stars. No falling. Only the ache in his chest remained.

--------------

Viktor stood barefoot on the balcony, the cool concrete under his feet as he watered the massive collection of plants, ranging in size and shape. Next to the sliding glass door was a clipboard dangling from a hook, detailing the meticulous watering schedule in neat, precise handwriting. He wore sweatpants that pooled around his ankles and one of those strange t-shirts this universe’s Viktor seemed to favor, it was faded black featuring Led Zeppelin across the chest. The fabric hung loose on his frame, the band’s symbols barely visible from how worn the fabric was.

He sighed, fingers tracing the rim of a pot absently. His thoughts were a tangled web.

His imminent death was at the forefront of his mind. It was looking at him from the horizon, waiting for him. The desperation that had driven them both to do what they had once sworn they never would back in their old—real—past—lives. Jayce, reckless and stubborn, had turned to the Hexcore to save him. He hadn’t known what it would do. Not fully. But he’d known enough, and yet he’d gambled with fate anyway.

Viktor remembered waking up from that death sleep. The feeling of betrayal had been so profound he had mistaken it for indifference. He had been meant to die that night in the council chamber—how ironic. That it wouldn’t be his sickness that killed him but a random event. His death had come, and Viktor could not remember it, only that when he woke…he had not wanted to.

It was surprising how quickly he had forgiven Jayce. He left him and severed their partnership, but it only took a couple of weeks for the missing him to start creeping up—then Jayce was gone without a trace, and Viktor was building his commune. He had thought he was doing good work, sure he could infiltrate his follower’s minds but that seemed such a beautiful thing. To be connected to so many, to know their minds and thoughts, and to fix everything that was wrong with them like he wished he could fix himself.

He knew now how misguided that was. It became about perfection, about ridding the world of everything that made humanity…human. What made him human. The negative things that festered below the surface.

His desperation had sent him into the arms of shimmer and the Hexcore. Jayce’s desperation made Viktor into a monster, unintentionally. Knowing there was no magic in this world should be a comfort. They would not be able to…do things quite like they did before. There would be no Hexcore here to revive him from the dead, but they didn’t know enough about the science, the world, to know what options there were. Perhaps it was a good thing. Perhaps the lesson in all of this was acceptance. Fate.

Was his early death fated? Inevitable in every universe?

He’d seen a glimpse of his older self in Jayce’s memories of that horrible future. Was that proof of something more? Or is it simply another cruel twist? He could only survive by sacrificing everything and everyone around him?

The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. If survival meant becoming that, he didn’t want it. He had already made peace with his fate. He’d accepted it because if he didn’t...

Look what he became.

A monster. That wasn’t who he wanted to be. It wasn’t who he was.

The soft swish of the sliding door opening pulled Viktor from his musings.

Jayce leaned against the frame, a mug of coffee in hand, steam curling lazily into the air. His hair was tousled, sleep still clinging to his features, but his smile was warm, lazy in that way only Jayce could manage.

“I didn’t know you had a green thumb,” Jayce mused, his gaze sweeping over the balcony garden.

Viktor snorted, setting the watering can down. “I don’t. Yet, my counterpart seems to, so I suppose I must learn. It would be a shame for all this to go to waste.”

Jayce’s grin widened. “It’s sweet. You’re nesting.”

Rolling his eyes, Viktor crossed his arms, leaning against the railing. “I’m not a bird, Jayce.”

“You sure? You could have fooled me.”

Viktor gave him a withering look, but there was a flicker of amusement behind it.

Jayce took a sip of his coffee, letting the quiet stretch for a moment before speaking again. “Since you’re on house arrest, wanna come with me to Talis Tech today? I’ve got about a million messages from my supposed partner. Something about a meeting I can’t miss. Could be good to see what the place is all about.”

“Do you think you will be able to improvise your way through a meeting?”

Jayce shrugged. He seemed more comfortable in his skin today, at ease with their situation, “I think I can think on my feet. How hard can it be?”

“Famous last words,” Viktor said, a wry smirk tugging at his lips.

Jayce chuckled, the sound warm and easy. “So, are you going to join me?”

Viktor raised an eyebrow, shifting his weight as he picked up the watering can again. “You need me to babysit you?”

“I think I want your opinion of the place,” Jayce admitted. “Do you not want to come?”

 “I’ll come.”

Jayce’s grin widened, and he approached, walking fully out onto the balcony. Viktor felt the familiar warmth of Jayce’s presence behind him before the other man wrapped an arm around his waist, careful not to spill the coffee in his other hand. The kiss on the back of Viktor’s neck was gentle. Just the warm press of lips. Viktor paused, the watering can tilting slightly and leaned back into the touch instinctively.

“I don’t think we have time for that,” Viktor said dryly, though his voice lacked any real edge. “If you are needed at the office.”

Jayce rested his forehead against Viktor’s shoulder, letting out a mock sigh of disappointment. “It’s probably a good thing we never discovered this back home, you know? We would have never gotten anything done. I’d have been all over you.”

Viktor snorted, shaking his head but not moving away. “Mm, I think we would have managed. It is new for us now. You will get tired of me eventually.”

“No.” Jayce’s reply was immediate, his voice firm in a way that left no room for argument. “Never.”

Viktor’s chest tightened at the certainty in those words, but he said nothing, returning his attention to the plants. “Let me water these, and then I will get ready to join you.”

“Okay.” Jayce’s hand slid from Viktor’s waist but lingered for a moment longer than necessary. “Did you take your hoard of pills this morning?”

“No, I haven’t yet.”

“Have you eaten?”

“No,” Viktor admitted, his voice betraying a hint of defensiveness. “I came out here first.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed, and he made a low noise of disapproval before straightening. “Then I’ll make you something. You probably shouldn’t be taking all that on an empty stomach.”

There was no judgment in Jayce’s voice, only genuine concern. It threw Viktor off balance, as it always did. Accepting help had never come easily to him, but Jayce offered it so effortlessly, so without judgment, that it left little room for protest.

“Thank you, Jayce.”

Jayce leaned in, pressing a kiss to Viktor’s temple, his affection radiating in every small gesture. “Anytime.” He stepped back inside, sliding the glass door shut behind him with a soft thud, leaving Viktor alone once more with the plants and his thoughts.

--------------

They arrived at the sleek, towering building that housed Talis Tech, its polished glass reflecting the mid-morning sun. Jayce navigated down into the garage, letting his hazy memory guide him back to his reserved spot. From there, he led the way past the security guard and into the elevator.

The ride up was quiet, the hum of the elevator filling the silence between them. Both seemed preoccupied, bracing for whatever the day might throw their way.

When the doors opened on the 17th floor, they stepped into the symmetrical hall of elevators. Jayce led them to the side and pushed through the glass doors, and they entered the brightly lit Talis Tech lobby.

The receptionist, a bright-eyed woman with a perky ponytail, practically lit up at the sight of them. “Good morning, Mr. Talis! Oh! Dr. Talis—Viktor! Wow, it’s so good to see you!”

Viktor blinked, visibly taken aback by the exuberant greeting. He offered a polite, if hesitant, smile. “Ah, yes, you as well.”

“Are you coming back? Is he coming back, Mr. Talis?” she asked, her excitement bubbling over as she looked between them.

Jayce rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “Uh, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Viktor just… didn’t have to work today, so he’s keeping me company.”

“Oh, wow! That’s so nice! I love that! You should come by more often, Dr. Talis. We all miss you here!”

Viktor nodded, muttering something noncommittal, and followed Jayce past her desk.

As they walked through the open-plan office space, heads began to turn. Conversations faltered, eyes widening as Viktor passed.

“Vik! Oh my god, it’s so good to see you!” someone exclaimed from a nearby desk.

“Wow, Viktor, you’re back! You look great. Are you feeling better?” another chimed in.

A man in a sharp suit leaned out of his office doorway, his face lighting up in recognition. “Viktor! It’s been ages. Great to see you again!”

Viktor offered stiff nods and polite smiles, clearly out of his element. He leaned closer to Jayce, lowering his voice. “I have never been this desired before. By anyone, let alone so many people.”

Jayce’s grin was slow and undeniably smug. “It’s about time other people started appreciating you as much as I do.”

Viktor sputtered, caught completely off guard by the earnestness in Jayce’s voice. His cheeks flushed, and without a second thought, he whacked Jayce hard on the shin with his cane.

“Ah!” Jayce flinched dramatically, bouncing back away from him. “What was that for?”

“You deserved it,” Viktor muttered, still flustered as he quickened his steps.

“For what? Telling the truth?” Jayce teased, falling into step beside him with an unrepentant grin. Recovering from the assault rather quickly.

“Stop talking,” Viktor grumbled, though the corner of his mouth twitched as if fighting back a smile.

They continued toward the far end of the office, Viktor doing his best to ignore the lingering stares and murmurs that followed their progress. Jayce eventually led him into what was clearly his personal office—expansive, modern, and meticulously organized.

The space was pristine, it was the only space so far that wasn’t over run completely in the almost oppressive grey décor. There was even a small seating area with a small brown leather couch and chairs. Viktor glanced around, his expression thoughtful. “Your interior design skills are as uninspired as ever.”

Jayce only laughed, shaking his head. “You’re in rare form today.”

“Well, this is… colorless,” Viktor muttered, his gaze sweeping over the room.

Jayce chuckled. “Everything’s gray in this place.”

Before Viktor could respond, a woman entered, balancing a stack of papers. She was a petite, curvaceous blond, her hair cut into a round bob, big blue eyes behind sharp cat eyeglasses.

 “Oh my god! Viktor, wow, it’s so good to see you! Mr. Talis, uh, Jayce, here are your messages.” She placed the papers on the desk. “Alex has been losing it. Just a heads up—he’s going to barge in the moment he knows you’re here. Your meeting with the MilTech group is in an hour. Then you have that lunch meeting with the rep from Cortex Innovations Corp. I’ve set up and confirmed the reservations at Canlis. Then you have two back-to-back meetings with Carlos from Neural Dynamics Ltd. and the rep for EvoTech Solutions, those I had to move from yesterday. Carlos is leaving town tomorrow and was a little peeved about the reschedule, so I went ahead and bought him one of those fancy cheese baskets from The Creamery. I got it all detailed in the expense report, if you could sign that so I can file it with accounting? Oh, and Dr. Reyes, down at the lab, requested a walkthrough. Said they need you down there—something about the Nuro link chips, but I told them it probably won’t happen today, and Mrs. Kiramman ‘requested an audience’ with you this afternoon, but I  didn’t know if you were coming in or not, and you’re booked up till 4, so would you like me to pencil something in after 4 with her or would you prefer a different day?”

“Uh…you can, uh, pencil Cassandre in. We were actually planning on taking a look at the lab. You said the meeting…the first one…that’s in an hour?” Jayce looked to Viktor, who just kind of grimaced and shrugged, “I think we have time to check it out…um…which, uh….where?”

The girl looked at him for a moment, clearly assessing the odd hesitation before replying carefully, “It’s Lab 1, prosthetics on the 14th. However, I think Dr. Morales in Lab 2 would appreciate you stopping by as well. Both teams have been waiting on consultations from you for months.” She hesitated, then added quickly, “I didn’t mean—uh, I just think they’d both benefit from your time.”

“Of course,” Jayce replied, nodding too quickly. “We’ll head to Lab 1 first. If there’s time before the meeting, we’ll stop by Lab 2.”

Her gaze flicked from Jayce to Viktor, then back again as though weighing the exchange. “Would you like me to set up in Conference Room 1 for MilTech? That way, you won’t have to rush back up here.”

Jayce hesitated before responding, “Yes, yeah, yes, that sounds like—Yes, please.”

The girl smiled, though there was a faint edge of skepticism in her expression, “Would you like me to sit in on the meetings, Mr. Talis? I’ve got all the notes ready. I can print a summary for you.”

Jayce exhaled through his nose, realizing he wasn’t fully equipped to handle the schedule ahead. “Yes, thank you. That’d be great.”

She nodded, pausing like she was waiting for something. When Jayce said nothing further, she asked carefully, “Do you need anything else from me before the meeting? Do…do you need me to take you down to the lab?”

Jayce waved his hand dismissively. “No, no, I’ve got it covered. We’ll get there on our own.”

Her lips quirked slightly, doubt flickering across her face, but she relented, “Alright, I’ll meet you in the conference room in an hour. Dr. Talis—uh, Viktor—are you joining the meetings as well?”

Viktor glanced at Jayce, who gave an almost imperceptible shrug. “I may,” Viktor replied simply.

She nodded briskly. “Perfect. Anything else you need, Mr. Talis—Jayce?”

Jayce paused for a beat, then added, “Can you clear my schedule for tomorrow? I’m not coming in.”

Her brows lifted, though her expression remained neutral. “Of course. Should I clear any other days?”

Jayce hesitated, calculating. They needed to figure out this life without completely derailing it. “Just tomorrow. I’ll be back Monday.”

“Got it.” She started to turn but hesitated again. “Should I keep Alex away until the meeting, or are you okay with him coming in?”

Jayce let out a breath. “He can come in.”

“Okie dokie!” With that, she left, though Viktor noticed her lingering glance in his direction before she shut the door.

Viktor wandered the room, his fingers trailing along the edge of a sleek metal shelf. “You seem… well-prepared to improvise.”

Jayce smirked, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I think I can think on my feet. How hard can it be?”

Viktor gave him a long, pointed look that said otherwise.

They barely had a moment to settle before the door flew open, slamming into the wall. A man stormed in, his tie askew and his face flushed with annoyance. “Goddamn it, Jayce! You couldn’t text me back! I was—” He froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he spotted Viktor. “Oh, Jesus, Viktor?!”

Viktor tilted his head slightly, “Hello.”

The man—presumably Alex—stared, dumbfounded. “Well… what is going on here? Jayce, I’ve been waiting to hear back. Are you ready for the presentation?”

Jayce nodded, forcing a calm he didn’t quite feel. “I’ve got the files in my… uh, email.”

“Want me to get Meg to set up the big conference room?”

“Uh,” Jayce realized that the woman who came in here and flooded him with information was most likely Meg, “No need. I’ve already spoken to Meg, and she’s got it covered.”

Alex’s gaze bounced between them, obviously confused. “No offense, Jayce, but what is Vik doing here?”

Jayce’s expression hardened slightly. “He’s my husband, and he’s spending the day with me. Is there a problem?”

Alex raised his hands defensively. “No, no problem. Just… odd timing, is all. I thought he didn’t want anything to do with the company.”

Jayce didn’t like how this, Alex, was talking about Viktor as if he wasn’t standing in the room with them.

Jayce’s jaw clenched, but he forced himself to sound casual. “We need to get him set up with the insurance. And like I said, he’s here with me today—we’re going to take a little tour of the lab.”

Alex glanced at Jayce, who gave nothing away, then back at Viktor. “Right. Uh, okay. Well, I’ll have Beatrice come in and handle the insurance while we’re in the meeting. And… it’s good to see you, Vik. I was really sorry to hear about your diagnosis.”

Viktor’s smile was tight. “Thank you, Alex. You may go now.”

Alex blinked, flustered by Viktor’s dismissal, but nodded. “Right.” He turned to leave but hesitated at the door. “Oh, by the way—Mel was asking about you. Said she might swing by.”

The mention of Mel’s name triggered a sudden, visceral flash of memory in Jayce’s mind. Shadows moving in a dimly lit room. The heavy scent of perfume. Mel’s voice, low and intimate

His stomach twisted with unease. The memory felt wrong and distant, but guilt gnawed at him regardless. He didn’t understand or know where it came from, and he, frankly, didn’t want to know.

Jayce forced a tight smile, his voice clipped. “Thanks, Alex. That’ll be all.”

Alex lingered, clearly confused by the whole interaction, but eventually shrugged and left.

Viktor waited until the door clicked shut before speaking. “Well handled.”

Jayce released a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair, “Let’s see how long this bluff lasts.”

Viktor chuckled softly, “So, we are going to tour the lab and see where all the weapons are made.”

Jayce grimaced, “Well, the prosthetics.”

--------------

Jayce led Viktor back to the elevator, moving past clusters of startled workers who couldn’t seem to stop staring. The murmuring of whispers followed them until the elevator doors slid shut with a soft chime.

Jayce pressed the button for the 14th floor, leaning back against the cool metal wall with a faint exhale. The confined space felt like a reprieve from the attention. Viktor glanced at him, arching a brow.

“They were staring at me like some kind of circus freak,” Viktor muttered.

“Well, your other you hasn’t been here for five years. It’s almost like you’ve risen from the dead or something.” Jayce grinned.

Viktor huffed, his grip tightening slightly on his cane. “If that’s your idea of humor, I am unimpressed.”

The elevator chimed again as they reached their destination. The doors opened to reveal a dimly lit corridor. The subdued lighting was very different from the bright, polished upper floor. The air felt cooler here, like stepping into an ice box. Jayce led the way, his dress shoes echoing softly against the tiled floor.

They stopped before a large steel door marked with "Talis Technologies." A keypad glowed faintly beside it.

Jayce stared at the numbers for a moment, his brow furrowing.

“Perhaps we should have taken Meg up on her offer to escort us,” Viktor suggested dryly.

“No, no,” Jayce said, squaring his shoulders. “We’re smart enough to figure it out.”

He closed his eyes, focusing intensely on his hand hovering over the keypad. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a flicker of memory surged forward—a brief image of his own hand punching in numbers: 3-4-0-9. The sensation left a sharp twinge behind his eyes, and he grimaced.

“Jayce?”

“Got it.” He tapped the code into the keypad, and the door buzzed, unlocking with a soft click.

“Well,” Viktor said, tilting his head. “That is… curious.”

Jayce rubbed his temple. “I can sometimes think really hard and get memories—like flashes. Sometimes, they just pop up out of nowhere. It hurts like hell, though.”

“Mmmm. I had a dream the other night, I think.” Viktor’s tone was contemplative, as if the admission surprised even him, “But I have not attempted to remember something from this life. It has all come to me involuntarily.”

Jayce perked up. “Really? I did, too. Except I can’t remember mine. But…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “It’s like I woke up this morning knowing things. Stuff I don’t even know how I know. That I don’t even know, I know. It’s all jumbled, but it’s just there.”

Viktor’s lips twitched faintly. “Very articulate, Jayce.”

“Hey!” Jayce shot back, laughing softly. “What do you think it means?”

“I have a hypothesis,” Viktor admitted. “But I need more information before I draw any conclusions. We can discuss it later.”

“Alright, Professor,” Jayce teased, gesturing toward the open door. “After you.”

Viktor stepped through first. His senses were immediately assaulted by the high-pitched ring of machinery, the faint tang of sterilizing chemicals, and the noise of overlapping conversations.

The lab sprawled out before them, a sprawling maze of workstations, glowing monitors, and intricate mechanical setups. Overhead, bright LED panels reflected off the polished steel surfaces. Scientists bustled about, each absorbed in their tasks. Some tinkered with sleek prosthetics laid out on worktables, while others huddled around view screens flashing streams of data.

Viktor slowed, his gaze sweeping over the space. It was the best thing he had seen in this world since waking beyond Jayce himself. A lab. It was brighter than theirs back home, but it was a lab all the same.

“Dr. Talis!”

A stocky man with glasses perched precariously on his nose and a thick shock of graying hair looked up from a workstation, his face breaking into an elated grin. “You’re here! Oh, this is wonderful!” He shoved his goggles onto his forehead and hurried over, clasping Viktor’s free hand in both of his.

“Dr. Reyes?” Viktor ventured, a little awkward at being touched by this man he didn’t know.

“Yes, yes! Oh, and everyone, look—Viktor Talis is back!” Dr. Reyes called over his shoulder, prompting heads to whip around across the lab.

A collective wave of gasps and excited murmurs followed. A younger woman with a halo of tight curls practically bounced in place as she abandoned her tablet to rush over. “Vik! It’s so good to see you!”

Viktor blinked, his grip tightening slightly on his cane. “Ah, thank you. It is… unexpected to be welcomed with such enthusiasm.”

Jayce chuckled from beside him. “You didn’t realize you’re a legend around here?”

Jayce winked at him, playing along. Perhaps he was good at bluffing his way through this situation. Much like he used to socialize and shmooze at those big parties and events in Piltover.

Viktor shot him a dry look, his lips quirking faintly. “Clearly, I underestimated my charm.”

“Dr. Talis!” another voice chimed in, belonging to a wiry young man with a sharp jawline and wide, earnest eyes. “It’s been—what—years!? Are you feeling any better? I was so, so, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis!”

The words hung awkwardly in the air, and Viktor shifted uneasily. “I am managing,” he replied, keeping his voice carefully neutral.

Jayce stepped in smoothly, clapping Viktor on the shoulder. “He’s here to check things out, maybe even lend a hand if we’re lucky.”

“That’s fantastic news!” Reyes interjected, steering them toward the nearest set of workstations. “We’ve been stuck for weeks now. Frankly, we’ve been begging Jayce to get you in here for months.”

The lab’s activity surged again as they moved deeper inside, though Viktor noted how people kept glancing at him as though he might vanish at any moment. The attention was unsettling, but something about the buzz of innovation in the room tugged at him.

Dr. Reyes gestured to a view screen on one of the desks. “This is the main project we’re stuck on—trying to replicate muscle fibers that can respond to electrical impulses from the brain. Essentially, as you know, we’re attempting to design a system that allows synthetic limbs to interface seamlessly with the body’s nervous system. But…” He exhaled sharply, pointing at a cluster of data scrolling across the 3D model on the screen. “We keep running into signal degradation when we try to integrate it with existing neural pathways. The fibers either don’t respond at all or misfire entirely.”

Viktor leaned in, his eyes gleaming as he studied the display. It felt like a switch was going off in his brain, how he could understand what he was looking at in a moment, “You are attempting to mimic the myelin sheath, then? That is why the signals are not properly insulated.”

Dr. Reyes nodded excitedly. “Exactly! That’s exactly the issue! But every synthetic material we’ve tried either breaks down or causes rejection from the nervous system.”

Another scientist, the curly-haired woman, jumped in. “We thought about using a graphene base, but the durability—”

“—is compromised when exposed to prolonged stress,” Viktor finished for her, his head was pounding but he ignored it in favor of continuing to read the data, the moment one switch flipped it was like they were all aligning in his mind.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, her voice almost reverent. “You really are a genius.”

Jayce crossed his arms, smiling as he watched Viktor slip effortlessly into the rhythm of the lab.

“What if you reinforced the structure with a hydrogel matrix?” Viktor asked, his brow furrowing. “It would provide flexibility while maintaining conductivity, provided you adjust for…” His voice faltered, his free hand brushing his temple as a faint wave of dizziness swept over him.

Jayce noticed immediately. “You okay?”

“Yes,” Viktor replied quickly, straightening his back. “I am fine. The hydrogel matrix—if layered properly—could… significantly improve the integrity of the fibers.”

“Brilliant,” Reyes said, jotting down notes furiously.

Viktor nodded but felt an odd tightness in his chest. He blamed it on the sudden influx of attention. Even so, he glanced at the nearest chair, mentally filing away the option of sitting down if the need arose.

The lab seemed to pulse with energy as the scientists rallied around Viktor’s suggestion, their earlier frustration morphing into a shared excitement. Reyes turned to one of the nearby stations and pulled out a 3D model of the synthetic limb they were working on, its skeletal framework highlighted with red annotations.

“If we integrate the hydrogel matrix as you described,” Reyes said, spinning the model for emphasis, “we could potentially stabilize the signal pathways without compromising flexibility or durability. It might also reduce the risk of inflammation during neural integration.”

“Exactly,” Viktor murmured, his eyes fixed on the arm before him. “And for conductivity, have you considered incorporating metallic nanowires within the matrix? They would facilitate more consistent signal transmission while remaining pliable.”

A young man with thick glasses and an overwhelmed expression perked up. “We haven’t—uh, we didn’t think of that. Wouldn’t that require recalibrating the entire integration protocol?”

Viktor nodded, his mind already leaping ahead, it was as if two minds were running at once, blending their knowledge from two worlds. “It would. But with recalibration, you could create a closed system where the artificial sheath mimics the conductivity and insulation properties of organic tissue.” He gestured at the screen on the desk. “The degradation issue lies in the lack of synchronization between the synthetic and biological components. Treating it as a cohesive system rather than isolated parts could solve that.”

Jayce chuckled, leaning against the nearest workstation. “You make it sound so obvious, Viktor. Almost like you’ve done this before.”

Viktor shot him a faintly amused glance. “Perhaps I have.”

A ripple of laughter ran through the room, but Viktor’s focus remained on the work in front of him. The scientists swarmed the workstation, scribbling notes and trading rapid-fire ideas, while Viktor continued to offer insights and corrections. Jayce observed with quiet pride, marveling at how easily Viktor had fallen into step with these strangers.

Time blurred as the discussion deepened. Concepts were tested and discarded in rapid succession, the lab buzzing with the kind of fervor that only came from the brink of discovery. At one point, Viktor caught himself halfway through a sentence, realizing his hand had drifted to his temple again. He shook off the lingering dizziness, determined not to lose momentum.

“Would you like to sit down?” Jayce asked quietly, his concern just barely hidden beneath his casual tone.

“I am fine,” Viktor replied, though his voice was softer than before. He waved dismissively at a chair. “The work is more engaging when one is standing.”

Jayce didn’t look convinced but let it go.

There was a jarring ringing that pierced through the collective brainstorming. One of the assistants stepped away to answer the call, her voice low as she murmured into the receiver. A moment later, she turned toward Jayce.

“Uh, Mr. Talis? It’s Meg. She says it’s meeting time.”

Jayce straightened with a groan, running a hand through his hair. “Of course it is.”

Reyes looked up from his notes, clearly disappointed. “You’re leaving? Now?”

“Duty calls,” Jayce said with an apologetic smile, glancing at Viktor. “You want to come with me, or…?”

Viktor shook his head, his attention still half-absorbed in the data on the view screen. “I think I will stay here for now. There is so much to learn.”

Jayce grinned. “Figured as much. Try not to revolutionize the entire field before I get back, alright?”

“No promises,” Viktor said dryly, though his lips twitched into a faint smile.

Jayce clapped him lightly on the shoulder before heading toward the door. “Alright, I’ll see you later.”

As the door hissed shut behind him, Viktor turned back to the work in front of him. The lab buzzed around him, the scientists fully engrossed in their renewed momentum. Yet there was a faint tightness in Viktor’s chest. He dismissed it for now, choosing instead to immerse himself in the science unraveling before him.

Viktor leaned over the workstation, his fingers skimming the edge of a printout as he followed the discussion unfolding around him. The scientists were poring over a series of graphs and data points, the lines of their faces marked by a mix of enthusiasm and frustration.

“So, the neural link chips are where the entire system breaks down,” Reyes was saying, tapping a pencil against a schematic. “Even when we mimic the electrical signals from the brain, the chips can’t interpret them fast enough to generate the right response. The limb ends up lagging or overreacting to stimuli.”

“Exactly,” one of the assistants chimed in. “We thought about embedding machine learning protocols to help the system self-adjust, but that would require real-time processing speeds we just don’t have yet.”

Viktor tilted his head, his brow furrowing as he considered their dilemma. “Have you accounted for signal filtering? The brain does not interpret every electrical impulse it receives—it prioritizes. Perhaps the issue is that the chip is attempting to process too much data at once.”

Reyes’s eyes lit up. “That… actually makes sense. If we implemented a filter to isolate only the relevant signals, it could reduce the lag significantly.”

“Not just a filter,” Viktor continued, his voice gaining momentum despite the slight tremor in it. “You could incorporate a predictive algorithm, something that analyzes patterns in the neural signals and anticipates the next input based on context.”

The curly-haired scientist from earlier gasped. “That’s brilliant! It’s like building a translator for the brain’s language.”

Viktor’s chest tightened, and a wave of dizziness washed over him, but he ignored it, too absorbed in the conversation to stop. He was starting to feel nauseous. He used his cane to pull a chair and lowered himself into it. The others barely noticed, their focus glued to the flurry of equations Viktor began scribbling on a piece of scrap paper.

As he worked, the door to the lab swung open, and the air shifted. A tall, severe-looking woman stepped inside, her sharp features framed by impeccably styled dark hair. Her gaze swept the room like a searchlight before settling on Viktor.

“Dr. Talis?”

The tone of her voice made it clear this wasn’t a social visit. Viktor glanced up, his pen pausing mid-stroke. “Yes?”

The woman strode forward, a manila folder in hand. “Beatrice Lawson, HR, if you remember. Alex sent me. I’m here to finalize your addition to the company’s insurance plan under your husband.” She gave him a pointed look, her no-nonsense demeanor cutting through the lab’s hum. “Shall we handle this here, or would you prefer somewhere more private?”

Viktor blinked, the tightness in his chest deepening as well as the faint nausea. He gestured toward his work absently. “Perhaps… back in Jayce’s office would be more appropriate.”

Beatrice arched an eyebrow but nodded briskly. “As you wish.”

He stood slowly, swallowing back the discomfort swirling in his stomach. The assistants and Reyes looked up briefly, concern flickering across their faces.

“Dr. Talis, are you alright?” Reyes asked hesitantly.

“Yes, yes, I am fine.” Viktor took up his cane and followed Beatrice, their footsteps echoing faintly in the winding halls as they made their way back to the elevator.

Once inside, Beatrice glanced at him, her sharp gaze assessing. “I was surprised when Alex said you were here—then to find you consulting in the lab, no less. Are we going to have to destroy all that consulting you seemed to be doing, or should I work up a contractor’s agreement? I wouldn’t want you to sue us.”

Viktor frowned slightly, leaning on his cane. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Beatrice’s expression didn’t waver as the elevator hummed to life, carrying them upward. “I don’t know what changed your mind, but you made Jayce, and the rest of this company sign some pretty ironclad documents prohibiting the use of any research you were involved in. It set the prosthetics department back years—they had to start from scratch. Not to mention the…other aspects of this business. So, if you’re planning on consulting, we’ll need a meeting with Mrs. Kiramman and the partners. Or…” She arched a brow, “...perhaps you’re considering taking up that title again. Partner?”

Viktor met her gaze evenly, though the tightness in his chest grew sharper. He had to navigate this smoothly but also without lying. It would make things far more complicated. “Jayce… asked me to come in today, and I… did. There have been no further plans regarding me rejoining as a partner here.”

Beatrice made a noncommittal sound, her lips pressed thin. As the elevator dinged, she stepped out ahead of him. “Well, I have to say,” she continued, leading him back through the office and throng of onlookers, “you’ll have to refrain from any consulting until we’ve worked up some kind of contract and reviewed those affidavits. That way, there’s no legal entanglement—or worse, liability.”

“I understand,” Viktor said, his voice clipped but calm. It seemed his alternate-self had been quite firm in his demands when he left this place, more even than Viktor realized from those messages. It was understandable, he didn’t want his work contributing to weaponry. That must have been the crux of the negotiations to continue the marriage. For five years their alternate selves have been navigating a marriage with such strict boundaries, but they had seemed to work it out. Though, perhaps alternate Jayce was not so comfortable with it as Viktor’s alternate seemed to be.

They reached Jayce’s office, and Beatrice pushed open the door, gesturing for Viktor to enter first. He moved slowly, the nausea clawing at the edges of his composure. The familiar, cold monotony of the office didn’t help; the gray tones seemed to close in on him.

Beatrice settled herself in the sitting area, setting her manila folder neatly on the coffee table. Viktor lowered himself into a chair opposite her, gripping his cane as a faint sheen of sweat began to form at his temples.

She flipped open the folder, pulling out a few papers and a pen. “Alright, let’s get started. Have you canceled the insurance you’re under at the, uh…” She hesitated, checking her notes. “...school where you work?”

“No, I… haven’t had the opportunity,” Viktor admitted, keeping his voice steady despite the growing unease in his stomach.

“That’s alright,” Beatrice replied briskly, sliding a form across the table toward him. “I’ll take care of it. I just need you to sign this consent form so I can handle the transfer.”

Viktor picked up the pen, his fingers trembling slightly as he scanned the document. Beatrice watched him with professional detachment, her gaze sharp but not unkind.

“You don’t look well, Dr. Talis,” she observed, her tone matter-of-fact. “Should we reschedule this for another time?”

“No, I am fine,” Viktor said firmly, signing his name with deliberate precision. “Let us continue.”

Beatrice didn’t press further, though her frown deepened slightly as she collected the signed form and organized the next set of papers. Viktor focused on his breathing, forcing the wave of nausea to subside as the meeting carried on.

--------------

Jayce sat at the head of the conference table, his shoulders squared, and hands clasped tightly in front of him, trying to project confidence he didn’t feel. The presentation had started with generic slides about efficiency and cost-effectiveness—buzzwords that weren’t so different from the funding meetings he had to endure at Hextech. But as the meeting progressed, the glossy corporate language gave way to hard truths.

“These are the latest models you provided us,” the lead MilTech representative said, gesturing toward the large, mounted view screen on the wall. A sleek weapon prototype appeared, rotating slowly. “With the new targeting algorithms, this system is 98% accurate, minimizing collateral damage in urban environments. Perfect for both law enforcement and military operations.”

Jayce’s stomach churned. On the screen, the animated simulation shifted to a bustling street. A drone hovered overhead, firing precise shots at moving targets. He watched as red markers—representing human lives—blinked out of existence with chilling efficiency.

“Are these being deployed?” Jayce asked, his voice tighter than he intended.

The representative barely paused. “Currently, they’re in use in several high-conflict zones across the globe. We’ve also secured contracts with domestic law enforcement agencies. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—”

“Positive?” Jayce interrupted, his chest constricting, “What kind of feedback, exactly?”

The man faltered but recovered quickly, flipping to a slide with data points and smiling faces. “Reduced operational costs, decreased officer casualties, increased public compliance...”

Jayce forced himself to remain composed, though his hands trembled under the table. How could any version of me think this was acceptable? A memory came flooding back—the desperate need for funding to pursue his passions, the company at risk of going under—at risk of losing all of its funding.

This was how it had happened. In his quest to create something meaningful, he’d sold his soul. It was such a familiar realization that it almost knocked him over. He did this, not to this extent, sure…but he did this. Was this a cycle that he was forced to repeat through every life in every universe?

He felt a hand lightly brush his arm. “Mr. Talis?” Meg’s voice was calm but insistent. Her expression was unreadable, but the subtle pressure of her touch anchored him. “Perhaps you’d like to discuss the budget allocations for the next quarter?”

Jayce nodded, forcing a tight smile. “Yes. Let’s move on.”

Meg seamlessly took over, guiding the conversation as Jayce sat back, trying to reconcile what he was seeing. What this Jayce had been ok with doing so that his dream could be funded.

As the meeting wrapped up, Jayce lingered behind, nodding absently at the MilTech representatives as they left the room.

“Are you okay, Mr. Talis?” Meg asked, staying behind as well. She was clutching her folder’s to her chest, her eyes full of concern.

He gave her a weary look. “I’ll be fine. What’s next?”

Alex interjected, he was standing by the door, glancing at his watch. “Lunch meeting at Canlis in thirty. We should ride together.” He looked a lot less frazzled than he had earlier, as if he thought they scored a personal victory in the MilTech negotiations instead of agreeing to sell them more drones and showing them even more horrific killing machines that the lab had in the works.

Jayce exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Alright. Can you join us for the lunch, Meg?”

Meg raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Free lunch at a fancy restaurant? Hell yeah. Give me a few minutes, though—I need to wrap up some emails.”

Jayce nodded and watched her leave.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Meg? Why?”

“Because she deserves...free lunch at a nice restaurant for helping us in here.”

Alex snorted, his skepticism evident. “Fine. I’ll meet you downstairs.” He strode out without waiting for a response.

Meg returned a few minutes later. “Ready?”

Jayce straightened up. “Let’s go.”

As they walked toward the elevator, Meg glanced at him, her expression carefully neutral. “By the way,” she said, scrolling through her tablet as they waited for the elevator to arrive at their destination, “Viktor’s in your office with HR. Beatrice is with him.”

Jayce tried not to look confused by the term, “HR?”

“Insurance stuff,” Meg clarified, waving it off. “I think Alex sent Beatrice to handle it. Just wanted to give you a heads up that he’s in there and not down in the lab anymore.”

“Thank you, Meg.”

“Of course.”

The elevator dinged, and they stepped out into the garage. Alex was already waiting by Jayce’s car, his arms crossed. When he saw Meg trailing behind, he raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, Meg’s riding with you?” Alex said, with the faintest hint of disapproval.

“Yes,” Jayce replied. He couldn’t imagine being stuck in his car with Alex for however long the drive was. He could barely stand the guy and he’s only known him for a couple hours. He wasn’t sure how the other Jayce managed to be partnered with this guy for the past 5 years.

Alex sighed dramatically. “I guess I’ll take my own car, then. Yours barely fits two people.”

Jayce shrugged as he unlocked the car. “Sounds good to me.”

Alex muttered something under his breath but didn’t argue, striding toward his own car parked nearby. It was a large black behemoth, it was four doors then a large open back, the man had to step up on a little built in foot stool to haul himself inside the thing.

Jayce opened the passenger door for Meg, who climbed in with a grin. “He’s fun,” she said sarcastically as she buckled her seatbelt and rolled her eyes.

Jayce smirked faintly as he slid into the driver’s seat. “I’m not so sure about that”

They followed Alex’s car out of the garage, gliding out onto the road in formation. It would be hard to lose Alex in his monster vehicle, so Jayce didn’t bother trying to do the map.

Silence filled the space as Jayce and Meg settled into the car, the cityscape rolling by through the windows. Jayce’s grip on the wheel was tight, his mind buzzing with a storm of thoughts he couldn’t seem to shake. It was one thing to build mining gauntlets and a hammer. One thing to build Cailyn a gun or two for her small force to find Jinx in the underground. It was an entirely different thing to build thousands of weapons of war. To supply governments and police forces and armies with weapons that could decimate entire cities. That could accurately kill people from miles away.

He understood the need for funding. The prosthetics couldn’t make the company money unless they worked and at this point….they seemed to still not be working but there had to be other ways to secure funding. There had to be other things this Jayce’s company could do on the side.

Meg broke the silence, her voice was casual but probing. “So, are you out of it just because Viktor is here, or is something else going on?”

Jayce blinked, glancing at her for a moment before refocusing on the road. “Do I seem out of it?”

Meg let out a short laugh. “Well, yeah. Super out of it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this distracted. And that’s saying something.”

Jayce exhaled through his nose, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “I don’t know… It’s just…” He hesitated, unsure how much he could say, unsure how much she could understand. He glanced at her again, her curious expression waiting patiently. Finally, he decided to give her a version of the truth.

“It feels like I’m realizing how far I’ve gotten from what I used to be,” he said, his voice softer now. “It used to be Viktor and me, in the lab, making magic—prosthetics,” he recovered, “things that actually helped people. Then it became… this.” He gestured vaguely at the city ahead, “Pageant shows, meetings, and weapons.”

He trailed off, his throat tight. He couldn’t keep going without getting too far away from this version—this world. It was too close to home but not close enough that it would make sense. He did this once before, but it hadn’t been to this level…and maybe this version of himself never killed a child by his own hands. Never looked into the eyes of a dying little boy after he shot them…but this Jayce was killing them by the thousands without ever seeing it. Vi’s words rang through his mind. You’ve always been a part of this. You just never had to look it in the eye.

Meg filled the silence, her voice thoughtful. “You feel like you’ve lost yourself?”

Jayce nodded, his jaw tight. “Yeah.”

Meg became softer, and she turned slightly in her seat to face him. “I may not have been working at this company back when it was what you’re describing, but I could always tell where you wanted to be. It was… a different place when Viktor was around. You were different. I mean, if it’s okay for me to say that.”

Jayce let out a breath, his grip on the wheel loosening. “Sure it is. Go ahead. Don’t worry—I can take it.”

She hesitated for only a moment before continuing. “You just don’t seem very happy, Mr. Talis. And that’s before the diagnosis. You haven’t seemed very happy for years.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed slightly, but she pressed on.

“I’m glad Viktor came in with you today,” she said. “You may be a little out of it, but I think it’s because you’re glad. I don’t think I’ve seen you look that happy in—well, I don’t know how long. But in your office earlier? It’s like Viktor walked in with you, and all this business stuff just flew out of your head.”

Jayce’s lips curved into a faint smile as he glanced at her again. “Yeah?”

Meg grinned. “Yeah. And maybe that means something.”

Jayce didn’t reply right away, his mind turning over her words. It did mean something, but how could he explain that to her? The he had come to that conclusion before. Because Viktor died and everything that made life mean anything was gone. That imagining his life without Viktor there was so incompressible to him that he chose to die along side him rather than return to a life without his presence. That coming to this world felt like a gift. That he would have time with Viktor again, to just be them, to be together without any of the other bullshit…only to discover that the lives the inhabited were mired in bullshit. More bullshit, worse bullshit.

Harder to navigate bullshit. It all seemed less straightforward.

The car slowed as they pulled into the restaurant’s driveway behind Alex’s stupid giant vehicle. Jayce parked, then climbed out and circled around to open Meg’s door for her.

“Fancy,” she teased as she stepped out, smoothing her skirt.

Jayce chuckled. “Least I can do.”

They made their way toward the restaurant, Alex already waiting impatiently near the entrance. But Jayce’s thoughts remained on the conversation, Meg’s words echoing in his mind. It did mean something. It meant everything. That epiphany back in their old life, when Viktor died it was like everything in his mind clicked into place. What he wanted, what he truly wanted, was to spend his life tucked away in the lab with him. Discovering things and building machines and perfecting magic…but also just being with Viktor. His funny little quips, his intelligence, his everything.

Who cared about prestige, about power when he had Viktor with him, doing science….and now doing each other. Wow, that was cheesy even in his mind, but his thoughts wondered to last night, having Viktor in that lovely position, his hips propped up on a pillow—the lovely expanse of his back on display and pushing those beads slowly into his lubed hole. The little groans he made as Jayce pulled them out one by one. It had been revolutionary and now Jayce wanted to try all the different “toys” in that drawer.

The restaurant was every bit as upscale as Meg suggested, with crisp white tablecloths, gleaming silverware, and conversation mingling with the soft clink of glasses. Jayce barely noticed. He followed Alex, Meg and the hostess to the reserved table near the back with the large windows overlooking the city and took his seat without comment, his mind still on memories from last night. Anything to keep his thoughts off the horrors he was learning about this version of himself.

The people they were meeting were already seated at the table. Alex launched into the presentation as soon as they were settled. He was in full control, commanding the room and fielding questions from the other executives. It reminded Jayce of the symphony of shaking hands and making deals with all the elites of Piltover. Alex was the embodiment of all of that.

Jayce sat back, trying to look engaged but finding it increasingly difficult to focus. His thoughts kept pulling him elsewhere—to Viktor, to the revelations piling up, and to the strange weight of existing in a life that felt simultaneously his and not his at all. How he was becoming comfortable with the desire to stay, whether those versions of themselves wanted to come back or  not but also grappling with what those versions left of their lives. The mess he and Viktor were going to have to clean up.

He was nodding along to something Alex was saying, only half-hearing the conversation, when a soft vibration in his pocket drew his attention. He glanced down discreetly and slid his phone out.

Vi: We hitting the gym today, pretty boy?

Jayce blinked, amusement pulling at the corners of his lips. He tapped out a quick reply.

Jayce: When?

The response was almost instant.

Vi: I don’t know, like 4 PM as per usual.

Jayce: I’ve got Viktor with me today.

There was a pause, then two messages in rapid succession.

Vi: Well, leave him at home.
Vi: Wait, he’s with you at the office, or you stayed home with him again? WTF?

Jayce couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped. He replied quickly.

Jayce: Yeah, he came with me today.

Vi: Well, take him home and come work out.

Jayce: I’ll see what he wants to do.

Vi’s reply came immediately, loud and teasing even through text.

Vi: Whipped, dude. You’re so fucking whipped.
Vi: Let me know. We can get a drink at my dad’s after.

Jayce slid the phone back into his pocket, glancing around the table to make sure no one had noticed his brief distraction. Alex was still talking, completely absorbed in whatever deal he was hammering out. Meg, seated next to Jayce, caught his eye for a moment and raised an eyebrow.

Jayce leaned toward her, lowering his voice. “Can you reschedule Mrs. Kiramman for first thing Monday?”

Meg nodded, pulling out her phone to make a note. “Got it,” she murmured, before returning her attention to the meeting.

--------------

Viktor sat in Jayce’s office alone for the first time that morning. As the day progressed the worse he was beginning to feel. He had ventured out into the office around noon in search of Jayce only to discover he had left for his lunch meeting. Viktor had then found a little kitchen full of food, sandwiches and snacks apparently provided by the company. He had chosen a sandwich and a bottle of water and had had his lunch alone in Jayce’s office.

He was rather upset to be banned from the lab until farther notice. He had enjoyed being in there. It felt like a life time had passed since the last time he was able to put his mind to work in such a way. He wondered how this Viktor survived being a teacher instead of a scientist. He had always disliked teaching. The elite students at the academy never took him seriously and he hated being on display like that especially as his leg had worsened. That he actively pursued the vocation was interesting. He supposed he would discover on Monday if it was something he would wish to continue…that thought was curious. It was as if he planned on staying here for any prolonged amount of time. It wasn’t that he particularly wanted to…leave, but he and Jayce hadn’t yet made the decision to stay either.

 The chair he’d taken at Jayce’s desk was uncomfortable. He chose to eat here instead of the sitting area because the table was so low. Across the desk lay an assortment of photographs in various frames, their placement was interesting. His gaze ran over the images. Most of them were of himself, but there were a few of Jayce’s mother, a couple of him and Cait but Viktor was more interested in looking over the ones of himself.

The first photograph was unmistakably of their wedding—he could tell by the formal attire they wore. They looked like children they were so young, they couldn’t have been older than 22 or 23. Viktor seemed to be wearing some kind of corseted vest and a red suit. Jayce was all in white. It was a candid of them mingling during the reception. Jayce’s head was thrown back, laughing uproariously at something a man in front of them said…a man who looked startlingly like Jayce himself. Next to that man was Jayce’s mother and Viktor wondered if he was Jayce’s father. In their old life Viktor had never met the man, he had passed when Jayce was a teen.

Another showed Viktor seated on the burgundy loveseat in their bedroom. He was reading, one leg tucked beneath him, utterly absorbed in whatever book he held. His hair was pulled up into a bun but most of it was still falling out. It was a candid shot, clearly taken by Jayce, the warm lighting giving it a dreamlike quality. Considering the picture Jayce had on his phone and this, it seemed the man had a habit of taking candid photos of Viktor.

Then there was one from what Viktor assumed was from traveling. It at least did not appear to be the city that they were currently residing in. Jayce had taken it at arm’s length, the camera tilted slightly. Behind them rose a pointed, iconic tower that Viktor vaguely recognized as if from a dream. One of these memories that aren’t his just out of reach. Jayce’s grin was infectious, his arm around Viktor, who appeared mid-laugh.

He let his attention shift to another photo, this one of Jayce kneeling on a beach, holding something out to Viktor. It didn’t take long for the realization to hit. This was the proposal—confirmed by the matching photographs in their apartment. The one on Jayce’s nightstand and by the entry way. Pictures from the day Jayce proposed to him. Viktor’s heart ached slightly, though he wasn’t sure if it was the remnants of sentimentality from this world’s Viktor or his own emotions bleeding through.

The last frame held a picture of them looking impossibly young, seated in what had to be a dorm room. The space was a disaster, cluttered with books, wires, and half-empty mugs. Viktor was perched on Jayce’s lap wearing one of his band shirts looking like he hadn’t slept in a week, and Jayce’s expression was one of unabashed happiness, his grin broad and boyish.

It was interesting, that this Viktor and Jayce were having such issues when it seemed so obvious to him that they were in love with each other. Jayce kept himself surrounded by photos of Viktor, was concerned and worried about Viktor, texted Viktor everyday about dinner, how he was feeling. He understood that the weapons drove Viktor away from this place. He and his own Jayce had very similar arguments though this world seemed so different from Runeterra. Perhaps if things had not been so dire at the time they would have had more cause to fight with each other. Viktor wondered what it would have been like if he hadn’t been dying during everything with the council and the hextech weapons back in their lives.

But then again it was the direness of the situation that had Jayce creating the weapons in the first place. Viktor didn’t think that he would have done what he did back in their old life if those people hadn’t died on that bridge. He didn’t think that Jayce would have been so out of control if Viktor wasn’t on the brink of death. Those things influenced his Jayce and his ability to make decisions. There was also Mel who maneuvered Jayce into the position that put all of those things on his shoulders.

Without all of those factors. If it had just been Jayce deciding that weaponry was the direction they should go…It was hard to think about, but he imagined they would have been fighting about it. So it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Viktor leaned back in the uncomfortable chair. He did not feel well. In fact he felt quite poorly. His chest while not prompting him to cough was radiating pain, his stomach was roiling even after finishing his meal and his head was pounding like a drum. He wondered how long he was going to be trapped in this office waiting for Jayce to be done with all his meetings so they could go back to the apartment. Home.

Viktor left the desk and it’s uncomfortable chair and made his way to the small seating area, and despite the fact that this was a public office that anyone could come in, he laid down on the leather couch, trying to breathe through the discomfort. His peace only lasted a few minutes before the door swung open, and Mel Medarda strode in like she owned the place. Her sharp gaze landed on him, and for the briefest moment, she froze, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing her face.

“Viktor?” she asked, her usually smooth voice catching slightly. “What… are you doing here?”

He sat up slowly, careful not to betray the discomfort gnawing at him. “I have taken the week for my health,” he said evenly, his tone detached. “Jayce wished to bring me with him today.”

Mel’s eyebrows rose, her surprise shifting into something more guarded. “Jayce… and you agreed?”

Viktor gave a small shrug, the corner of his mouth tilting upward in a faint smirk. “I am here, am I not?”

She blinked, momentarily thrown off before regaining her composure. “I just mean… it’s unexpected. You’ve been steadfast in not setting foot in this building for five years. It’s rather shocking, is all.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, studying her reaction. “Shocking, perhaps,” he replied, “But not unprecedented. Jayce was… persuasive.”

Mel tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “He can be, can’t he?”

There was a pause, the air between them taut with unspoken thoughts. Viktor let the silence linger just long enough to feel pointed before asking, “Do you often barge into Jayce’s office unannounced?”

Her spine straightened at the subtle jab. “No,” she replied crisply. “As a matter of fact, this was… an emergency.”

“Ah.” Viktor’s gaze flickered toward the door before returning to her. “You may be disappointed, then. He is in meetings all day.” He gestured vaguely toward the door. “I have been… exiled from the lab, so I must remain here.”

Mel’s eyes softened, though the guilt beneath her polite expression was subtle Viktor could still see it clear as day. “I see. I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis,” she said, her tone carefully measured. “I... I wasn’t sure how to reach out.”

“Thank you,” Viktor replied, keeping his face neutral. He wasn’t sure what he felt about this show of sympathy, but he wasn’t inclined to dig into it now. The Mel of their own universe never reached out to him about his disease. She had always preferred to do all of her dealing with Jayce, so they rarely interacted with each other without him present in some compacity. He let the silence stretch again, his eyes scanning her, reading every flicker of discomfort she tried to mask.

Mel cleared her throat lightly, shifting her weight. “You seem… different,” she said, her tone tentative, almost as if she were testing the waters.

Viktor tilted his head. “Do I?”

“You do,” she said, though she didn’t elaborate. Another pause passed before she added, “This must be… difficult for you, being back here.”

Viktor gave a noncommittal hum, leaning back slightly. “Not really.”

Mel studied him for a moment, her polished exterior cracking just enough for something more vulnerable to slip through. “Oh, good, then.”

There was another beat of silence before Viktor gestured toward the chair across from the couch. “You are welcome to wait for Jayce here,” he offered, his tone even but cool. “He should return eventually.”

Mel hesitated, then nodded, taking the offered seat. “Thank you.” She smoothed her skirt, her gaze flitting briefly toward the desk before returning to Viktor. “Shall I ask Meg to bring us some tea? She doesn’t seem to be at her desk but I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.”

Viktor’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles. “That would be appreciated.”

“I’ll send her a message,” Mel said, already reaching for her phone.

As she typed, Viktor watched her carefully, his mind churning.

--------------

Jayce hurried through the open space of the office, ignoring the curious glances of passing coworkers. His day had been a mess of back-to-back meetings, half of which he barely understood. Meg had been a lifeline, feeding him notes and redirecting conversations when his confusion became too obvious. This wasn’t his life—he didn’t want it to be. The moment he stepped into his office, he planned to grab Viktor and get out. The only lifeline in his day was knowing that Viktor was here, and he was going to be able to go home with him and possibly entice him into bed again. Maybe go to the gym with Vi if Viktor wanted to join them.

Jayce pushed open the door to his office, already calling out, “Hey, V, Vi texted me about meeting up at—” He froze mid-sentence.

Viktor was seated in the small sitting area, teacup in hand, legs crossed. Across from him, perched just as comfortably, was Mel.

Jayce blinked, his thoughts halting as though hitting a wall. The sight of Mel triggered something—a sharp, dull ache at the base of his skull. The pain bloomed and memories he didn’t want were clawing their way to the surface. He gritted his teeth and shoved them back down, forcing a smile. He couldn’t deal with them right now, he needed to get out of here.

“Jayce,” Viktor said, his voice smooth as he glanced up. “Are you alright?”

Jayce blinked again, clearing his throat. “Are you ready to go? Uh—have you been here the whole time?”

Mel set down her teacup, her composed demeanor flickering into something softer, almost uncertain. “Actually, Jayce, I was hoping to have a word.”

“Oh, uh, is it an emergency?” Jayce stammered, stepping further into the room but keeping his focus on Viktor who seemed paler than usual. “I—uh, have somewhere to be,” He turned to Viktor, guilt softening his voice. “Sorry for abandoning you today. It’s been a nightmare, I promise.”

Viktor rose from his seat, brushing imaginary dust from his slacks and taking up his cane. “I hope this place you have to be is home,” he said dryly. “I am not feeling very well.”

Jayce was at his side in an instant, a hand hovering near Viktor’s elbow. “What do you mean, you’re not feeling well? What happened?”

“It is nothing serious,” Viktor said, brushing him off gently. “I think I can find my way to the car if you wish to speak with Ms. Medarda. Where are the keys?”

Jayce shook his head. “No, I’ll come down with you. We can go home.”

Viktor’s gaze narrowed. “Jayce—”

Mel cut in, her tone professional but laced with a rare hesitation. “I’ll be quick, Jayce. I just feel like we... need to touch base.”

Jayce turned to her, the pressure in his head building again. He forced himself to keep his expression neutral. “Can we touch base on Monday?”

Mel blinked, clearly thrown off. She recovered quickly, but not quickly enough to hide the flicker of awkwardness in her usual poise. “Oh, can we not speak sooner, will you not be in tomorrow?” she asked smoothly.

“No we have a thing tomorrow, but I’ll be in on Monday.” Jayce said, he was trying not to be curt but the longer he looked and spoke to her the worse his head pounded. The more the memories he was trying to suppress screamed in his mind.

Mel nodded, “Of course, Monday, then,” she turned to Viktor. “I’m sorry, Viktor. I didn’t realize you weren’t feeling well. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“It is nothing out of the ordinary. I enjoyed your company, Mel,” Viktor replied, dismissive.

Mel looked uncomfortable for a moment then she was back to her impassive self, “I enjoyed seeing you as well, It’s been too long. I hope your face becomes common place here again. We have all missed you dearly.”

“Thank you.” Viktor said, though it came out more confused than genuine. The entire time they had in the office waiting for Jayce to finish had been spent in awkward small talk and stilted silence. He and Mel had not had much more than a distant professional relationship back in their old lives and he imagined it wasn’t much different here. Especially now that he didn’t even work for the company she patroned, he doubted his alternate and she had spoken to each other at all in the past five years.

Jayce offered Mel a polite nod before guiding Viktor toward the door. As they passed Meg’s desk, she gave them a cheerful goodbye, but Jayce barely managed a distracted wave. He kept his hand on Viktor’s lower back as he led them out of the office. The elevator doors closed behind them, and Jayce finally let out a long, frustrated breath.

The elevator hummed softly as it descended. Viktor leaned against the wall, his head tipped back, and eyes closed. The pale light cast long shadows across his sharp features, making him look even more worn than usual.

“You’re not feeling well?” Jayce asked, his voice laced with concern, “You seemed ok this morning.”

Viktor cracked one eye open, the corners of his lips twitching faintly. “Mmmm. It came on me down in the lab. Subtle, but unpleasant enough that I do not feel up to any more adventures today.”

“That’s alright,” Jayce said, “We can go home.”

Viktor opened both eyes now, looking at Jayce. “You said Vi texted you?”

“Yeah,” Jayce admitted, scratching the back of his neck. “She wants to meet at the ‘gym’ around…well…now. Then go to her father’s bar for a drink.”

Viktor hummed, pushing himself off the elevator wall as they reached the garage. “Ah. You should go. Take me home first and meet her.”

Jayce frowned as they walked toward the car. “I’m not going to leave you alone like this, V.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Jayce,” Viktor said, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “We need to figure out this world, hmm? Go figure it out.”

Jayce opened the car door for Viktor, who rolled his eyes. “I can get my own door, Jayce.”

“I know you can,” Jayce replied with a grin. “I want to. It makes me feel good to do it.”

Viktor sighed but slid into the seat without further protest, swatting Jayce’s hand away when he leaned in to help.

As Jayce settled into the driver’s seat and pulled out of the parking garage, he cast Viktor a sidelong glance. “I don’t think going to the gym and then getting a drink is exactly important right now.”

“You’re right,” Viktor said quietly, eyes fixed on the passing city streets. “What is important is you leaving me alone for a few hours. You seem…uptight. Go do something physical. Let me go home and sleep on my own for a while.”

Jayce hesitated, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “You seem irritated.”

“I am not,” Viktor replied, though his clipped manner betrayed him. He sighed, softer this time. “I am just not feeling well, Jayce. I want you to go do this thing with Vi without worrying about me. Can you do that?”

Jayce fell silent, the tension in his shoulders easing as he absorbed Viktor’s words. He understood—Viktor had always been private, fiercely independent. He didn’t want to be coddled. He used to disappear, sometimes for days. They had been together since they got to this world. Not a second apart until today and they were trapped at that hellscape of an office the whole time they were separated. Jayce wondered for a moment if he would have preferred being there are back in the wasteland eating salamanders at the bottom of a gorge. It was a close call.

“Yeah, okay,” Jayce said finally. “I’ll go out with Vi. You’ll send me a message if you need me?”

“Yes,” Viktor said, his voice already distant as he leaned his head against the window.

Jayce pulled into the garage and parked. He turned toward Viktor, hesitating as if searching for the right words. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Viktor waved a hand dismissively, already reaching for the door handle. “Go, Jayce. Do not make me repeat myself.”

Jayce frowned but didn’t push further. “Alright,” he said softly, watching as Viktor stepped out of the car.

As Viktor disappeared into the building, Jayce lingered for a moment, his hand resting on the wheel. He shook his head, exhaling sharply. “Alright, Vi,” he muttered to himself. “Let’s figure out this world.”

He touched the little handle icon on the view screen, and it changed from the map view to a “call log.” He searched Vi’s name and pressed it.

“Hey, you gonna show up or what?”

“What’s the address so I can put it in my map?”

--------------

Jayce parked in the gym’s lot and stepped out of the car, stretching his arms overhead. Vi was already waiting for him, leaning against a motorcycle with her arms crossed and her expression half amused. Her’s looked different from Viktors. It was red for one, and looked like it was probably older.

“Where’s your bag?” she asked as he approached.

Jayce paused mid-step. “Oh, uh—” He glanced back at the car, suddenly realizing he hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Hold on.”

Returning to the car, he scanned the interior. There wasn’t a bag in sight. He stood back confused for a minute. Why hadn’t he thought to go upstairs for a change of clothes? Probably because Viktor seemed to be in a mood. He felt like shit abandoning him today, he had thought Viktor would have spent his time in the Lab but according to Meg he had been banned from entering due to some legal nonsense. She had been called away to bring tea to his office and the thought that Vikter wasn’t alone hadn’t even crossed his mind it was so occupied with everything he was learning about this evil version of himself. Evil was probably a strong word. He should have known he would walk in to find Mel accompanying him. Viktor would have never called someone else to make him tea. The knowledge that his partner had had to sit in that dull grey office for several hours on his own made Jayce feel guilty enough, then to add the awkward social interaction between Mel was probably the cherry on top that made Viktor want to be left alone.

Viktor and Mel were two things that had their own separate places in Jayce’s mind. They never fully intersected. From the beginning of their partnership Mel had always preferred to do her business through Jayce, Viktor was not interested in the intricacies of funding and networking and all the front facing aspects of Hextech. That was left to Jayce entirely. Sure Viktor would show up to a gala or two but that was few and far between and became more rare as his body deteriorated, the worse his leg got the harder it was to convince him to leave the lab let alone go to a party. Viktor and Mel also while knowing each other is the most detached sense of the word…didn’t seem to enjoy each other much.

Viktor had been Heimerdinger’s assistant for years and thus had his fair share of interactions with the other councilors, but they all seemed to ignore his presence. Viktor preferred it that way. It was one of Viktors strange contradictions, he wanted acknowledgement, and he wanted to leave his mark on the world, but he also didn’t like being in the spot light. Though after everything that happened that might have bene entirely tied to his shame connected with his bodies weakness. Jayce remembered the confidence Viktor had as he strode into the council chamber with that…machine body. The moment he didn’t perceive himself tied down by the limitations of his human form he was fine with being in the limelight it seemed.

 Lost in his thoughts he looked at the little black button fob that controlled the car on his key ring. One of the buttons had a little icon that looked like a hatch opening. Curious, he pressed it. A quiet click sounded from the back, and a compartment popped open. There was a space in the back for holding things. It had an emergency box and some bright orange triangle cones and there it was.

His gym bag.

“Well, that’s convenient,” Jayce muttered, grabbing it before returning to Vi.

She eyed him with a raised eyebrow. “You seem out of it.”

“You’re the second person to tell me that today,” Jayce admitted, hefting the bag over his shoulder.

Vi didn’t miss a beat. “You and Viktor doing couples therapy or some shit?”

Jayce froze, “What?!”

“I was going to wait to ask until we got to The Last Drop, but you are so fucking zoned out I’m scared you’ll kill yourself in there.”

“Why would you think that?” Jayce sputtered, completely thrown for a loop.

Vi smirked. “What, you both play hooky to fuck, then you take the day off yesterday and today you’re having a field trip to the office—where, by the way, he hasn’t stepped foot in like five years—that sounds like therapy homework to me.”

Jayce blinked, still trying to process the rapid-fire accusation. “That’s… no! What?!”

Vi shrugged as they walked toward the gym entrance, “Hey, there’s no shame in it. I mean if its working why would there be?”

Jayce sputtered following her, “What do you know about couples therapy?”

“Not couples therapy,” Vi replied matter-of-factly. “But when we were kids, our dads stuck Powder and I in grief counseling and therapy bullshit to deal with our parents dying. Then Powder, you know, with her dissociative disorder thing.”

Vi made a sort of wavy motion at her temple and Jayce faltered, momentarily thrown by the revelation. Vi didn’t elaborate, her expression unreadable. She opened the door for him when they got to the entrance, and he walked through.

“Sorry,” he said, his voice softer.

Vi shrugged again, brushing it off. “Just saying, is that what’s going on? Your therapist telling you guys to spend more intimate time together? Bridge the gaps—forgiveness solves all?”

“There’s no therapist,” Jayce said firmly, shaking his head. “We weren’t lying. We both must’ve eaten something—got sick, went home, felt better. You know?”

Vi side-eyed him as they walked through the gym. Jayce let his eyes wander over the massive space. There were gyms in Piltover, but he had never needed to go to one. He was always an active sort of person, pushups and sit ups in the lab helped him think, then working in his forge and the occasional run seemed to be enough to keep himself in shape. There were so many machines and different equipment he actually found himself excited to try this.

“Yeah, I don’t often get sick enough to throw up all over a meeting, go home, and then screw Cait.”

Jayce groaned, rubbing his temple with one hand. “I don’t need to hear about that!”

Vi snickered, clearly enjoying his discomfort as they reached the locker rooms. She jerked her thumb toward the far side of the gym. “I’ll meet you at the bench press.”

Jayce nodded, trying to shake off the awkwardness as he stepped into the men’s locker room.

--------------

The apartment was still and quiet when Viktor shuffled out of the bedroom. Only the entry light was on again, he wondered if it ever turned off. He had thrown on one of Jayce’s t-shirts from the hamper in the bathroom, the fabric hanging loosely off his slight frame. He rubbed at his eyes, still heavy with the weight of sleep and turned on one of the lamps in the living room before moving on to the kitchen. It filled the space with soft warm light.

The clock over the stove blinked 8:03 p.m., confirming it had been hours since he'd fallen into bed earlier that afternoon. Jayce still wasn’t home. Viktor found himself oddly relieved by the absence—not because he didn’t enjoy Jayce’s company, but because he wasn’t accustomed to being around someone so constantly. He needed a break, a moment to himself, the apartment enveloped in quiet.

Viktor set about making tea. Jayce had found the pantry, it was hard to call it that when it seemed to be it’s own full room off the side of the fridge. He chose peppermint as the box indicated it was good for an upset stomach. The motions were becoming easier now, his hands more confident as they moved between cabinets and countertops. A kettle, a cup, a teabag—each step a soothing rhythm. The process of it relaxing his mind. While the water boiled, he pulled out bread for toast, and slipped it into the toaster that now lived on the counter top after Jayce had found it that morning in one of the lower cabinets. Buttering it generously once it was ready. Simple. Comforting.

As he carried his plate and tea to the counter, his eyes fell on the large plastic pill divider. The label for Thursday Night stared back at him, the compartment still full. He’d taken the morning dose and the previous day’s pills, but something gnawed at him as he stared at tonight’s dose.

Jayce’s words from one of their text arguments surfaced unbidden in his mind: “He put you on a bunch of drugs that make you feel like shit.”

Viktor frowned, running his fingers along the ridged edge of the divider. He hadn’t put much thought into it before, but now… Jayce might have a point. He certainly felt like shit.

The certainty of one thing solidified in Viktor’s mind: they hadn’t been sent here to maintain the status quo. They were here to fix what was broken, to change what needed changing. And it was becoming increasingly clear that something about him—his health, his treatment—was part of what was broken.

Taking a steadying breath, Viktor closed the pill divider, pushing it to the side. He would hold off on the medication until they met with this Dr. Reveck and learned more about the experimental treatments.

Viktor sat at one of the bar stools and ate his toast in the blessed silence. When he was finished, tea in hand, Viktor wandered into his study. For a moment he remembered the locked drawer, but after looking around the desk a little for a key and coming up empty he decided to leave it again for another day. There was time, he was also sure that whatever was hidden in there would possibly ruin his night and he didn’t want to deal with that now. On top of the desk lay a few textbooks, their spines marked with titles relevant to the classes he apparently taught. He picked up two—one on Physics and another on Advanced Chemistry—and carried them back into the living room.

He set the books on the coffee table and turned toward the record player. He had let Jayce pick all the music the first night as they danced around the living room. Or more accurately Jayce danced and just lifted Viktor along for the ride. Flipping through the records, he stopped at one with a curious title: Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Viktor huffed a soft laugh, amused by the absurdity of the name. That was reason enough to choose it.

He lifted Hozier off the player and replaced it in its sleeve and set the new record to playing. The first notes filtered through the room, a surprisingly soothing sound to what he wasn’t expecting from the name. Viktor sank into the couch, opening the Physics 1 textbook.

--------------

The bar’s dim lighting, sticky floors, and worn wooden counters made The Last Drop feel like home—or at least, the kind of home you came back to when the world felt too big. Vi  was slouched on a stool next to Jayce. There were half-empty bottles of beer and a collection of empty shot glasses surrounding them. Jayce had his head pillowed on his arms on the bar top. They had spent two hours in the gym, got food then came straight here and without even realizing it had started to down beers left and right.

They had started off at the pool table and Jayce blames being distracted by the game for how much he drank. Vi was a way better player than he was and he considered himself pretty good at it. Not that he got to play much in his previous life. After Vi wiped the floor with him for the sixth time they moved themselves to the bar.

Vi was ranting about her sister, her voice was louder than she probably intended, slurring slightly as she gestured animatedly with her hands. “Then she throws it in my face—like, ‘oh, without Vander and Silco we’d be in the system forever!’ And okay, yeah, I get it, I do. I get that Ekko had to go through the system a while until he was set up with Benzo. Mylo and Claggor, too. I’m not ignorant about this shit. But like... now she’s just—she’s giving up her whole life! She’s saddling herself with a kid! It’s like, what the hell, Powder? She doesn’t even get what a huge responsibility that is. She’s 21!? Barely allowed to fucking…to fucking drink, bro! Maybe it’s because she’s the younger sister, y’know? She doesn’t know what it’s like to...to lose your life raising someone when you’re too fucking young.”

Vi took a long swig of her beer, slamming it down with a little too much force. “I told her marrying Ekko was a bad idea—too young, way too fucking young! But nope, off to Vegas they go, and now what? They’re fostering a kid? Trying to adopt? Like, why are they running headfirst into this?”

Jayce shrugged lifting his head to take another drag off one of the beers closest to himself.

“And Cait... Cait’s talking about marriage now, and I’m like, what’s the rush, huh?” She tilted her head at Jayce, her expression conspiratorial. “No offense, but look at you and Viktor. You guys got married young. Like... what, 21? 22? And now, ten years later, bam, brink of divorce. Maybe we should just... wait. Be together for a while, y’know? We just moved in with each other. And part of me, bro, part of me wonders... is Caitlyn only with me to, like, rebel against her parents? Denying their money, going into law school to be a public defender instead of corporate to piss them off... You ever think about that? Like... Viktor with you?”

Jayce blinked, his brain lagging a step behind her drunken tirade. He squinted, trying to piece together what she meant. “Do I think Viktor’s...rebelling against his parents? I’m pretty sure his folks are dead.”

Vi groaned, tossing her head back. “No! Like... did he marry you for... other reasons? Like, sure, he loved you, but maybe it was also for... something else? Like, what about his VISA? Maybe he didn’t even realize it was for...whatever reason?”

Jayce shook his head, the warmth of the alcohol softening his voice. “Nah. Viktor married me because he loved me. Loves me. I know he loves me. My Viktor is in love with me. Those other versions of us... whoever they were... I don’t know them. But I know us, Vi. And the us I know? We love each other.”

Vi nodded solemnly, tipping her glass toward him in a wobbly toast. “Dude, that’s so fucking right. Like, who even are those other versions of us? Why can’t it just... be, y’know? I don’t wanna fuck this up. I don’t want Cait to hate me someday.”

Jayce’s voice turned soft, his words stumbling over each other in reverence. “I want Viktor to live forever. I’d give my life for it. I’d... die for him. A million times. Right now, if it meant he didn’t have to die. But then... we wouldn’t be together. And I don’t know what’s worse.”

Vi leaned back, her expression suddenly somber, “Shit, dude... Sometimes I forget all that’s going on.”

Jayce let out a drunken sigh, his voice taking on a dreamy tone, “He’s so fucking pretty. Beautiful. A god. His face is like…his eyes, you know. They’re like gold sometimes when the light… and he’s got this mole—right above his nipple—and it’s like... whoever made him? They took their time. All the little details. Perfect.”

Vi barked out a laugh, slapping the counter, “Cait’s got this gap in her teeth, and it’s so fuckin’ cute. And she’s so... tall and skinny. Fuck, she’s shaped like a mongoose. It’s so fucking hot.”

Jayce grinned, “Viktor’s shaped like...like...”

“Skinny as fuck, bro,” Vi laughed.

Jayce pointed at her, indignant, “Hey, hey, hey—yeah, he’s thin, but in a sexy way.”

Vi laughed, holding up her hands in surrender, “Damn straight.”

Jayce continued, “his body is like…perfect hand size.”

“The fuck does that even mean?” Vi was laughing uncontrollably now.

“That like…he fits in my hands, you know? His waist is like…” Jayce made a circle with his hands to simulate how his fingers could almost touch, “and his thighs too fit in one almost.” He adjusted one hand as if he was holding Viktor’s thigh and how close his fingers got.

Vi looked dumbfounded, “Bro, I can’t tell if you just have huge hands or if he’s really that fucking skinny.”

Jayce shrugged, “He’s got more weight on here…its different but it’s the same. Maybe a little more like,” He adjusted his hand wider to fit more what the body Viktor was in now was like as opposed to back in their past life.

“Him gaining weight is a good thing, right? Cait’s waist is like tiny as fuck, but my hands aren’t that big to like, get the whole thing.”

Before the conversation could devolve further, Vander appeared behind the bar, arms crossed. He was a large man, possibly the biggest man Jayce had ever seen in person this close up. His muscles bulged out of his shirt, and he had the appearance of someone who could take on a tank but the demeanor of a teddy bear.

“Alright, I think I’m cutting you two off. Jayce, am I gonna have to call Viktor to pick you up? Can he even get here?”

Jayce shook his head, Viktor wasn’t feeling well for one, for another Jayce was pretty sure the only vehicle that Viktor could drive was a motorcycle. “Nah, I can drive.”

 “No, you can’t. I’m getting you a cab. Vi, you crashing in your old room?”

Vi nodded, half-asleep already, “Yeah, yeah... fine.”

Silco, who was perched at the end of the bar with a red pen and a pile of papers in front of him, he spoke up without looking at them, “I hate knowing these things about my colleagues. Next time you get drunk in our bar, maybe pick a booth so I don’t have to hear about Viktor’s nipple mole?” His gaze flicked to Vi. “As for Jinx, dearest, it’s not exactly your business how she lives her life. She’s made that quite clear.”

Vi glared at him, swaying slightly on her stool, “It is my business! You always take her side!”

Vander sighed, coming around the counter, “Alright, Vi, time for bed. Jayce, your cab should be on the way. Silco, babe, can you watch the bar?”

“Of course.”

“He always takes her side, pop, its not fucking fair,” Vi grumbled as Vander led her to the back of the bar to a back door that Jayce assumed led to an upstairs apartment.

Jayce hesitated, staring at Silco. The man was so different from the haunted figure he remembered meeting on the bridge all those months ago. His face was... normal, unscarred. There was none of the danger to him. Jayce had been nervous to come here when Vi mentioned Silco’s name as one of her fathers, but he was going to have to get used to being surprised.

“What are you... what are you doing?”

“Grading the worst essays known to man.” Silco gestured to the papers in front of him with mild disdain.

Jayce blinked, “…You’re a teacher?”

Silco finally looked up, one eyebrow raised, “You’ve had a lot to drink, haven’t you? Best wait outside for your cab.”

--------------

Jayce stumbled into the apartment, the now familiar scent of home washing over him. The cab ride had sobered him somewhat, but his legs were still a little wobbly beneath him. He toed off his shoes at the door, keys landing on the small table with a clatter.

On the couch, Viktor glanced up from his book, his face lit in the soft glow of a single lamp. He was surrounded by an army of open books—some stacked on the floor, others spread across the coffee table, the nearest one propped against his knee. His legs were tucked beneath a throw blanket, his body draped in one of Jayce’s white T-shirts, loose and oversized on him. Jayce recognized it instantly. It made his groin tighten.

“Enjoy yourself?” Viktor asked, tilting his head, eyes already scanning him like he could see right through him.

“Yeah,” Jayce said, pausing in the middle of the room, his gaze fixed on Viktor like he’d never seen anything as beautiful as him before in his life. “It was good.”

Viktor closed his book, marking his place with a finger, his lips quirking at the corner. “Glad I made you go, then?”

Jayce snorted, yanking off his jacket and letting it fall somewhere behind him. His hands went to the hem of his shirt, tugging it up and over his head in one motion. “Sure, sure,” he muttered as he tossed it aside.

Viktor’s eyes tracked him, his head tilting just a fraction further. “What are you doing?”

“Getting comfortable,” Jayce said, his grin lazy, his hands already unbuttoning his slacks.

He caught Viktor’s face then—the quick, assessing glance down and back up, followed by the small, sharp smile Viktor tried to hide behind his book.

Caught you, Jayce thought, smirking as he shoved his pants down his legs.

“You’re reading?” Jayce asked, stepping out of the slippery material, now standing in nothing but his boxer briefs. He nodded toward the book in Viktor’s hands.

Viktor lifted the book so Jayce could see the cover: Advanced Theoretical Physics. He tapped it lightly, “I’ve been preparing for teaching,” he said, glancing at the stack of books around him. “It’s like... once I started today in the lab, a switch flipped in my mind. Then reading these—” He lifted the book, tilting it toward Jayce. “—it’s like I keep flipping more switches. It’s fascinating.”

Jayce’s heart did a weird little flip in his chest. God, he loved when Viktor got like this — when his intelligent mind was focused on something. It was magnetic.

“Yeah?” Jayce said softly, eyes fixed on him like he was something out of a dream. He knelt down on the floor where he was, his gaze never leaving Viktor’s face.

Viktor raised a brow, his eyes tracking him carefully now. “What are you doing?” he asked again, but his voice had shifted—warmer. Curious. Aware.

“Getting closer,” Jayce muttered, crawling forward on his hands and knees. He moved slowly, deliberately, until he was climbing up the couch, then between Viktor’s legs, his hands pressing into the cushions on either side of him. Viktor let out a small, startled laugh, his eyes darting down to track Jayce’s movement. Setting the book in his hands aside on one of the piles on the floor.

“Ah,” Viktor said, tilting his head back as Jayce slithered up his body. His hands hovered, unsure where to place them until Jayce settled fully against him. “Well, this is unexpected.”

Jayce didn’t answer. He buried his face in Viktor’s neck, his mouth moving over the skin, tasting his warm flesh, salty from the day and not having showered yet. It made Jayce’s cock stand immediately. He hummed, his voice low and rough. “Missed you.”

“It’s only been a few hours,” Viktor said, but his hands finally settled on Jayce’s shoulders, fingers curling in, a gentle press.

“Too long,” Jayce replied, pressing another kiss just below Viktor’s jaw. He could feel Viktor smile against him.

“You’re a fool,” Viktor muttered, letting his head fall against the armrest. His hands trailed down Jayce’s back, nails dragging lightly, making him shiver. “A big, needy fool.”

“Maybe,” Jayce admitted, his mouth still pressed to Viktor’s neck, his teeth scraping just a little. He could feel Viktor's sharp inhale, his body tensing beneath him. “How are you feeling? Better?”

“Mm, because you want to fuck me?” Viktor teased, his voice dry, but his legs shifted, his thighs bracketing Jayce's hips.

Jayce huffed a laugh against his throat. “I want to suck you off, then I want to eat you out, and then I want to fuck you,” he said, voice low and gravelly.

“Such lofty ambitions,” Viktor murmured, his breath catching as Jayce rocked his hips forward. “That does sound lovely.”

Jayce paused his ministrations, “How are you feeling?”

“I am alright, better now that I’ve had some toast and tea…I had something to discuss but it can wait. You are already so hard, darling.”

“Can you blame me?” Jayce asked, one hand sliding down to push the throw blanket off Viktor’s legs. The blanket crumpled to the floor, revealing Viktor’s pale thighs and white briefs — snug, simple, and criminally unfair. His legs shifted, the muscles in his thighs flexing as Jayce's fingers trailed over them. “Look at you,” Jayce muttered, eyes locked on him like a starving man. “You’re so fucking gorgeous. I could bite you.”

Jayce reached down and curled one hand around the underside of Viktor’s thigh just below the knee lifting it slightly. Yes it was bigger than their previous lives, but not by too much.

“Don’t you dare,” Viktor said, laughter threading through his voice even as his breath came faster.

Jayce grinned, leaning to the side and lifting Viktor’s leg higher like he might actually do it, snapping his teeth and then letting them graze Viktor’s thigh. Viktor’s leg twitched, and his hand tugged on Jayce’s hair, warning but not stopping him.

“Careful,” Viktor said, voice sharper now but still playful. “You’ll get more than you bargained for.”

“I’m prepared to pay the price,” Jayce muttered, eyes still locked on Viktor’s face. Jayce’s grin was wide, too wide, his gaze heavy-lidded. He was still a little sluggish from the drink.

“Mm, how reckless,” Viktor said, his eyes narrowing, “But tell me, are you planning to get to the point, or will you continue to tease me?”

Jayce’s grin only widened. He leaned in close, dropping Viktor’s leg back, his nose brushing Viktor’s cheek, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Do you want me to put my mouth to better use?”

Viktor let out a short, breathy laugh, his nails digging into Jayce’s shoulders now. “You are the most ridiculous man I have ever met,” he muttered, pulling Jayce in to kiss him, slow and sure.

Jayce melted into it. He’d never stop being stunned by how much Viktor was letting him have. How freely he was giving it. He let himself drown in it for a moment, his hands sliding up Viktor’s thighs, fingers tracing over every inch of soft skin and hard muscle. Grinding their cocks together. Viktor sighed into his mouth, his body pliant and warm beneath him.

Jayce reached between them, sliding his hand under the band of Viktor’s briefs, fingers wrapping around him in one slow, deliberate stroke. Viktor gasped into his mouth, his nails dragging down Jayce’s back now, sharp and grounding.

“Shall we move to the bedroom?” Viktor asked, his voice a little more ragged now, his forehead pressed to Jayce’s.

“Can I fuck you out here?” Jayce asked, already thumbing at Viktor’s waistband, pushing it lower. “Or is it uncomfortable?”

Viktor pulled him in for another kiss, deeper this time, his hands slipping lower, nails dragging over Jayce’s hips, his voice full of affection.

“Where,” Viktor muttered against his mouth, breath hot and uneven, “have you been all these years we’ve been together.”

“Right next to you,” Jayce whispered back as he pressed their foreheads together. “the whole time.”

Jayce shifted lower, trailing hot kisses down Viktor's chest, and nipping at his ribs just to feel the sharp inhale beneath him. He grinned, his hands already hooked into the band of Viktor's briefs, tugging them down slowly like unwrapping something precious.

"You’re absurd," Viktor said with a huff, his voice a little breathless now. He lifted his hips to help, eyes half-lidded and watching Jayce with that fond look in his eyes. "You act as if you’ve been deprived for years, not hours."

"I have been deprived," Jayce whispered, voice low and rasping, his lips brushing the line of hair below Viktor's navel. "Time moves differently when I’m not with you."

Viktor’s eyes narrowed at him, skeptical but amused. "That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard."

Jayce just hummed in response, nosing lower, tongue flicking out to taste his skin. His hands were firm on Viktor’s hips, thumbs digging into the soft edges around the bone. Viktor shuddered under him, his fingers curling in Jayce's hair, gripping tight but not pulling away.

"You are the most beautiful thing to ever walk this earth, any earth, the entire universe pales in comparison to you," Jayce muttered, his lips just barely grazing sensitive skin.

Viktor’s cock was hot and pulsing for attention, Jayce was enjoying ignoring it in favor of kissing and licking all the skin around it.

"Mm... I’ve changed my mind," Viktor gasped, head tilting back to rest against the arm rest. His legs falling wider, the muscles in his thighs relaxing, letting Jayce settle between them fully. "Keep talking nonsense if it gets me this kind of devotion."

Jayce grinned against him, breath hot, and his eyes flick up to watch Viktor watch him. Those golden eyes were as expressive as ever, a softness that was always there for Jayce, unguarded in a way that made Jayce’s chest ache. It felt like permission.

“Love you,” Jayce said quietly, his eyes still locked on Viktor’s face. His fingers digging into the flesh of his hips.

Viktor’s breath caught, eyes flickering briefly before he settled again, his smile smaller now but so much warmer.

“You’re drunk,” he said, but his hand moved, brushing through Jayce’s hair slowly, his fingers gentle against Jayce’s scalp.

“Not drunk enough to forget how much I love you,” Jayce replied, leaning forward to press a lingering kiss just above Viktor’s hip bone. His lips stayed there for a moment, letting it sink in. “Not drunk enough to forget any of this.”

Viktor’s fingers went still in his hair for just a second, then he moved them again, slower, stroking instead of gripping. His breathing had become softer too, his chest rising and falling in steady waves.

“Alright,” Viktor said quietly, voice like the hum of an engine finally easing to rest. His thumb pressed against Jayce’s temple in a slow circle. “Alright, I believe you.”

Jayce kissed him again, softer this time, pressing his mouth against the curve of Viktor's hip like it was sacred. Then he looked up, eyes wide and unashamed, a boyish grin pulling at his lips.

       Jayce shifted his weight, settling himself between Viktor’s legs, his knees pressing firmly into the cushions. His hands gripped Viktor’s thighs, fingers digging in just enough to ground them both. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t tease. He lowered his head, his mouth warm and certain as he took Viktor’s cock in slow.

Viktor's breath hitched sharply, his lips parting in a sudden, quiet gasp. His fingers twitched once in Jayce’s hair but didn’t pull—just hovered there, the weight of them a steady. His nails scratching lightly. His eyes stayed locked on Jayce, unblinking.

“...Jayce,” Viktor muttered under his breath, voice raspier now, quieter. “Jsi ke mně tak dobrý.” The foreign tongue gliding off Viktor’s lips without him even realizing it.

Jayce glanced up, his eyes catching Viktor’s, pupils blown wide, and it was unfair how he could still grin like that. His lips curved around Viktor’s cock in a way that shouldn’t have been possible—like he was smiling even now. All mischief, all love.

Jayce hummed, low in his throat, the vibration shooting up Viktor’s spine. Viktor sucked in a breath, his head tilting back just slightly, his fingers finally curling into Jayce’s hair, gripping with purpose now.

“Don’t do that,” Viktor warned, voice too unsteady to be a proper threat. “If you hum like that, I’ll—” He didn’t finish. Didn’t need to. Jayce knew.

Jayce hummed again. Louder this time.

Viktor’s hips jerked up, his control fraying, his thighs tensing under Jayce’s hands. His toes curling into the cushions. His fingers tugged on Jayce’s hair—not to stop him, just to feel him. He let out a quiet, rough sound that might’ve been a curse, his breathing quickening, unsteady.

“Tvrdohlavý idiot,” Viktor muttered, eyes fluttering shut for a moment before he forced them open again. He didn’t want to look away. Wouldn’t. He tilted his head down, eyes peering through half-lowered lids, watching Jayce like he was a problem he’d never quite figure out.

Jayce let himself slow down, dragging his mouth over Viktor’s cock with an aching, unhurried rhythm. He pulled back just enough to let his tongue trace the underside, lazy, like he had all the time in the world. His hands moved too, one sliding up to press his palm flat against Viktor’s stomach, feeling the shift of muscle under his touch.

Viktor’s chest rose and fell in time with it, his breathing shallow but controlled. His fingers stayed firm in Jayce’s hair, holding, not guiding. Trusting him to handle it. Trusting him to know exactly what he was doing.

“Don’t—” Viktor breathed out, sharp and urgent. His jaw tightened like he was biting down on the rest of the sentence. His fingers twitched in Jayce’s hair. He dragged them through slowly, loosening his grip. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Jayce pulled back far enough to speak, lips flushed, eyes still wide and unashamed. He tilted his head against Viktor’s thigh, his grin tilted and crooked in that familiar, infuriating way. “Like what?” he asked, breath hot against Viktor’s skin.

“Like you’re winning,” Viktor replied, his voice sharp and fond that it made something twist in Jayce’s chest. His thumb brushed the shell of Jayce’s ear, slow and steady, tracing him like an equation he couldn’t quite solve. “You always think you’re winning.”

“I am winning,” Jayce shot back, his grin widening, his breath coming out in a huff of laughter. His eyes softened as he gazed up at Viktor, his voice quieter now, more certain. “I already won.”

That made Viktor pause. His hand shifted to cup the back of Jayce’s head, his fingers threading through his hair, holding him there. It wasn’t a command. It was something far more dangerous.

“Then finish it,” Viktor said softly, his voice as steady as it had been when they’d first met, clear and cutting and undeniable. His eyes didn’t leave Jayce’s. Not for a second. “If you’re going to claim victory, earn it.”

Jayce’s breath hitched. His grin faltered for half a second—only half—before it came back hungrier, his fingers flexing against Viktor’s thighs. “Alright,” he said, his voice lower, rougher now. “Alright, I will.”

His mouth was slow at first, measured in the way it moved, the way his tongue traced every inch of him like he was mapping him out. Viktor’s breath came in short, quiet gasps, and he didn’t close his eyes. He wouldn’t give Jayce that satisfaction. But his fingers stayed tight in Jayce’s hair, keeping Jayce there.

Jayce didn’t fight it. He leaned in, let himself fall into it, let himself drown in it. The weight of Viktor in his mouth, the warmth of him, the way every inch of him moved and tensed and tasted. His own breath grew shallow as his heart beat faster.

This is mine.

He moved faster now, his rhythm picking up, his hands sliding up Viktor’s sides to feel the shift of him, to feel him shudder under his palms. Viktor hissed out a breath, his fingers tightening just slightly, his eyes narrowing like he wanted to focus but couldn’t.

“Jayce—” Viktor’s voice broke halfway through his name, his head tipping back against the couch, his breath spilling out in short, shaky bursts interspersed with the occasional cough. His legs tensed, his thighs pressing into Jayce’s sides. “Don’t—” His breath hitched again, his grip faltering just slightly. “Teď nepřestávej,” he muttered through clenched teeth.

Jayce made a sound in the back of his throat — something between a hum and a laugh — and didn’t stop. He enjoyed pushing Viktor until he spoke whatever native tongue was natural to this alternate version of him. He moved like he had a point to prove, like there was no world in which he’d stop before Viktor did. His hands gripped Viktor’s waist, almost circling it completely, holding him steady as his mouth worked him harder, faster, sharp and unrelenting.

Viktor’s breath stuttered, his grip faltering before it came back strong, his nails scraping lightly against Jayce’s scalp. His head tipped forward this time, his eyes snapping back down to watch, his gaze sharp and hazy all at once.

“Jayce—” He gritted out the name through his teeth, his voice cracking, and it was done. His thighs tensed one last time, his hips rocking forward in short, stuttering movements, his fingers pulling hard at Jayce’s hair, but Jayce didn’t move. Didn’t flinch. He just held him steady, his breath coming in slow, controlled pulls through his nose as he took it all in, his hands firm and steady on Viktor’s waist.

He didn’t move until Viktor's fingers went slack in his hair. Didn’t pull back until Viktor’s breathing evened out, slow and heavy, his body finally easing into the cushions. When Jayce finally did pull away, he sat back on his heels, hands still on Viktor’s thighs, eyes locked on him with that same bright, unashamed look.

Viktor stared at him for a long moment, his chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths. His eyes dropped to Jayce’s mouth—flushed, red, and a little swollen—then back up to his eyes. His gaze warm and open.

“You look so pleased with yourself,” Viktor said, voice still ragged but steadier now, his brow arching in mock disapproval.

“Turn over,” Jayce said, his voice warm but firm as his hands gently pressed at Viktor’s side, urging him to roll.

Still catching his breath, Viktor let out a dry laugh. “Mmm, you can’t be serious,” he murmured, half-buried in the cushions, his eyes heavy-lidded with exhaustion and satisfaction.

Jayce grinned, leaning in close, his breath hot against Viktor’s ear. “Oh, I am,” he said, slow and teasing, his hands trailing deliberately down Viktor’s sides. “Unless, of course, you don’t want to continue. I believe I described what I wanted — and I’m pretty sure it didn’t stop with me sucking you off.” He kissed the spot just below Viktor’s ear, his voice dropping to a husky murmur. “I think there were two other steps.”

Viktor hummed, letting his head fall to the side with a lazy smile. “Mm, yes, but those will have to be done in the bedroom, hmm? See any of the... mm, lubricant out here?” He shot Jayce a crooked, knowing look, eyes glinting with amusement even as his body remained comfortably sprawled.

Jayce huffed a short laugh, pressing his forehead to Viktor’s shoulder for a second like he was conceding defeat. “Alright, alright,” he muttered. He pulled back, eyeing the books scattered across the floor like landmines. “But don’t think I’m letting you walk there yourself.”

Before Viktor could argue, Jayce rose from the couch and slid his arms under him — one beneath his knees, the other under his back — and hoisted him up in one smooth, effortless motion. Viktor let out a startled laugh, his arms instinctively wrapping around Jayce’s neck. His head dropped against Jayce’s shoulder as he gave in, too tired and too comfortable to protest.

“I think I could get used to you carrying me around,” Viktor said, his voice still low and breathy, but there was a smile curling at the edge of it.

“You better,” Jayce shot back, grinning as he adjusted his grip, making sure Viktor was snug against his chest. “I don’t want you fighting it every time.”

He stepped carefully over the scattered books, eyes sharp for stray hardcovers that might trip him up. Viktor’s soft, breathy laughter followed him the whole way, and Jayce swore it was the sweetest sound he’d heard all night.

The bedroom was dimly lit, only the light green glow from a small plug in light in the bath room and the open windows, the bed slightly unmade from earlier. Jayce lowered Viktor onto the mattress with a kind of reverence, like he was setting something fragile down on sacred ground. Viktor sat up slowly, his fingers catching at the hem of the oversized white tee he’d been wearing. He started to tug it over his head, but Jayce’s hand shot out, catching his wrist mid-movement.

“No,” Jayce said, his gaze locked on him, eyes dark with something hungrier than before. His thumb brushed slowly over the inside of Viktor’s wrist. “I like it. I like seeing you wear my clothes.”

Viktor paused, his eyes flicking from Jayce’s face to his own wrist where Jayce’s fingers lingered, then back up. His lips twitched into a small, knowing smile. “Is that so?”

“Mmhm,” Jayce said, eyes dropping to take him in — his rumpled hair, his flushed cheeks, his long legs stretched out under the hem of that too-big shirt. “You look... perfect.”

Viktor gripped his neck and  pulled him down, catching him in a kiss. Slow, deep, and far too tender for the teasing edge they’d been playing at. It was the kind of kiss that made Jayce forget every other thought in his head. His hands cupped Viktor’s face, letting himself be consumed by the press of their mouths.

When they broke apart, Viktor scooted back, shuffling on his elbows toward the middle of the bed. Jayce watched, hungry eyes following every shift of movement, every flex of muscle as Viktor turned himself over. His legs stretched out, his arms folded beneath the pillow, and he arched his hips just enough to nudge it under him. He let out a slow exhale, letting himself settle, his eyes slipping closed like he was ready to be claimed.

Jayce stood at the edge of the bed for a moment, taking it all in—the stretch of Viktor’s back, the sharp lines of his shoulder blades, the smooth curve of his waist leading to the dip of his hips, all framed perfectly by the soft white fabric of his shirt. Jayce’s pulse kicked up like he had a second heartbeat.

He reached for the nightstand, pulling open the drawer with a quiet slide. The soft rattle of bottles and small objects echoed in the silence as he found what he was looking for. He glanced back at Viktor, who tilted his head to the side just enough to watch him from the corner of his eye.

“Don’t keep me waiting,” Viktor muttered, voice muffled by the pillow but clear enough for Jayce to hear.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Jayce replied as he climbed onto the bed behind him.

Jayce laid himself down on his stomach, setting the lube aside for now. He wanted to savor this, take his time with what was laid out before him. Somewhere between crawling up Viktor’s body on the couch and now, the haze from drinking all night had lifted completely. He felt fully lucid again.

He settled comfortably between Viktor’s legs, hands sliding up the backs of his thighs, fingers pressing firmly into muscle as he massaged his way upward. His touch was slow, savoring the softness of Viktor’s skin under his palms. When he reached Viktor’s ass, he squeezed, pulling him apart to expose him fully.

The room was dim, just what came in from the wide open windows, and the soft green glow from the plug-in light in the bathroom, enough to paint faint lines of light across Viktor’s skin. It wasn’t enough to see every detail, but it was enough to see this—the way Viktor tensed under his touch, the slow clench and release of muscle as he shifted against the sheets.

Jayce ran his thumb over the twitching hole, feeling the ruffled skin, letting himself linger just to feel it twitch beneath the pressure. Then his thumb slid down, pressing into the softer, delicate skin of his perineum.

Viktor gasped, his hips giving a sharp, instinctive jerk forward.

“Are you just going to look,” Viktor said breathlessly, voice rough with impatience, “or are you planning to eat me out?”

Jayce’s grin was pure heat. “Let me admire it for a moment.” His thumb traced slow, teasing circles into the pliant flesh.

“Admire?” Viktor huffed a short laugh, but his voice was strained. “You’re in rare form tonight, Jayce.”

“I liked when you called me darling earlier,” Jayce said, letting his words linger, savoring the way the title felt rolling off his tongue.

He didn’t wait for a reply. Lowering his head, he pressed his face between Viktor’s cheeks and dragged his tongue up from the base of Viktor’s sack to his hole in one long, intentional stroke. He did it slowly, savoring every inch of him, and the reward was instant—Viktor’s whole body jolted, his hips rolling forward as his hands clenched into the pillows near his head.

“Shit,” Viktor hissed, his voice cracking.

Jayce's eyes fluttered closed as he groaned into him, the low, satisfied rumble vibrating against Viktor’s skin. He settled in, licking with broad, wet strokes, his tongue working in steady, lazy circles. When he finally pointed the tip of his tongue and pressed it in, Viktor sucked in a sharp breath, his fingers twisting in the sheets beneath him.

Jayce was relentless. He licked like he was starving for it, tasting every inch, every ridge, letting his tongue breach him over and over. The only sounds in the room were wet, slick noises and Viktor’s soft, breathy moans. His hips began to shift, rolling forward with little, desperate movements.

Jayce could feel it—that telltale tension, the way Viktor’s thighs were gripping his body between them. He knew exactly what was happening. Viktor’s cock was pinned between his stomach and the pillow, the subtle drag of friction making him hard again. Jayce grinned to himself.

Not yet, darling.

He shifted, reaching under Viktor with one hand, his tongue never stopping its work. He found Viktor’s cock and tugged it free from where it had been trapped, letting it hang beneath him. No more friction. No more relief.

Viktor let out a guttural sound of dismay, his hips bucking against the sudden loss.

“Uh-uh,” Jayce murmured, voice muffled as he pressed his lips against the curve of Viktor’s ass. “Can’t have you finishing again before I fuck you.”

He kissed the soft skin of Viktor’s perineum, a slow, indulgent press of his mouth before he latched on, sucking just hard enough to make Viktor gasp. His toes curled, his thighs tensing like he was trying to hold on to something. Then Jayce nipped him—a sharp, teasing bite—just to hear the sound Viktor would make.

Viktor's head lifted, golden eyes sharp as he shot Jayce a look over his shoulder. His cheeks were flushed, his hair wild from being pressed into the pillow, and his voice came out in a low, heated growl.

“I need you to fuck me now, Jayce.”

Jayce chuckled, “But I’m not done,” he teased, dragging his teeth lightly along the back of Viktor’s thigh, just to be a menace.

Viktor let his head drop back to the pillow with a huff, but his fingers gripped the fabric tightly. His patience was razor-thin, and when he spoke again, his voice was hard as steel.

“Yes, you are. Oil me up and fuck me.”

The sharpness of it shot straight to Jayce’s core. His eyes flashed with something wild, something possessive, and he pressed one last kiss to Viktor’s skin before reaching for the lube.

“Since you asked so nicely, darling,” he muttered, grin sharp as ever as he uncapped the bottle with a soft click.

He didn’t waste time being thorough tonight—patience had abandoned him the moment he picked up the lube. It was like his body had reached its limit. His cock, which he’d been content to ignore before, now throbbed with urgency, hard and flushed, curving back toward his belly with a persistent ache.

Jayce slicked his fingers, coating them with the cool, slippery liquid. Without hesitation, he pressed two fingers into Viktor at once. Viktor’s head dropped forward, a groan tumbling from his lips, muffled by the pillow. Jayce moved with purpose, his fingers plunging in and out, curling just enough to brush against the spot that made Viktor jerk like he’d been shocked.

There it was.

He pressed his fingertips against it, he rubbed at that spot relentlessly, grinning when Viktor’s breath hitched into a sharp, breathy gasp. The sound cracked like static electricity in the air.

“Ah—fuck,” Viktor hissed, voice thin and stretched with pleasure. His hips moved without restraint, rocking back to meet Jayce’s hand with impatient demand. Every push-back came faster, more eager, as if his body had forgotten how to do anything else but chase that feeling.

“Look at you,” Jayce murmured, low and reverent, his gaze locked on Viktor's back as it flexed and rolled under the thin fabric of his shirt. “So desperate for it, V.” He rubbed at that spot, firm and unrelenting, until Viktor's voice broke into a raw moan, his hips jolting in tight, frantic stutters. "That’s it," Jayce said, voice ragged with affection and lust. "That’s my good boy.”

Viktor whimpered, teeth pressed into the pillow, fingers curling hard into the sheets.

But Jayce didn’t give him mercy. Not tonight. Not when Viktor was like this.

He added a third finger, sliding in with ease, but there was no gentleness in it—no hesitation. The stretch made Viktor’s breath come short, his muscles taut for a moment before they melted into submission. His head turned, his flushed cheek pressed to the pillow, his gold-brown eyes slivered open just enough to glance back at Jayce, his pupils blown wide and dazed.

“Jayce,” he groaned, raw and wrecked. “If you don’t f—”
But Jayce was already moving, already pulling his fingers free. Viktor’s voice caught on a harsh inhale, his body going tense with anticipation.

Jayce poured more lube into his hand, slicked it over his cock in quick, messy strokes, eyes fixed on Viktor’s back as it shifted with every uneven breath. Every tremor in Viktor's body, every small movement, had Jayce’s control slipping like sand through his fingers.

He lined himself up, one hand steady on Viktor’s hip, and pressed forward. The resistance gave way in a slow, maddening slide, inch by inch until his hips met Viktor’s with a quiet, breathless grunt.

Viktor's whole body arched, his head pressing into the pillows, and a deep, guttural moan rolled out of him, loud and unrestrained. "Jayce—!"

"Right here, V," Jayce rasped, his voice cracking like it was barely holding together. He folded himself over Viktor's back, arms snaking around him like a second skin. His weight settled over him, blanketing him completely. "Right here."

He didn’t pull back. Not at first. Just stayed there, buried to the hilt, letting Viktor feel every inch of him. Letting them both feel it. Jayce pressed his face into the curve of Viktor’s neck, breathing him in, his lips brushing skin like he could kiss the heat of him straight into his lungs.

Then he moved.

Slow, deep grinds. He didn’t pull his hips away. Just enough for the motion, his hips rocking in a tight, steady rhythm. Every push in made Viktor gasp, every drag out left them both breathless. Their bodies pressed flush together, skin-to-skin, chest-to-back, heat-to-heat, with nowhere to go but deeper.

“Jayce,” Viktor breathed, the name drawn out on a slow exhale, his voice scratchy from overuse.

“Yeah, V,” Jayce whispered back, his breath hot against Viktor's ear. His hips rolled remorselessly, grinding down slow and deep like he wanted to carve himself into Viktor's body. "Tell me what you need.”

Viktor didn’t answer at first, just dropped his head forward and let out a long, broken moan. Then his hand slid down, fumbling at his own body, trying to shift himself for relief. Jayce saw it coming and caught his wrist.

“Ah, no, no,” Jayce panted, lifting just enough to let Viktor’s arm twist beneath him. He pulled Viktor’s hand away from himself, pinning it to the mattress. “Not yet. Not until I say.”

“Bastard,” Viktor gasped, fingers flexing under Jayce’s grip, his body coiled with frustration. "You're unbearable."

Jayce only grinned, feral and full of affection. “You love it.”

Viktor huffed out a laugh, half-mad, half-exasperated, but didn't argue.

Jayce shifted his weight, bracing his knees on either side of Viktor’s thighs to give himself more leverage. He pushed up just enough to press his hands to Viktor’s hips, fingers gripping hard, steadying him as he drew back — slow at first, just to watch the way Viktor tightened around him — then slammed back in with a deep, sharp thrust.

Viktor jerked forward with a gasp, his face burying into the pillow, fingers clawing at the sheets. "Shit," he hissed, voice going high and breathless.

Jayce did it again. Harder this time. He pulled Viktor's hips back to meet him, his breath coming in quick, harsh bursts with every thrust. He couldn't stop. Didn't want to.

“Are you going to come, V?” Jayce's voice was hoarse, his jaw clenched so tight it hurt. His hips snapped forward with rhythm, driving into Viktor with every ounce of control he had left. “You gonna come just like this?”

Viktor's head shook side to side, his body trembling with tension. His voice cracked on the next breath, sharp and breathless. "Don’t stop, Jayce. Don’t stop—" He sucked in air like he was drowning, his breath ragged and wild. "Nezastavuj, nezastavuj, nezastavuj—"

“Fucking hell, Viktor.” Jayce’s breath hitched, his eyes squeezing shut as he dropped his head down against Viktor’s back, the words vibrating against his skin. "God, you have no idea how hot you are when you do that."

Viktor let out a sharp, gasping laugh, but it crumbled into a whimper as Jayce's pace quickened.

Jayce pulled his knees under him, lifting himself to drive in harder. His hands moved back to Viktor's waist, pulling him up, adjusting him on the pillow so he was arched just right. Viktor groaned, his body going slack for just a second before he found his balance, bracing himself on his elbows.

The new angle was a mistake—or maybe it was exactly what Jayce needed. He pushed in again, deeper than before, and Viktor choked on his next breath, his fingers going white-knuckled where they gripped the sheets.

“Ah—ah, Jayce—!” Viktor's voice was a mess of half-formed words and breathless cries. “Don’t stop—don’t you dare—”

Jayce didn’t. Couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

The bed shook with every sharp push of his hips, the air around them thick with the sounds of skin on skin, the weight of their breaths, the groans, the quiet curses. Viktor was trembling under him, his muscles twitching, his voice catching on every noise he tried to muffle.

“Nezastavuj, nezastavuj,” Viktor gasped, his face buried in the pillow, his hands scrabbling for purchase.

Jayce lowered himself, breath a hot, desperate gust against Viktor's ear. "I hear you," he growled, his voice wrecked, rasping like a live wire. "I hear you."

And he gave Viktor everything.

Jayce’s breath was erratic, his chest heaving with every thrust, each movement a desperate answer to Viktor’s pleas. His body was no longer his own; it was the rhythm of the moment, the heat between them, the wild connection. He moved with urgency, his hands now gripping Viktor’s hips to keep him in place, pulling him back into each thrust, pushing deeper with every beat of his pulse.

The heat of their bodies sliding together, slick with sweat, only intensified the closeness. Jayce’s movements became sharp, precise, like he was chasing something he couldn’t quite reach, each push harder than the last. Viktor’s back arched under him, hips pushing up to meet him, as if trying to draw every inch of Jayce in. Every thrust was met with a gasp, a groan, a sound of pure need from Viktor, and Jayce fed off it, the fire of it driving him forward.

“Fuck,” Jayce muttered, his teeth gritted. He was losing himself in the feeling of Viktor’s body—tight, hot, everything he needed. He wasn’t holding back anymore. He wasn’t thinking. It was all about this. All about Viktor.

Jayce pulled Viktor up from his position until he was kneeling before him. Jayce’s chest pressed against Viktor’s back as he ground in deeper, both of them gasping, their breaths coming in short, frantic bursts. The new position giving Jayce access to Viktor’s entire body, holding him up one hand on Viktor’s hip and the other arm wrapped around his chest. Viktor’s neglected cock swinging with every thrust begging for attention. He kissed the side of Viktor’s neck, lips sliding along the line of his throat, his teeth scraping lightly as he moved. Viktor’s groans reverberated in his chest, and Jayce shuddered, feeling the rawness of it, the intensity of Viktor’s pleasure pulling him under.

With every thrust, Jayce gave Viktor a piece of himself—his restraint, his control, everything he had. The animalistic desire to give, to feel, to make Viktor fall apart. Jayce’s fingers dug into Viktor’s flesh, his hand moving to grip Viktor’s cock with a roughness that matched his thrusts.

Viktor’s body tensed, every muscle tightening in response to Jayce’s relentless pace. He lifted his hands to dig his nails into Jayce’s forearm banded across his chest, his breath coming in broken gasps as Jayce’s hand moved over him. “Jayce,” Viktor whimpered, the word a plea, a prayer. “Please, please… I’m so close.”

Jayce’s heart hammered in his chest. His grip on the other man tightening, his chest pressed hard against his back, and his voice was hoarse, just a whisper against Viktor’s skin. “Come for me, V. Come for me, now.”

Viktor’s body gave a shuddering breath, and in that instant, Jayce felt it—Viktor’s release, hot and pulsing against his hand, the tightness of him clenching around Jayce as his body went rigid with pleasure. The sensation of it sent Jayce over the edge, his hips jerking forward with a final, deep thrust that broke him open.

He stilled, buried inside Viktor, his body trembling as he fought to catch his breath. Their bodies were tangled, slick with sweat, hearts beating in sync. Jayce’s arms were wrapped around Viktor’s waist, pulling him back into the aftershocks, not wanting to let go. He pressed a kiss to Viktor’s shoulder, the touch soft, tender against the rawness of their connection.

For a moment, there was silence, save for their labored breaths, as they both tried to regain control of themselves. Jayce’s fingers traced small circles on Viktor’s skin, his heart still pounding.

Jayce finally pulled back, a low groan escaping him as he slipped from Viktor’s body. The loss made Viktor whimper softly, his body still trembling from the aftershocks. Jayce kissed his shoulder and neck, a soft apology.

“We’re going to have to change these sheets,” Viktor murmured, his voice rough.

Jayce gave a quiet laugh, his breath shallow. “Yes, so we might as well make them a little dirtier,” he teased, the edge of his voice playful but laced with exhaustion. Jayce grinned, looking down at Viktor as he turned his head to meet his eyes over his shoulder.

“How so?” he asked, his smile curling. “If you think I can do that again so soon, you’re sadly mistaken.”

Jayce chuckled softly, lowering their bodies until he was hovering just behind Viktor laying his torso back on the bed. His hand slid down Viktor’s sides, smoothing over his skin as he lowered him gently to the bed, keeping his knees up. “Can you hold yourself like this?” Jayce asked, voice quiet but commanding, his fingers still tracing over Viktor’s body.

Viktor met his gaze over his shoulder, a smirk forming despite the exhaustion. “Mm, yes,” he replied, a hint of mischief in his tone.

Jayce’s gaze darkened with something primal as he scooted back, kneeling behind Viktor, his fingers parting the other man’s cheeks. He stared at the pinkened, tender flesh, watching the small, rhythmic pulse of Viktor’s body. Jayce’s thumb pressed gently against the sensitive area, and Viktor gasped, a tiny trickle of Jayce’s release slipping from him.

Without a word, Jayce lowered himself, his breath hot against Viktor’s skin as he pressed his tongue against the still-raw entrance.

Viktor’s body trembled beneath him, a guttural sound escaping his throat. “Ugh, Jayce—haa, haaa, Jayce!” he moaned, his back arching instinctively, pushing himself into the feeling.

Jayce didn’t stop. He sucked and licked at Viktor’s sensitive skin, drawing every last bit of himself from the other man. The act was slow, deliberate, as if he were marking Viktor, claiming him again in the most intimate of ways.

Each movement was purposeful, until finally, Jayce pulled away, his lips still buzzing. He kissed the back of Viktor’s thighs softly, letting his lips lead him up Viktor’s back and up his neck until he was hovering over the other man.

“Want me to run you a bath, V? I’ll change the sheets while you’re in there,” Jayce murmured, brushing his lips across Viktor’s ear as he sat up.

Viktor collapsed back onto the bed, carefully avoiding the wet spot where he’d finished. His hair was damp with sweat, splayed out in a messy halo around his head. “Yes, I would like that. It’s the least I deserve after you came home drunk and ravaged me beyond comprehension,” he teased, his voice heavy with satisfaction.

Jayce’s eyes gleamed with mischief as he moved over Viktor’s body, kissing him deeply. His tongue pressed between Viktor’s lips, and the kiss turned frantic, hungry. Viktor’s hands fisted in his hair, holding him close, not letting him pull away.

Laughing softly, Jayce finally pulled back, giving them both a chance to breathe. Viktor’s hands reluctantly released him, and Jayce flashed him a playful grin. “You want bubbles in your bath?”

Viktor’s gaze softened, his eyes were full of love, the depth of his feelings clear despite his usual reserve. Jayce’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes, darling,” Viktor answered, his voice low and tender.

Jayce let his forehead rest against Viktor’s, their faces inches apart, and for a moment, he simply breathed in the intimacy of the moment. “Fuck, I like that, V,” he whispered.

Viktor chuckled softly, his fingers tracing the line of Jayce’s jaw. “Do you want me to call you that when we’re alone?”

Jayce’s lips curled into a smile, his breath warm against Viktor’s skin. “I want you to call me that all the time, forever. I never want you to say my name again—just that.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow, a playful gleam in his eyes as he scratched his nails against Jayce’s beard. “Only that? Nothing else?”

Jayce hummed thoughtfully. “Mmm, what are my options?”

“My love,” Viktor offered, his voice full of teasing affection.

Jayce grinned, his heart swelling at the sound of it. “Yeah, I like that,” he said, then let his weight fall back onto Viktor, momentarily forgetting his duties to get up and run the bath. The softness of Viktor’s skin beneath him was too tempting, and the exhaustion from their earlier activities caught up with him.

Viktor listed a few more options, each more playful than the last. “Love of my life,” Viktor said, his tone almost mocking, “My heart, my soul, my world.”

Jayce shook his head, chuckling. “Mm, too much.”

“Hmm,” Viktor muttered, his fingers tracing circles on Jayce’s back. “What about ‘my dearest’?”

 “Uh-uh, not romantic enough.”

“Fine,” Viktor relented, his lips curling into a smile. “I guess I’ll stick with ‘darling’ for now.”

Jayce groaned, settling more comfortably on top of Viktor. “I better get up and run you that bath or I’m going to pass out on top of you, and nothing is going to get done.”

Viktor’s voice was low, almost seductive. “What a shame that would be.”

With a sigh, Jayce reluctantly lifted himself off Viktor, rolling off the bed and stretching his limbs. He moved toward the bathroom, fully nude, as Viktor lounged back on the bed, content and relaxed. He listened to Jayce turn on the water. Viktor let himself drift into the afterglow, enjoying the lingering sensation of their night together and how perfect it had been since Jayce got home.

--------------

Jayce walked into the bathroom about twenty minutes later, the scent of lavender and eucalyptus lingering in the air from the bath salts he’d used. It had taken longer than expected—first finding the linen closet, across the apartment down the hall past the kitchen, then wrestling the duvet into a fresh cover. By the time he finally slipped into the bath behind Viktor it had already been 20 minutes. His husband welcomed him, lying back against him, the warm water enveloping them both. The space felt intimate, private—just theirs. It felt real now, more than ever. The rings on their fingers weren’t some artifact of their stolen lives anymore; they were proof of the life they had now. True, honest.

Viktor sighed contentedly as Jayce settled in behind him, his legs stretched out on either side of Viktor’s. He leaned back into Jayce’s chest, and the quiet, soothing environment of the bath cocooned them both. Jayce had gone all out for this—there was a cabinet full of various bath supplies: Epsom salts of different scents, bubble baths, and more ‘lush’ bath bombs than they could ever use. Jayce had picked the muscle pain relief one, choosing something to ease Viktor’s body after the day, and tossed in a bomb that turned the water bright green and smelled like a forest.

Jayce gently wrapped his arms around Viktor, pulling him closer. His voice was soft, a playful undercurrent threading through it. “What did you want to discuss, V? You said something about that?”

Viktor’s voice was quiet, contemplative. “I thought you seemed quiet drunk when you came in.” He tried to joke, but there was something in his voice that betrayed the seriousness behind his words.

Jayce’s arms tightened around him, his chin resting against Viktor’s shoulder. “Not that drunk.”

Viktor tilted his head slightly. He didn’t look at Jayce immediately, but spoke carefully, as if choosing his words with purpose. “I was reading this book... A quantum physics text, and it made me think about our predicament. About the memories.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed. “What about them?”

Viktor hesitated before continuing, his fingers lightly tracing the water’s surface. “That it is possible that the longer we are here, the more we will be… absorbed by the other versions of ourselves. Or perhaps we will absorb them.”

Jayce stiffened at that, his chest pressing tighter against Viktor’s back as the water churned slightly from his sudden shift. “You think the longer we’re here, we’ll… disappear, essentially?”

Viktor didn’t look at him, but his voice was calm, trying to reassure. “I don’t know. It just seemed that if we’re getting their memories, that means we’re not just sharing this body. We’re sharing our minds… our consciousnesses themselves.”

Jayce’s heart skipped. He wanted to understand, to calm the storm of panic rising inside him. Viktor reached over to gently run his fingers over Jayce’s thigh, a small gesture meant to steady him.

“So what does that mean exactly?” Jayce asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Viktor exhaled softly, but his words were firm. “It would mean there’s a time limit. But this is just a hypothesis, Jayce—My darling, it’s not set in stone.”

Jayce’s breath slowed slightly, the tension easing in his chest. “It’s what you think is happening, though?”

Viktor looked at him then, eyes full of warmth and concern. “It is a possibility.”

Jayce considered that for a moment before speaking, his voice thoughtful. “If it is the case, I think it’s us absorbing them, not the other way around.”

Viktor considered the idea, nodding slowly. “Either way, it’s something we need to be aware of.”

Jayce ran a hand over Viktor’s arm, his touch soft and grounding. “Anything in those books tell you how to get back to where we came from?”

Viktor’s shoulders tensed slightly at the question, but he shook his head. “No... but after tonight, I’m not sure how motivated I’ll be to find a solution. If you keep fucking me like that, I might never want to leave.”

Jayce chuckled, his lips brushing against Viktor’s ear. “Well, now you’ll never get me off you.”

Viktor’s lips twitched upward in a smile, and he turned slightly, catching Jayce’s lips in a soft, lingering kiss.

Jayce’s arms tightened around Viktor, his fingers running over his shoulder as the water lapped gently around them. The bath had been peaceful, but the weight of their lives still loomed large, and Jayce had something important on his mind.

“I want to dismantle the weapons manufacturing of Talis Tech,” Jayce said quietly.

Viktor’s body stiffened slightly before he relaxed against Jayce’s chest, letting out a long breath. “That bad today?”

Jayce’s gaze shifted downward, his fingers trailing absent-mindedly in the water over Viktor’s body. “I don’t know how my counterpart does it. It was a nightmare. I don’t even want to tell you, V. That’s how ashamed of it I am.”

Viktor turned his head slightly, his eyes scanning Jayce’s face. “It isn’t your doing.”

Jayce sighed, feeling a twinge of guilt settle in his chest. “It’s a version of me.”

Viktor’s voice softened, “Yes, and a version of me succeeded in destroying the world and wiping out all of humanity—including you. I—myself was very close to doing just the same.”

Jayce winced at the reminder, but his resolve only hardened. “Point taken.”

Viktor’s eyes were steady, a faint understanding in his gaze. “So you will close down the weapons manufacturing?”

Jayce nodded, though frustration still lingered. “Somehow. All the funding for the place is so tied up in it. It’s like pulling at a thread that could unravel everything.”

Viktor paused, his hand reaching out to grasp Jayce’s for a moment. “I think that you must do what you feel is right. If there is any reason we were brought here, it is to change what needs to be changed, to fix what we know needs to be fixed.”

Jayce met his gaze, the weight of Viktor’s words sinking in. “Then I will.”

Viktor fell silent for a long moment, his brow furrowing in thought. He shifted slightly, as if weighing something in his mind, before speaking again, his tone careful. “I did not take my medication this evening.”

Jayce’s eyes widened, his grip tightening around Viktor in concern. “Is there a time... past when you should take it?”

Viktor exhaled slowly, his voice calm but tinged with something that worried Jayce. “I’m not going to take it again until we speak to this Dr. Reveck.”

Jayce’s heart thudded, concern rising in him. “You think that’s okay?”

Viktor nodded slowly, his gaze distant for a moment. “I think that those drugs are making me feel unwell... perhaps the cough will be back. I can feel it building in me already, at the edges. But it is better than what I felt all day today. I do not know how my counterpart functions if that is what he is feeling.”

Jayce leaned his forehead against Viktor’s shoulder, his voice soft. “Good. We can call, make an appointment tomorrow.”

Viktor shifted slightly, his hand gently resting on Jayce’s. “Let us wait until after the weekend, yes? There is the party, and all those things planned. We can make an appointment after.”

Jayce pulled back slightly, his thumb brushing over Viktor’s hand. “If you’re sure.”

Viktor gave a small, reassuring smile. “Yes, darling. I’m sure.”

Chapter Text

"We meet ourselves time and again in a thousand disguises on the path of life."
— Carl Jung

--------------

When Viktor woke, he was alone in bed, and for a moment, it felt like he was back in his old body before his death. Pain radiated from his hip, leg, and back in familiar, grating pulses. His lungs ached with that horrid, crackling pressure, and a slow, creeping tickle was worming its way up his throat. It took him a moment to force his eyes open against the brightness of the room. One deep inhale later. He was coughing, the kind of cough that clawed up from deep within. He felt the ache through his entire body.

By the time it finally eased, he sagged into the pillows, his chest tight and aching from the effort. He blinked away the spots dancing in his vision just as the door creaked open.

“Hey, you’re up,” Jayce said as he entered, a mug of steaming tea in one hand. His hair was tousled, his clothes slightly rumpled like he’d been up for a couple of hours but hadn’t made himself presentable yet. He crossed the room quickly, his eyes warm with concern.

Viktor pushed himself up onto his elbows, grimacing at the shift in weight on his hip. Jayce was at his side in a moment, steadying him with one hand on his back.

“Here,” Jayce said, handing him the tea. “Hot, but not too hot. Careful.”

Viktor took it with both hands, the warmth seeping into his fingers. He inhaled deeply, letting the scent of chamomile and mint fill his nose. His body ached in ways it hadn’t for the past few days since they arrived in this place. It felt familiar. It felt like home in the worst possible way.

“Thank you,” Viktor said, his voice scratchy from coughing.

Jayce sat on the edge of the bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “How’re you feeling?”

Viktor glanced down at his tea, then back up at Jayce. “How I always used to feel.”

Jayce’s eyes flickered with something like guilt or frustration, but he nodded slowly. “Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, gaze darting to the floor before coming back up to meet Viktor’s. “I’ve been looking through all your medical files this morning,” he said, leaning forward, his voice coming out in a rush. “I found this archive on the phones—you can search for anything, and it just… gives you answers. It’s amazing.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of his tea as he listened.

Jayce kept going, words tumbling out like he couldn’t stop them. “I went through all your prescriptions. I think it’s safe to use a few of them—like, I’m pretty sure I understand it now. There is pain stuff for your leg and back, and then there are the normal treatments for IPF. So, I was thinking, if you’re comfortable with it, maybe we just… forgo the experimental treatment for now, which is only like two of the pills until we talk to your doctor, but the rest of it should be alright.”

He glanced up at Viktor, checking his reaction before continuing. “Don’t be mad, but I went ahead and called. We have an appointment next Thursday at 4.”

Viktor tilted his head, his lips quirking into something amused. “Why would I be mad?”

Jayce blinked, a little caught off guard. “I just didn’t want you to feel like I’m… going against your wishes. You wanted to wait, and I…”

Viktor chuckled softly, his eyes warm despite his exhaustion. “I do not feel that way.” He leaned in, pressing a kiss to Jayce’s temple with lingering softness.

Jayce closed his eyes at the touch, letting out a breath he’d been holding. “Okay,” he murmured, and when Viktor pulled away, his smile was wider, more at ease. “Hey, stay in bed. I was making you breakfast. I’m gonna bring it in here for you.”

Viktor blinked, surprise flashing across his face. “Breakfast in bed?”

“Yeah,” Jayce said, grinning like a boy—so easy like he used to, without the weight of everything bearing down on him. “Then I’m gonna make you a bath—all those salts and oils and things in the bathroom are supposedly good for your pain and lung stuff.”

Viktor gave him a knowing look, his eyes narrowing just slightly. “So you’ve been doing research all morning, hmm?”

Jayce’s grin widened, his eyes bright with that infectious enthusiasm. “Yes.” He stood and stretched, tossing Viktor a playful wink before heading for the door. “Stay put, I’ll be right back.”

Viktor settled back against the pillows, sipping his tea slowly. His eyes traced Jayce’s retreating form until the door clicked shut. He stared at the space Jayce had left, his body aching and tired, but for the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel weighed down by it.

This was his normal. It was surprising to realize how little pain he had been in the past few days here. He hadn’t been experiencing it for months after being fused with the Hexcore, and while it was unpleasant, he hated it. It also made him feel human again like he was part of this world. Part of this body. It was shocking how not having this constant aching contributed to how he viewed the world after the Hexcore. It was welcome now in a strange way. Perhaps the lack of this constant pain made this world feel less real. Like the Hexcore made him feel like a god, this world felt like a dream. There were aches, and besides the first night, the pain was so strangely far away it was like he could ignore it. He let his eyes slip shut as he waited for Jayce to return, straddling the fence between falling asleep again and staying conscious.

The scent hit him first. It was savory and rich, with a hint of garlic and tomatoes. Viktor glanced up as Jayce entered, balancing a wide wooden tray in both hands. Steam curled from the plates, wafting toward him in enticing tendrils.

"Room service," Jayce announced, grinning as he set the tray down carefully across Viktor’s lap. "Careful, it’s hot."

Viktor sat up straighter, adjusting the pillows behind him as he eyed the spread before him. Boiled eggs, already peeled, nestled like little suns in a bed of stewed vegetables swimming in a bright, tomato-based sauce. Thick-cut sausages lined the side of the plate, seared golden brown with crisp edges that glistened with oil.  A smaller plate with thick-cut wedges of fresh bread. The smell alone was enough to make Viktor's mouth water. Viktor could cook, sure, but he usually didn’t. It was something that had to be done to survive, but most of the time, his mind was too occupied, and he would just end up eating buttered toast.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” Viktor said, already picking up his fork.

Jayce sat on the edge of the bed, resting his hands on his thighs as he watched Viktor with open anticipation. "I already ate while you were still sleeping, so this is all for you." He nodded toward the small glass off to the side, where four pills waited next to a cup of water. "I sorted out your meds too. Two are pain meds. The other two are for IPF. Those should be safe to take together."

Viktor glanced at the pills, then back at Jayce, one brow arching. “How thorough of you,” he muttered, but there was no bite to his words.

Jayce leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Turns out, you’ve also got an 'as needed' pain med, but it can’t be mixed with the IPF stuff, at least not the experimental treatment. I figured we’d hold off on that one for now. There’s also a sleep aid, but it interacts with like—” he waved a hand, his expression scrunching in mock frustration, “—basically everything, so I don’t think you’re—well, your counterpart is—taking that anymore. Oh, and the other two seem to be old pain meds that are just…living in the cabinet with the rest of them—I don’t think your counterpart was taking them, so I just tossed them.”

Viktor speared a bite of egg and hummed as the rich yolk spilled into the sauce, piling it onto one of the slices of warm bread. "Did you bake this bread? This morning?”

“Oh, ha, no, that wasn’t me. It was in a package in the freezer called ‘Take-and-Bake.’ I just threw it in the oven,” Jayce said, tilting his head with a small grin. “The rest was all me, though.”

Viktor made a quiet sound of amusement, his focus on his plate as he scooped up some of the stewed vegetables.

"Have you always been a good cook," Viktor asked after a moment, glancing at Jayce over the rim of his tea mug, "or is this new?"

Jayce pressed a hand to his heart, feigning a deep wound. "Are you serious right now?"

Viktor smirked into his tea, his eyes heavy-lidded with amusement.

“I’ve always been good in the kitchen,” Jayce declared, leaning forward with mock indignation. “You loved my food. What are you talking about?”

“I always thought the meals you brought in were from your mother,” Viktor said, his tone dry but his grin sly.

Jayce gasped, clutching his chest with even more dramatic flair. “You—! You thought my mom—” His voice rose in disbelief, eyes wide with exaggerated offense. "Oh, you’re in trouble now."

Viktor barely had time to set his tea aside before Jayce reached for the tray, moving it to the nightstand with a swift, adept motion. Viktor barked out a short laugh, his hands coming up too late to stop Jayce from leaning in, his weight pressing the mattress down. He pulled Viktor’s legs, laying the man out on his back again.

“Take it back,” Jayce said, bracketing Viktor with his arms.

“Never,” Viktor shot back, his grin sharp and teasing.

Jayce laughed, ducking his head close like he was going to bury his face against Viktor’s neck. Viktor shoved at his shoulder, half-hearted, his breath coming short with laughter. It made his chest hurt in a most unpleasant way, but it made him feel present in this body. Present at this moment. Jayce shifted to press a kiss just behind his ear, catching Viktor off guard enough for him to suck in a sharp breath—a little zing of pleasure rolling through him.

“Take it back,” Jayce said again, his voice lower now, rougher.

“Absolutely not,” Viktor replied, his hands curling in the front of Jayce’s shirt like he might shove him back—except he didn’t. He held him close.

Jayce grinned at him, his face so close Viktor could feel the heat of his breath. For a moment, it felt like time stilled, like the world outside didn’t exist, just this pocket of warmth and softness between them.

Jayce jerked forward before Viktor could think and pressed his open mouth to Viktor’s neck. He blew a raspberry into his skin, causing Viktor to squirm, laughing and smacking at Jayce’s shoulders.

Jayce pulled back, his eyes crinkled at the edges, and Viktor relented. "Alright, you win," he muttered.

Jayce grinned, brushing his fingers lightly over Viktor’s hair, “That’s right.”

"Don’t choke on your victory." Viktor continued, pushing at Jayce’s massive body to get him off. Jayce just laughed before sitting up properly.

“If it’s you choking me, I can get behind it,” Jayce shot back, just to hear Viktor’s short, startled laugh.

They both settled after that, Jayce still perched on the edge of the bed, Viktor picking up his tea and settling with his trey again with slow, steady hands. The quiet between them was comfortable, soft, and familiar as Viktor finished his meal. It was reminiscent of their time working together in their lab. Each working on their own projects, together in the silence. Jayce’s steady gaze on him, though Viktor hadn’t felt it the same way before.

 “Hey,” Jayce broke the silence, his voice softer now, his eyes gentler. “You want that bath?”

Viktor set his tea aside, considering him with a tilt of his head. “I can do it myself, you know.”

Jayce raised his brows, tilting his head in mock surprise. “Can you?”

Viktor squinted at him. “Yes.”

Jayce leaned forward, his grin lopsided, fond. “I know you can,” he said, his voice steady and sincere. “But it makes me happy to do these things for you, Viktor. I like it.”

Viktor opened his mouth to argue—out of habit, more than anything—but something in Jayce’s expression made him stop. It wasn’t just earnestness. Jayce had always been like this, wanting to assist him and do things for him. Before, in their old life, Viktor had always refused and pushed him away because…it was too hard to be vulnerable. He already had to deal with the rest of the city treating him differently because of his body, because of where he was from that he didn’t need it with his best friend as well. But he had always known it had come from a place of genuine care with Jayce, he had warmed up to it, letting little things go as they happened and now, here, perhaps Viktor could allow him this.

“Fine,” Viktor said after a moment, his lips twitching toward a smile he didn’t quite fight down. “You make me that bath, then.”

Jayce's grin widened like he'd been handed the keys to the world. "On it."

He pushed off the bed with an easy swing of his legs and strode toward the bathroom, his steps light, shoulders loose. Viktor watched him go, eyes half-lidded, his body heavy with exhaustion, but his heart was light.

The ache in his hip and back pulsed like a second heartbeat. His lungs crackled faintly with every breath. But somehow, he felt less weighed down. He leaned back into the pillows, his gaze tracing the path Jayce had taken, listening to the distant sounds of water rushing from the tap.

Being here, feeling all of this, all of it—it didn’t feel good. But it felt real.

He could live with that.

--------------

Jayce stood at the sink, hands submerged in warm, soapy water, rinsing off the last of the breakfast plates. The quiet of the apartment was broken only by the soft clink of dishes and the faint rush of water. He had gotten himself fully acquainted with the kitchen this morning. It was starting to feel like home, even if they had only been here for a few days. His mind drifted in and out, thoughts half-formed, dulled by the slow rhythm of the morning. Viktor had let Jayce carry him into the bathroom and there was something about that that got his blood boiling.

Viktor who used to smack him with his cane when he tried to help him. Viktor, who refused to focus on himself and his health and would dismiss it every time Jayce tried to bring it up. To have that proud, stubborn man allow him to do that meant so much, more than Viktor probably even realized.

A knock echoed from the front door, sharp and sudden and breaking Jayce out of his thoughts. He glanced up, his brow raised, but before he could react, he heard a key turning in the lock.

The door swung open.

"Hope you listened and didn’t do any shopping because I am all set—I got everything!" Caitlyn’s voice carried into the apartment ahead of her. She was wrestling a loaded grocery cart over the threshold, the little wheels thudding against the doorway before she yanked it inside. She kicked off her little flat shoes at the rack and entered like she owned the place. Jayce wondered when this version of himself gave her a key to his apartment and free reign to come in as she liked.

Jayce chuckled, pulling his hands from the water and drying them on a dish towel. "Honestly, I haven’t thought about it once. It’s been a…rough week." He tossed the towel over his shoulder, leaning his hip on the counter.

He wondered when he was going to get used to seeing everyone he knew and loved from his old life respawned. It was almost a shock every time. Cailyn was dressed in a pair of high-waisted jeans and a simple white top. He wondered if that was what she was planning on wearing for the dinner too, but by the looks of it she had some kind of duffle bag mixed in on the cart of groceries, so he bet she planned to change.

Caitlyn glanced at him as she entered the kitchen area with her rollie-cart. "Oh yeah? How’s Viktor? How are you?" she asked casually, already unloading bags onto the kitchen counter.

"Viktor’s good. We’re both good," Jayce replied, leaning against the counter, arms crossed as he watched her.

"Vi told me you two got drunk last night," Caitlyn said, flashing him a look as she pulled out a carton of eggs. "She didn’t come home until this morning. Wish someone would have thought to text me about it."

"Oops." Jayce gave a sheepish shrug. "Figured that’s her job?"

Honestly he hadn’t thought about it at all, he had just assumed that Vi would have informed her. He wasn’t entirely sure what their dynamic was, he knew they were together, living together which was new apparently. He knew that Cait was thinking about marriage, but she couldn’t be older than 25. In their past life she had only been with Vi for…less than a year by his count, he couldn’t have much of an opinion without knowing how long they were together here, but it seemed like it must be a couple years. He and Vi seemed to have a decent friendship, and that would work with that hypothesis.

Caitlyn rolled her eyes, setting down a block of cheese a little harder than necessary. "You two. You go to the gym, then get drunk. I feel like it’s counterproductive."

Jayce grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn’t my intention. I was just getting my ass handed to me at pool. Sort of lost track of how many beers I was drinking."

Caitlyn snorted. "That tracks." She pulled a cutting board from one of the drawers.

"So," Jayce asked, glancing at the microwave clock, noting it was only 11:27 a.m., "what are you cooking that you need to be here so early?"

Her hands stilled, "Oh… is it not okay that I’m here?"

Jayce's face softened. "Of course, it’s okay, Sprout. Just wondering what you’ve got going on."

She relaxed, “Duck à l'orange,” she said with mock sophistication, tossing her hair as if she were on a cooking show. “from scratch, and I am not rushing this. I’m doing it right. It needs hours to prep.”

Jayce blinked, tilting his head. “You do know it’s just us, right? You’re cooking for us.”

“Not just us,” Caitlyn corrected, already setting up her mise en place. “We’ve got Mylo and Claggor—you know, Vi’s foster brothers—you’ve met them, of course.” She waved her knife at him. “Then Jinx and Ekko and their new foster daughter, Isha—that whole situation is sending Vi into a fit. Then there’s Louris—you know him—then Maddie and Steb, my friends from law school. Oh, and I believe Ekko invited his friend, ‘Scar’, but he wasn’t sure if he could make it, something about a babysitter, which of course, throws everything off.” She glanced up suddenly as if she’d forgotten something. “Oh! Did Viktor invite Sky? Is she coming?”

Jayce blinked at her, a bit overwhelmed by the flood of names. "Uh, no. She’s got a hot date tonight, so… we’re not adding to the list."

"Ah, too bad." Caitlyn tapped her finger to her chin like she was doing calculations in her head. "Well, that makes the whole list then."

Jayce gave her a long look. This was a lot more in-depth than he was expecting. He knew Ekko, but only a little, the rest of the names felt completely foreign to him besides Jinx who he knew was going to…spend the night in their guest room apparently and planned to stay at their place all day tomorrow. He wasn’t especially excited about it.

“What time are people coming tonight?”

Cait hummed, “I think around six o’clock. Vi and Louris will be here earlier to set up the dining table since you don’t have one, which is absurd.”

Jayce chuckled, “I don’t think you can comment on the absurdity of my apartment when you're using it to host your party.”

“Where’s Viktor?” she asked suddenly, looking around like she’d just realized he was missing.

“He just got in the bath, like, five minutes before you got here,” Jayce said, gesturing toward the bedroom with a nod of his head.

“Oh, how nice,” Caitlyn said, organizing the chaos of ingredients on the counter by what recipe they went to. “A bath in the middle of the day.”

“Well, it’s supposed to be good for the pain and the lung stuff,” Jayce said, his tone a little quieter now. He glanced toward the bedroom.

Caitlyn paused. Turning toward him and mirrored his position by leaning her hip against the counter, arms crossed. Her eyes shifted, narrowing just a little. "How are you doing, Jayce? Really."

He stilled. Her question hung in the air, far too pointed to ignore.

He took a breath, his eyes flicking toward her, then away, his fingers tapping lightly on the counter. He knew he was supposed to be acting like this other version of himself, the version that belonged to this world. But how different could they really be? He didn’t think it was that far off. So, he decided to be as honest as he could manage.

“Not great, Cait,” he admitted, his voice low but firm. “My husband is… well, the prognosis isn’t great. And we’re trying to navigate that. It’s been a struggle.” He lifted his gaze to hers, his brow furrowed, not in frustration but in something more vulnerable. “But I think we’ve come to some… agreements about things. He’s agreed to try new doctors, and we’re… just doing better now.”

He couldn’t say that he came to this world and thought that he finally had his partner back, alive and whole, only to rediscover that he was dying here just as he had been before. Nothing he did could escape this fate, and it was devastating to have to face that, especially after realizing the extent of his feelings. How this life was haunted by not only Viktor’s illness but also the multitude of poor choices this version of himself had made, which only highlighted the mistakes of his past life that he thought he was finally free from. How could he describe that without giving too much away? The feeling of finally having everything he had ever truly wanted but finding it just as treacherous as before.

Caitlyn studied him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face. Then she gave a small nod, slow but certain. “Vi thinks you guys have started couples therapy or something,” she said lightly, but her gaze was still on him.

Jayce snorted, the sound half a laugh, half a breath of relief. “No, but I feel like maybe that’s something they should have done.”

“They?” she asked, her brows pulling together in confusion.

Jayce froze. His heart skipped. His eyes darted to her. "You know. They. Them. Like… us." He forced out the words, his voice stiffer now, more stilted. "We should have. Maybe. Those versions of us that were fighting all the time… because we’re better now.”

Caitlyn squinted at him, tilting her head like she was watching a magician fumble a card trick. "O-kaaaayyyyy,” she said slowly, clearly unconvinced but not willing to press.

Jayce scratched the back of his head, glancing at the organized bedlam Caitlyn had unleashed on the counter—vegetables spilling from paper bags, bundles of fresh herbs still tied with twine, and a whole duck laid out like it had personal business with him. His brows lifted.

"So, uh, what else are you making?” he asked, leaning a hip against the counter.

Caitlyn’s face lit up with excitement, her hands already moving as she began pulling jars and spice tins from her bags. “Alright, so for starters, we’ve got a classic French onion tart—then I’m doing the duck à l'orange as the main, obviously, oh, and I’m doing the orange glaze from scratch.” She said it like it was no big deal, but Jayce winced in sympathy.

“On top of that, I’m doing a gratin dauphinois—basically a fancy potato casserole but, you know, better. Then there’s a watercress and endive salad with a walnut vinaigrette. And for dessert—” She grinned as she set down a container of heavy cream like she was about to win an award. “—I’m doing a chocolate soufflé.” She wagged her eyebrows like that last one was supposed to impress him the most.

Jayce blinked, mouth already open in protest. “All that?”

Caitlyn shrugged like she wasn’t actively taking on the entire French culinary canon in one night. “I got some cheese too, going to make a cheese and fruit plate for while everyone is arriving. I like to challenge myself.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” he muttered, eyes flicking toward the duck just lying there naked against the counter.

 “So, uh, you need help with this?” He gestured toward her mess of ingredients. He had a feeling this was going to end up being his responsibility if this Caitlyn was anything like the one he knew—cooking was not her strong suit.

Caitlyn brightened, already back to unpacking groceries. “No! I am doing this all on my own. I don’t need any help.” She shooed him off. “You just go… I don’t know, join Viktor in the bath.”

Jayce blinked, then burst out laughing, head thrown back, arms folding over his chest. “Oh-ho? Maybe I will just go do that.”

Caitlyn’s eyes widened in realization, and she pointed a firm finger at him like a warning. “But no hanky-panky while I’m in your apartment!”

Jayce nearly doubled over with laughter, his grin unstoppable as he made his way toward the bedroom. "No promises, Sprout."

"Jayce!" Caitlyn barked, but he was already gone, his deep laughter still clearly heard through the closed bedroom door.

--------------

Jayce and Viktor sat in their bedroom, nestled on the small loveseat by the window. Jayce was getting used to just sitting on couches with Viktor’s legs draped over his lap. He was gently massaging Viktor’s right leg. The soft sound of turning pages wasn’t the only noise filling the room. It was interrupted by the occasional crash or curse coming from the kitchen. There was a clatter now followed by a prim little “fuck.” Jayce glanced at Viktor, who remained absorbed in his book.

Jayce had indeed joined Viktor in the bath, but unfortunately, no ‘hanky-panky’ took place. Then they dressed and started working their way through some of the books on the shelves in here. Jayce had spent a part of his morning returning all the books Viktor had piled in the living room back into their rightful places, and it helped him get even more acquainted with the apartment. He had no idea how Viktor could read constantly. It had only been an hour or two, and he was already itching out of his skin.

Viktor didn’t look up but spoke knowingly, “How long until she comes knocking for your assistance?”

Jayce chuckled, keeping his voice low. “I don’t know. Caitlyn can be pretty stubborn.”

He rubbed his hand up and down Viktor’s leg a few more times. Digging his thumbs into the calf and thigh muscles before shifting his body to turn to face the other man. He propped an elbow on the back of the loveseat, resting his head against his palm. Viktor’s hair was pulled back in a hair tie, and pieces were falling out around his face, only highlighting his sharp features. His cheekbones and his prominent nose. His beauty was a truth that Jayce had always known. It was like observing the perfect geometry of a snowflake. It just was. 

“What you said last night about the possibility that we are absorbing these consciousnesses?” Jayce asked.

Viktor, sensing this was going to be a more in-depth conversation, closed his book, holding his place with his finger. “Yes?”

Jayce furrowed his brows, leaning forward slightly. “What kind of time limit do you think there is on that? Do you think it will take months or years? Or will it be shorter, like days—weeks?”

Viktor sighed, “I don’t know, darling. It’s just a theory, but with the way things are going… perhaps months.”

Jayce nodded, looking determined. He had been thinking about this all morning, “I want to stay here, V. It might be wrong, but I don’t want to go back to that… nothing yet. I want to stay here with you and live out this life. I think we can do it, fix it, and make it better.”

Viktor was quiet for a long moment, his eyes studying Jayce’s face. “And what if these versions of ourselves wish to keep their life? You would take it from them?”

Jayce’s jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady. “Look at the mess they made with it. The weapons—your sickness—”

Viktor’s lips twitched, almost a smile. “That feels like something I would say…”

Jayce’s eyes narrowed, “So you agree?”

“Mmm… Something I would say to justify why a hivemind is the best solution for humanity’s inability to have true peace.”

Jayce jerked back as though slapped, his eyes wide. “It’s not the same thing.”

Viktor’s gaze softened, his voice quiet now. “No… no, it’s not.”

Before they could continue, a loud pounding at the front door interrupted them, followed by an audible crash in the kitchen. Jayce shot up from his seat, a look of concern flashing across his face. “Well, I should probably get that,” He turned back to Viktor before he got to the door, “I want to continue that conversation though, V. I’m not going to forget.”

“I look forward to it, darling.”

Jayce’s face split into a small, genuine smile, then he turned and left the room without closing the door behind him, and Viktor, despite his discomfort, rose slowly behind him. His back and leg still ached, the pain making every step a careful calculation. He knew he might need to wear his braces tonight. He had found them in one of the closets. His leg brace and a more supportive back brace that was reminiscent of the one he used to wear in their past life.

As he entered the living room, the scene before them was chaotic—kitchen utensils and food strewn about like a battlefield. Caitlyn, dusted in flour from head to toe, looked up in mock devastation. Jinx, carrying a massive suitcase, was striding out of the foyer, seemingly oblivious to the state of the place. Jayce followed behind her with a concerned look on his face, clearly trying to make sense of the situation. “Let me help you carry that!”

Jinx smirked at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ve got it, lover-boy. Where’s your skinny Russian concubine?”

Jinx had her hair done up in two braided pigtails high on her head that reached her shoulders. She was wearing a pair of high-waisted jeans and a crop top with a large camo jacket that looked like it was probably not hers.

Viktor, standing in the doorway, couldn’t resist responding. “I’m not Russian.”

Jinx grinned at him and waved a dismissive hand,  “Who cares? I brought the goods. Where do you want it?”

Viktor raised an eyebrow. “That whole suitcase?”

Jinx grinned. “Not the whole thing. I’ve got stuff for the sleepover tomorrow. And Vi told me to bring board games in case Miss Missy’s fancy dinner party sucks.”

Caitlyn looked up, her flour-covered face the picture of devastation. “Vi said that?”

Jayce quickly moved to Caitlyn’s side, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure she just meant for fun, Cait. Who doesn’t like board games?”

Viktor, taking in the mess, did not want to deal with the disaster of the kitchen at all. He, unlike Jayce, did not have a desire to be a part of the prep work for this evening. He could feel Jayce’s restless energy as they sat in the bedroom together, sometimes the man needed to do something physical to calm down. He used to do pushups and sit-ups in the lab, it had been a small torcher than but now it would have been quite enjoyable to watch. The only reason he hadn’t suggested it was because the free leg massage had been quite enjoyable. He figured the best bet was to start looking at Miss Jinx’s research.

“Darling, we’re going to put Jinx’s project into your lab—office. My study is too… small and tight for all this.”

Truly he just didn’t want to clutter it with the device Jinx was trying to create. That was his space, after all. Jayce didn’t seem to mind the idea.

Jayce nodded, too distracted by the chaos of the kitchen to be paying attention to him, “Okay.”

Jinx smirked and gave him a salute before dragging the suitcase toward the hallway. As she passed Viktor, she winked. “Let’s shoot some shit into quantum space!”

Viktor followed behind, amused. They reached the guest room, and Viktor took a moment to look around. He had only passed this room never really taking the time to look at it more closely. The room was mostly empty. There didn’t seem to be any real character to it. The bed was a four-poster, towering high with its ornate, shimmering fabric that almost sparkled in the light. It looked more like a piece of art than furniture. Viktor couldn’t help but agree with his counterpart's dislike of it—it was too high off the ground, and the mattress looked like it might be part of a cloud. He had always preferred a firmer mattress, perhaps due to his upbringing, but there was no need to unpack it.

A dresser sat along the wall under a large window, and a large closet took up the far side of the room. Jinx was already unzipping the suitcase and tossing things onto the bed with the presence of someone who had done this a thousand times. Viktor wondered how many sleepovers Jinx had spent in their apartment so that she could feel comfortable. He was also wondering where and what an ‘Isha’ was, the name sounded familiar, but he was having a hard time keeping track of everything. There were so many new people and old people he had to catalog in his mind.

“Isha?”

Jinx looked up from her rummaging for a second and shrugged, “Ekko is bringing her later when he gets here, she would have just been board since you freaks don’t have a TV or anything in this shit hole.”

Viktor wasn’t sure what a TV was, “She wouldn’t enjoy learning about your… Quantum teleportation?”

Jinx barked a laugh as she handed him a large hunk of metal from the bag, beginning to pile things in his arms, “Nah, she’s not super science-y. She’s way more of an artist! We let her draw all over everything! It’s great! Look!”

She turned around to show off the back of the oversized jacket. There was a pair of painted bunny ears and some kind of hourglass symbol in the middle.”

That’s when it clicked, Isha was a child. It must have been the little girl with Jinx and Vi when they had come to his commune to heal Vander’s mind. He wasn’t sure if he had ever learned her name during that time.

“Don’t worry. I told her she wasn’t allowed to do any coloring on your walls because you two are all uptight.”

Viktor tried not to smile, this girl was ridiculous, “Perhaps we can make an exception, this room is quite bland.”

Jinx shoved his shoulder with a laugh.

Viktor raised an eyebrow at the rest of the supplies she seemed to be pulling out of her never-ending suitcase, "So, Quantum teleportation?" he asked.

Jinx grinned with all her teeth. There was a little gem embedded in the little tooth to the side of her two front teeth, "Exactly. Teleportation has always been theoretical, but I’ve got a plan to make it practical. Like Star Trek! Beam me up, Scotty! Thought I’d bring the whole set up and keep it here to work on it."

She was basically trying to create the Hex-gates with the science of this world. Quantum science was actually quite similar to the Arcane, or at least it seemed to be from what he had read last night, “Quantum teleportation isn’t exactly new in the theoretical space. But making it tangible? That’s a different matter. You might have the right theory, but you’re going to need—"

Power. The Hex-gates used the crystals to generate large quantities of power, but this world did not seem to have anything near the Arcane.

“A little bit of help from a real scientist,” Jinx interrupted, her grin widening as she dug into the suitcase for more parts. “Not just an engineer?”

Viktor smirked slightly—that hadn’t been what he was thinking but he had no need to correct her. “I suppose. But the challenge will be more than just materials. You’re aiming to transport quantum particles through space. Are you even accounting for the displacement of mass? For the amount of power needed to generate such a thing at that level?”

“Already ahead of you,” she replied, tossing a book onto the bed. "I’ve got the math here. I need your expertise on how to stabilize the quantum fields as we send it through. See," she opened the book, showing him a page full of scribbled notes, "the key is integrating a stabilizing agent into the equation, something that can compensate for the instability of quantum travel."

Viktor scanned the page, a smile tugging at his lips. “I see what you’re trying to do. It’s... bold. But you’ve overlooked one thing. The particle-to-particle cohesion will be your biggest challenge. Your teleportation theory relies on the particles not losing their integrity while being deconstructed and reconstructed.”

“Oh, bet,” Jinx said, practically jumping up with excitement, “I’ve got that covered. Here,” she pointed at another scribbled equation, “I’m using a dual-field buffer system. It’ll keep the particles intact by creating a localized quantum field around them during the transmission.”

Viktor chuckled, "You really think you can pull that off with your current setup? Your buffer system looks like it might disrupt the quantum matrix rather than stabilize it."

Jinx’s eyes sparkled. "Well, if you think you can do better, Dr. Frankenstein, I’d love to see you try."

Viktor stood straighter, no longer holding back the excitement. His mind had already started dissecting Jinx’s equations, layering his own ideas over them like a lattice. "Let’s see what we can build from this," he said, his voice low but energized.

After spending time in the lab at Talis Tech yesterday, the idea of spending the day locked away doing science was his topmost desire.

They both grabbed an armload of parts from the suitcase—metal hunks, wires, strange contraptions, and even a few things Viktor couldn't identify at first glance. Lugging the supplies into Jayce’s lab, he noted the stark contrast between its openness and his own smaller, more secluded workspace. Sunlight streamed through the wide windows, bouncing off the sleek countertops and the chrome-finished tools and equipment. Viktor placed the heavier parts onto the central work table, carefully organizing them into clusters. Jinx, on the other hand, simply dumped her load onto the surface with a loud clatter.

“Careful,” Viktor admonished, earning an unapologetic grin in return.

“Relax, old man. These babies are tough,” she said, giving one of the metal pieces an affectionate tap.

Viktor began clearing the table of Jayce’s half-finished projects, which included several random mechanical limbs, a tangle of wires, and something that looked suspiciously like a half-built toaster. He moved them to the edges of the room and out of the way, carefully stacking the pieces to avoid damaging anything fragile. Midway through, he paused to stretch his back, an urgent reminder of his limits. Carrying all that equipment hadn’t been his wisest decision.

With a soft sigh, he stepped out of the lab and into the guest room to retrieve his cane. He had leaned it against the wall. Then he returned to the lab and Jinx perched on a stool, her legs swinging idly as she watched him with an amused expression. “What’s the matter, twink Jesus? Too old to play with the big kids?”

“I prefer the term ‘wise,’” Viktor replied.

Jinx hopped off the stool, grabbed a cloth from a nearby shelf, and made her way to the whiteboard. “Hope this wasn’t important,” she announced as she began erasing equations and sketches Jayce’s counterpart had up there. The black ink smudged under her quick, circular motions, leaving streaks of faded numbers behind.

“Oh please, go ahead. I am sure Jayce will not mind,” Viktor said dryly.

“Don’t act like you didn’t know—We could have used your office, but I’m guessing you didn’t want your stuff erased.” She flashed him a toothy grin, already grabbing a marker to replace the erased content. She drew a rough diagram of her buffer system, complete with arrows, fields, and annotations that barely adhered to any standard notation.

She was not wrong.

Viktor crossed his arms, observing her frenetic movements. "The buffer system is a good starting point," he said, stepping closer. "But the equations need refinement. If we don't address the particle-phase fluctuations during transmission, the entire system could collapse mid-teleportation."

Jinx leaned back from the board, twirling the marker in her hand. "And here I thought I was ahead of the curve. Alright, Mr. Fancy Brain, show me what you’ve got.”

Viktor didn’t need further prompting. He grabbed a red marker and started sketching out his corrections beside her equations, layering adjustments, and additional formulas that accounted for the quantum instability. His handwriting was precise and delicate in comparison to hers, his equations flowing like the notes of a symphony.

Jinx paused, leaning her head on his shoulder for a moment as she watched him write. “You know,” she said, her voice quieter than usual, “if we pull this off, it’ll be you and me rewriting the textbooks.”

Viktor glanced at her, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. This felt like the first night creating Hextech with Jayce. Starting something revolutionary, something never done before. "If we pull this off," he corrected, "we won’t just rewrite the textbooks—we’ll make history."

Her eyes lit up, and she grinned like a child on Christmas morning. "Hell yeah! History, baby!"

The two fell into a rhythm, bouncing ideas back and forth as they worked to refine the equations. Viktor’s precise logic meshed with Jinx’s unorthodox creativity, the markers in their hands flying across the whiteboard in vibrant colors. They were a chaotic symphony of genius, challenging and complementing each other with every stroke of ink and every new calculation.

--------------

Jayce watched Viktor and Jinx disappear into the hall. He turned, and Caitlyn pressed her back to the island and let herself slide down until she was sitting on the kitchen floor with her elbows resting on her knees, staring at the mess she’d made like it was an impossible puzzle.

Jayce walked over, his voice light but concerned. “You okay, Sprout?”

She glanced up at him, looking a little defeated. “My mother is always hosting these things, and it shouldn’t be this hard. It’s just putting food in a pan. Why can’t I do it?” She sounded frustrated like she couldn’t understand why the simplest task had turned into such a struggle.

Jayce didn’t know what to say, but her knew the Cassandra from his world, and that woman never cooked herself a meal in her life, so he was going to go out on a limb here and improvise from what he knew from his own past life and hope that it translated here, “Your mother hires caterers for this kind of thing, I don’t think that woman has ever actually cooked a meal in her life let alone for a dinner party.”

Jayce flicked Cait’s forehead, and she glared up at him, “I should be able to do it without all that.”

Jayce couldn't help but smile, though it was soft, understanding. He crouched down beside her, settling onto the floor. “I don’t know, Sprout. Not everyone’s a chef. You’re good at other things.”

 “Oh, yeah? Like what?”

“Like… shooting?” He gave her a playful nudge, once again hoping that this was also a similarity this Cait shared with his.

She smirked but then sighed. “Yes, I’m quite good at that, but it’s not practical, is it? How is archery going to help me now?”

He shrugged, “Fuck practicality, Sprout.”

She chuckled at that, but the tension in her shoulders didn’t fully disappear. He could tell she was still feeling disappointed. That she had that desire to prove something to herself. She had always been a determined little girl and became a steadfast and determined young woman. The Cait from his past life was one of the strongest people he knew, and he had a feeling this one was too.

“I just wanted to do it on my own,” she said, her voice softer now. “Prove to myself I could. That I don’t need to rely on money or other people to do the things I want.”

Jayce’s smile softened, and he shifted a little closer, giving her some space but also offering support in his usual way. “Of course you can. There isn’t anything you can’t do, Cait. Just ask Sprout.”

He knocked his foot against hers. Her lips twitched into a small smile, but she still looked a little lost in the sea of ingredients and cookware. Jayce reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Look, you’ve got this, alright? You just need a little help. And that’s fine.”

She tipped her head back against the cabinets. “I just don’t understand why I can’t make this work.”

“Possibly because you chose duck a l’orange and a bunch of other stuff I can’t pronounce to make for your friends even though I guarantee you none of them care.”

“It’s not about them… it’s about me. I want to do it, I want to have fun dinner parties where I cook, and we all eat and discuss… topics of interest!”

“Topics of interest, huh? With Vi and Jinx and whoever else is coming over tonight?”

“Vi can be very insightful, you know. You would know if the two of you actually talked about anything important when you got together. You are both some of the most intelligent people I know, but put you two in a room, and it all flies out the window.”

“I take offense to that.”

Cait raised an eyebrow, smirking faintly. “Do you? Because literally yesterday, the two of you decided to get so drunk on a Thursday night that she had to stay in her childhood bedroom, and you needed a cab home.”

Jayce scratched the back of his head sheepishly, “It’s not like that happens often.” He hoped.

“The last time we went to The Last Drop all together, you both got into an argument over who could do more pushups in a minute.”

“Okay, fine. Maybe we’re not always insightful,” Jayce conceded, laughing. “But I stand by the fact that we’re entertaining.”

He wondered how Vi and him created this distinct dynamic. He hadn’t been able to spend much time with the Vi in his universe. The one plan they attempted to enact together was a disaster and then it was speeding past each other during all the madness that would come after the council explosion.

Cait waved a hand toward the chaos on the counter. “If you’re so entertaining, then entertain me by explaining how we’re going to salvage this mess.”

Jayce’s grin returned, and he stood, offering his hand to her. “Enough of the sitting. We’re going to make the best goddamn dinner party any of these people have ever seen.”

She snorted, standing up with him. “You really don’t mind?”

“Of course not, Sprout,” he said with a wink flicking her on the nose. “Let’s get to cooking.”

Caitlyn rolled up her sleeves, looking far more confident now. “Alright, let’s do this.”

--------------

The creamy scent of garlic, butter, and fresh thyme filled the apartment as Jayce layered slices of thinly cut potatoes into the dish. It was slow, methodical work. Caitlyn hovered next to him with the recipe open on her phone, glancing nervously between the screen and the chaos of the kitchen.

“Okay, so the duck is good, right?” Caitlyn asked, tapping her foot as she scanned the list. “And the onion tarts? Done?”

“Yes, and yes,” Jayce replied, smoothing out the potato layer with the back of a spoon. “Salad’s in the fridge, and we’ll dress it with that vinaigrette when it’s time. The soufflés…” He glanced at the cooling rack where the chocolate soufflés sat in their ramekins, still perfectly domed. “...are holding up. For now.”

“And the cheese plate?”

Jayce raised an eyebrow at her. “How about you handle that? It’s just arranging cheese. I think you can manage it.”

Caitlyn huffed, looking like she might argue, but instead pointed at the gratin. “And this?”

“Almost done. Just need to finish the cream and get it in the oven.”

Caitlyn frowned at the pan in front of him. “Are you sure we didn’t miss a step?”

Jayce paused, glancing at her. “What do you mean we?”

“I mean you,” she shot back, quickly scrolling through the recipe.

“Sprout,” Jayce said, tilting his head toward her, one eyebrow raised.

Caitlyn flushed. “Fine. Okay. I know I’m hovering.” She took a step back and started piling the cheese and fruit together and pulled out a clean cutting board to get started on the pear.

“Thank you,” Jayce replied. He enjoyed cooking but having to deal with both the complicated prep on all of these dishes as well as Caitlyn micromanaging the experience had left him fairly drained. He was ready for the wine to start flowing.

There was only a few moments of blessed silence before a sharp knock at the door interrupted them. Both of their heads snapped up. Caitlyn paused in her slicing, “Oh, that’s probably Vi and Louris. I’ll get it.”

Jayce continued layering the potatoes, sprinkling thyme over each layer with precision as he heard muffled voices from the entryway. A moment later, Vi’s distinct tone cut through the air like a bullhorn.

“Holy shit, Cait. This kitchen looks like it lost a fight with a tornado.”

Jayce rolled his eyes as Vi strode in, carrying a folded table under one arm like it weighed nothing. Louris followed her, his Bluetooth headphones hanging loose around his neck as he balanced a second table on his shoulder.

“Nice to see you too,” Jayce said, glancing up briefly. “And don’t start on the mess. You’re lucky we’re even letting you eat.”

Vi smirked, setting the table down with a loud thud. “I mean, I’m not wrong. Look at this place. It’s like a cheese bomb went off.” She pointed at the cutting board covered in grated cheese and half-used blocks.

“It’s called cooking, Vi. You should try it sometime,” Jayce shot back, returning his focus to the gratin.

Louris set his table down more gently, looking around. “Where do you want these?”

Caitlyn appeared at his side, “Set them up off to the side of the kitchen. We’ll move the breakfast table out of the way.”

“On it,” Vi said, picking her table up again and moving over to where Caitlyn indicated followed by Louris.

Jayce shook his head, letting out a breath as he slid the gratin into the oven over the duck. He grabbed one of the dish towels and wiped his hands clean.

 “You left your car at The Last Drop last night.”

Jayce groaned, rubbing a hand over his face, “Yeah, I know. I’ll figure it out this weekend.”

“Gym and drinks tomorrow, usual time? I can come pick you up,” she asked, like it was already locked in.

“Sure, but I’m going to have to go easy on the drinks this time.”

While he had sobered up a lot last night, that hadn’t saved him from the headache he had this morning. It’s what dragged him out of bed early and got him cleaning the apartment. He was the kind of person who couldn’t stay still when he was feeling like shit. He couldn’t go back to sleep with his head pounding. He had to get up and do something. Chug a gallon of water and move around until the feeling passed.

“Or,” Caitlyn interjected without looking up, “just gym and getting your car.”

Vi looked sheepish, “You still peeved about last night? I forgot, babe, it won’t happen again.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it.” Caitlyn deadpanned.

“I can be responsible,” Vi muttered like it was a curse word, crouching to set the table down. She wiped her hands on her jeans, “I’m just getting used to this ‘having to tell someone where I am all the time’-thing.”

Caitlyn rolled her eyes, but she had a fond expression on her face, “Just set up the tables, Vi.”

“I am setting it up,” she said, kicking one of the legs until it snapped into place.

Louris set the second table down with a quiet thud. He rolled his shoulder and glanced toward the door. “Gotta grab the chairs.”

Vi nodded, “Yeah, I’ll go down with you. Help me set these tables up first.”

“Wait,” Caitlyn said suddenly, her voice sharp with realization. “It’s five already? Everyone’s coming at six!” Her wide eyes darted to the kitchen, the chaos of scattered ingredients making her face fall.

“No shit, did you just realize that?” Vi laughed.

“Go get ready, Sprout,” Jayce said, waving her off. “I’ve got this.”

“Are you sure?” Caitlyn hesitated, looking between him and the culinary disaster zone.

“Positive. Go. I’ll handle everything here.”

She didn’t need to be told twice. Caitlyn grabbed her duffle and hurried toward the guest bathroom.

Vi and Louris quickly moved the breakfast table aside and set up the larger dining table. As Louris disappeared to fetch the chairs, Vi started adjusting the tablecloth with the precision of someone who didn’t actually care if it was crooked.

Before Vi could join Louris in his mission to fetch the chairs another voice entered the fray coming down from the hall.

“I knew I heard that grating, familiar voice,” came a singsong drawl from the hallway.

Vi heaved a heavy sigh, seeming to brace herself as Jinx strolled in like she owned the place, her sharp grin firmly in place and her blue braids bouncing behind her like streamers. She hopped up onto one of the bar stools by the island, balancing like a gargoyle surveying the kitchen.

“Powder,” Vi groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Why are you here already?”

“Cheating on my thesis,” Jinx said, flashing her teeth in a grin as she gestured toward Viktor, who was walking in behind her, his cane tapping softly against the floor. “My sexy twink genius is helping me out.”

Jayce froze mid-reach for a wheel of brie. He could feel the amusement creeping in despite not wanting to. Jinx was kind of hilarious, and it was hard to reconcile that with what he knew of her from their past life. Setting down the cheese, he turned to Jinx. “See, that’s where you’re wrong.”

Jinx tilted her head, that predatory grin widening. “Oh? Enlighten me.”

Jayce closed the gap between him and Viktor in a few purposeful strides. Without breaking eye contact with Jinx, he slid his hand to the back of Viktor’s neck, leaned down, and pressed a firm kiss to his temple.

“He’s mine,” Jayce said with a pointed smirk. He was enjoying this comradery. It had been a long time since he had a group of people to laugh with, maybe not since he first started at the academy.

Viktor’s breath hitched slightly, his lips curling into a soft smile as his eyes darted toward Jayce, “Possessive,” he murmured, tilting his head so his cheek brushed against Jayce’s collarbone for a fleeting moment.

“Yup,” Jayce replied, still holding Jinx’s gaze. “So find your own genius.”

Jinx let out a bark of laughter, leaning forward with her elbows on the counter like she might topple off the bar stool at any second. “King of Cling over here! Viktor, are you going to allow this!?”

“Mm, depends,” Viktor said, his tone teasing as he turned his eyes up toward Jayce. “Does this possession come with benefits?”

Jayce grinned, unable to stop the way his chest swelled at the look Viktor gave him. “Full coverage.”

“Gross,” Vi muttered, throwing up her hands in exasperation. “Why do you two have to be like this?”

“Disgusting,” Jinx agreed, though her grin never faltered. “Do it again.”

“No,” Vi snapped, glaring at her. “Don’t encourage them.”

“Live, laugh, love, Vi,” Jinx replied, making finger hearts in her sister’s direction.

“Live, laugh, shut up,” Vi shot back, grabbing a stack of napkins from the counter and tossing them at Jinx. “You’re insufferable.”

Jinx caught one mid-air and waved it triumphantly. “You’re just jealous because I’m the fun one.”

Jayce tuned out their bickering and pressed his mouth to Viktor’s ear, “You think you could help me with the cleanup?”

 Viktor leaned in to press a kiss against his jaw, then held up his hands, which were smeared with dark streaks of oil and soot from their earlier work. “Ah, sorry, my love,” Viktor said, his voice laced with mock sincerity. “I believe I must get myself ready. People are coming.”

Jayce narrowed his eyes playfully, wrapping his arms around Viktor’s slim waist. “You’re just trying to wriggle your way out of helping.”

Before Viktor could protest, Jayce shot forward, burying his face against Viktor’s neck like he had that morning, and blew a loud raspberry against his skin. Viktor yelped in surprise, laughing loudly and unabashedly from the shock as his shoulders shook. “Jayce!” he managed between fits of laughter, pushing at the taller man with his forearms to avoid getting him dirty, even as Jayce held him tighter and continued his assault.

“Jesus Christ,” Vi groaned from across the room, turning to glare at them. “You guys are acting like newlyweds. What the hell?”

“I love it!” Jinx added, her grin stretching impossibly wide. “More! More! More!”

“I’m going to help Louris with the chairs, or else I might have to bleach my eyes.” Vi made her way out of the apartment while Jinx yelled after her. “Coward!”

Viktor, still laughing, was unable to wriggle free from Jayce’s arms even as the other man relented in his attack. “You’re a brute.” His voice was accusatory, but his flushed cheeks gave him away.

Jayce pressed a quick kiss to Viktor’s forehead before letting him go. “Go get cleaned up. And don’t be too quick—I might jump in the shower with you.”

“No gay sex while I’m here!” Jinx shouted, throwing the napkin she’d been fidgeting with at Jayce’s head.

Viktor chuckled as he passed her, heading toward the bedroom. “No promises,” he called over his shoulder, his cane tapping lightly against the floor.

“Only if I get to watch!” She called after him.

Jayce shook his head, finishing the cheese plate with a faint grin on his lips. “That’s not going to happen,” he muttered.

“You’re no fun,” Jinx teased, crossing her arms and leaning back, tipping the bar stool precariously with a smug grin. “I like your other half better. He’d let me watch—for science!”

Jayce rolled his eyes as he slid the finished cheese plate onto the counter and grabbed a rag to start the chore of cleaning up, “Not surprising. Pretty obvious which one of us you prefer.”

Jinx rolled her eyes, “Well, if you were more fun, maybe I’d like you better.”

Jayce smirked, “Eh, I think I’m good.”

Jinx snorted, throwing another napkin in his direction. “Suit yourself, Lover-Boy.”

--------------

Viktor sat on the edge of the bed on his own. Jayce had left the room after dressing quickly to do hosting duties. Viktor’s movements were slow but precise as he adjusted the straps on his leg brace. His back brace was already secured beneath his navy pinstriped shirt and grey slacks. His vest was left unbuttoned. He hadn’t decided if he was going to wear it or not. He wasn’t entirely sure how formal this dinner party was supposed to be. His fingers moved methodically; this brace was slightly different than the one in his own world, and he was struggling with the straps.

He heard the distant murmur of voices from the living room, the telltale rise and fall of too many people talking at once. The sounds filtered through the crack in the bedroom door. Guests had arrived. He wasn’t sure who. He didn’t think he knew any of the people Jayce mentioned. The only one that caught his ear was the name Ekko because that was the man that Jayce had gone into the anomaly with alongside Heimerdinger. There was the possibility that the Ekko in this world was the same one from their own.

The door swung open behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder.

Jayce stepped in, carefully shutting the door as if to keep out the noise. His gaze landed on Viktor with a fond smile, the kind of smile that made his eyes crease at the edges. He was so handsome it hurt to look at him sometimes. Viktor liked this body more and more as time passed. The beard and the clean haircut that Jayce had before the anomaly paired together worked well, though Viktor wondered if he could convince Jayce to let his hair grow out like he had before they died, just to see which version he liked better. Jayce crossed the room in a few long strides, his hands already reaching forward.

“Here, let me help,” Jayce offered, dropping to one knee before Viktor.

Viktor tilted his head, his lips curving into a sly grin. “Is this another thing that makes you happy to do, darling?”

Jayce glanced up at him with his eyes so open and warm. “Yes, actually. It would give me great pleasure if you let me help you into your brace.”

Viktor huffed a laugh through his nose. “Far be it from me to deny you, darling.”

Jayce’s grin widened. “Far be it,” he echoed, already adjusting the brace with more success than Viktor was having. His fingers lingered, steady and patient, as if he were adjusting something far more delicate than a mechanical support. Viktor didn’t rush him. There was a time when he might have felt self-conscious about this kind of attention, but Jayce never made him feel anything but adored.

When the final strap was pulled snug, Jayce leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Viktor’s knee, right above the edge of the brace. Viktor went very still, his gaze softening.

“Tonight is going to be chaotic,” Viktor murmured, resting his palm on Jayce's head.

Jayce tilted his head back to look up at him. His eyes still crinkled with that boyish excitement. “Is it wrong that I’m actually excited for it?”

“Not at all,” Viktor replied, letting his fingers sift through Jayce’s hair, short tufts of it curling under his fingertips. He sighed, letting himself linger in this moment. “I feel like one of the things we did wrong in our past life was deny ourselves community like this. If there is one thing these versions of ourselves have done right, it is that they have built friendships.”

Jayce looked up at him, expression shifting into something warmer and deeper. He rose slowly, offering a hand to Viktor. Viktor took it, letting Jayce pull him up to his feet. Once standing, Jayce handed him his cane, fingers brushing lightly over Viktor’s.

They leaned into each other, a soft moment of stillness before the storm.

“You’re wise, you know,” Jayce said, tilting his head down just enough to bump his forehead against Viktor's.

“I try,” Viktor replied, lips curving with dry humor.

Jayce leaned in, capturing Viktor’s mouth in a soft, slow, lingering kiss. Viktor kissed back, his grip on his cane momentarily forgotten as he braced his hand against Jayce's chest.

The door swung open with a loud bang.

“Ew! No time for that!”

Both men pulled apart, glancing toward the door. Jinx stood there, one hand on the doorframe and one on her hip, her wide eyes scrunched in mock disgust. Her wild grin betrayed her amusement. “There’s a dinner party going on, lovebirds! And Isha’s here!”

The blur of movement behind her resolved into a small figure—Isha, grinning as she darted forward with all the energy of a minor hurricane. She had a little beanie perched on her wild hair and a floral dress. Her bare feet padded across the floor as she beelined straight for Viktor.

“Hello… Isha?” Viktor greeted, stiffening slightly as she threw her arms around his leg in a fierce hug. His eyes darted toward Jayce, bewildered.

Jayce’s grin returned, wide and bright. “Mr. Popular everywhere we go, huh?”

Isha, already done with Viktor, spun around and lunged at Jayce, arms outstretched. Jayce caught her with ease, hoisting her up as if she weighed nothing at all. She settled on his shoulders like a seasoned pro, giggling and clutching his hair with her small fingers.

“Looks like there’s a dinner party to attend,” Jayce said, glancing at Viktor with a wink.

Viktor shook his head, lips twitching with the threat of a smile. “I suppose there is.”

They followed Jinx and Isha back to the living area, stepping into the buzz of laughter, conversation, and the smell of something warm and savory from the kitchen.

Viktor followed behind the merry procession into the main open space of the apartment. His gaze flicked around the room, taking in the unfamiliar faces. His eyes landed on a tall, lean black boy with white hair leaning casually against the back of one of the bar stools at the kitchen island while chatting with Vi. Something about him sparked a flicker of recognition, a memory clawing its way to the surface.

The boy shifted slightly, tossing a grin at Jinx as she came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, and the fragmented memory became clear. That was the boy—the one who had thrown that anomaly, that device, at him at the top of the Hex-gates, disrupting everything. Time itself had been warped by his actions. It had aided in saving their world, had perhaps aided in what was happening now, sending them not only out of their universe but out of their time, out of their planet and into a new one.

Viktor’s stride faltered just slightly as the realization clicked into place. He couldn’t tear his eyes away, his thoughts racing. Was this Ekko? The boy from Zaun who had gotten himself torn out of his own reality by the wild rune with Jayce?

Jayce, having just set Isha back on her feet, turned toward him and caught the look on his face. “You okay, V?” he asked quietly, his brow furrowing in concern.

Viktor tilted his head slightly, his voice low but steady. “Is that… Ekko?”

Jayce followed his gaze to the boy and nodded. “Yeah, that’s Ekko.”

A flicker of unease and curiosity crossed Viktor’s features. “That is the boy who threw the device at me,” he murmured, his tone more contemplative than accusatory.

Jayce straightened, startled. “Wait, back in our world?”

“Yes,” Viktor confirmed, his lips pressing together as he considered the implications.

Jayce’s eyes widened, and he glanced back at Ekko, who was now laughing at something Vi said. “So he was able to return after the Wild Rune…” He paused, processing the thought. “But that would mean… this Ekko can’t possibly be from our world. He must be from this one.”

Viktor nodded slowly. “That is the most logical probability.”

Before Jayce could respond, Caitlyn’s voice cut through the hum of conversation, her tone polished and precise. “Anyone want wine? We have cheese here while we wait for the duck. We’ll sit down at the table once everyone is here.”

Viktor allowed himself a moment to exhale, shifting his focus to Caitlyn as she moved through the room with the stilted grace of an unpracticed host. The table was already set, a formal display of polished silverware and neatly folded napkins, which stood out against the casual attire most of the guests seemed to be wearing. Caitlyn, however, stood out in a deep blue slip dress, her hair styled elegantly and her makeup subtle but striking.

As the others mingled, the front door opened again, and in strolled a wiry man with a comically exaggerated swagger. His tuxedo was an assault on the senses—poorly tailored, with the jacket slightly too long and the bow tie tilted at an odd angle. His thin mustache, an ill-advised attempt at sophistication, looked more like a teenager’s first attempt at facial hair. To top it off, his shoes, though polished to a mirror shine, were far too large, clomping against the floor with each step. It almost grated on him as he noticed now that most of everyone was wearing shoes in the apartment. This was not something he ever thought of before in his old life but something about it was bothering him now. Like his phantom counterpart was hovering over his shoulder begging him to tell everyone to take their shoes off at the door.

Following behind the man with the silly mustache was a taller man with a strong jawline and clean-shaven face that radiated confidence. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his broad shoulders filled out a simple but well-fitted button-down shirt and slacks. There was something about him that reminded Viktor of Jayce in a way. He was carrying a bouquet which he handed to Caitlyn as they greeted.

“Oooh, fancy, fancy,” the man with the silly mustache declared with a grand gesture, grinning as if he were the star of the evening.

Viktor leaned slightly toward Jayce, his voice dropping into a whisper. “I have no idea who these people are.”

Jayce’s lips twitched into a lopsided smile. “Neither do I. But we have to pretend.”

Caitlyn ushered them further into the gathering, and they proceeded to join her in the kitchen area. She gestured toward the slender one with the silly mustache and the other man who just entered, “Oh, Viktor! You remember Mylo and Claggor, Vi’s foster brothers?”

“Just brothers,” Vi corrected quickly, a little sharper than necessary.

Ekko, having turned his attention to the conversation, grinned at Viktor. “So, how’s the teleporter going? Any breakthroughs yet?”

Before Viktor could answer, Jinx, resting her chin on Ekko’s shoulder, answered for him, “All we did was some math and put the pieces together,” she said with an exaggerated yawn, clearly downplaying their progress.

Viktor allowed himself a small smile. “The project is fascinating. I am anticipating working on it more tomorrow.”

Ekko nodded approvingly, then leaned in slightly, his voice dropping conspiratorially. “I’ve got some good stuff for you. It’s called Lavender Haze,” he said, glancing around as if sharing a secret. “Supposedly great for chronic pain. A lot of cancer patients use it.”

Viktor blinked, unsure of what Ekko was referring to but unwilling to break the flow of the conversation. “Ah, I see,” he said, nodding in polite agreement, though the specifics eluded him.

Ekko grinned. “I gave it to Jinx when I came in. She’ll give it to you at some point since she’s staying over.”

Jinx raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. “You and me, Twink Jesus, balcony after we eat all this fancy food.”

Before Viktor could respond, Caitlyn approached, her heels clicking softly on the floor. “Viktor, Jayce,” she said, “come meet Maddie and Steb.”

She gestured toward the door where the latest arrivals were stepping in. Maddie, a petite woman with short auburn hair, wore a sleek black cocktail dress that stopped mid-thigh, paired with kitten heels. She seemed confident with a cute round face and freckles, as she greeted Caitlyn with a pair of light kisses on each cheek.

“Oh, don’t you look absolutely smashing tonight, Cait,” Maddie said with a playful grin.

“Thanks, Maddie,” Caitlyn replied, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “Maddie, Steb, this is Jayce and Viktor.”

Steb stepped forward with a rather stern face, extending a hand to Jayce. He was striking, with pale skin, thick blond hair swept neatly to the side, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to notice everything. His features carried a Nordic elegance—a straight nose and high cheekbones complemented by his tall, lean build. His button-down shirt and slacks were simple but well-fitted. Viktor couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was.

“A pleasure,” Steb said, his voice calm and even. “Caitlyn’s told us quite a bit about the two of you.”

“Hopefully, all good things,” Jayce replied, shaking Steb’s hand and offering a warm smile.

“All good,” Maddie cut in, her tone teasing. “Though I can’t imagine Caitlyn running a smear campaign on her own brother!”

Cait jumped in to correct her, “Oh, Jayce isn’t my real brother. He’s just, you know, like a brother. We’ve known each other since I was a little girl! Our mothers are good friends.”

Vi, who had been lingering on the other side of the island near the door, rolled her eyes and made her way to the living room where Mylo, Claggor, and Louris had migrated together, muttering something under her breath. She leaned an arm casually on the back of the couch, clearly annoyed with something.

The cheerful buzz of conversation was interrupted by the sharp ding of the oven. Caitlyn immediately perked up. “That’s the duck,” she said, moving toward the oven.

Jayce followed behind, shaking his head. “No, it’s for the potatoes. Duck’s got another thirty to forty-five minutes.”

“Oh,” Caitlyn said, pausing mid-step and looking slightly flustered. “Alright.”

Jayce stepped ahead, grabbing an oven mitt as he opened the door. The rich aroma of garlic and cream spilled into the room as he carefully pulled the gratin dauphinois from the oven and placed it on a cooling rack.

Caitlyn clapped her hands lightly to gather everyone’s attention, her bright hostess smile firmly in place. “Alright, now that everyone’s here, there’s no need to just stand around waiting. Let’s all sit and get started with the first course!”

She gestured toward the dining table, which had been impeccably set with polished silverware, fine china, and even place cards marking everyone’s seats. The formal setup was at odds with the casual vibe in the room, but Caitlyn carried herself with the poise of someone determined to make it work.

As everyone began moving toward the table, Jayce glanced at Caitlyn with a teasing look, the corner of his mouth twitching. Viktor, trailing just behind him, caught the exchange. Jayce’s expression practically radiated mischief, but Caitlyn resolutely avoided his gaze, her focus pinned firmly on the table and everyone sitting down.

Jayce pulled out Viktor’s chair when they reached their seats, a gesture Viktor appreciated more than he let on. He murmured a quiet “Thank you” as he settled down, allowing Jayce to set his cane aside. These small acts of care, though not new, still managed to warm Viktor’s chest in ways he wasn’t entirely accustomed to expressing.

Viktor noted the seating arrangement as he glanced around. He and Jayce were positioned with their backs to the window, himself seated between Jayce and Jinx. Across sat Claggor, who was already leaning back in his chair. Vi had taken her place beside him across from Jayce.

Caitlyn remained standing, continuing her speech to all of them as if this was some formal meeting. “The first course will be caramelized onion tarts paired with a watercress and endive salad, dressed with a walnut vinaigrette.” She paused, lifting her chin slightly, “I’ve also paired it with a Sancerre—a crisp, light white wine that complements the flavors.”

Viktor blinked, momentarily distracted by the sheer effort Caitlyn had put into this dinner or, more accurately, Jayce on Caitlyn’s behalf. It was...a bit excessive. He wondered if her perfectionism stemmed from the same insecurity he sometimes glimpsed in her in their old world or if this was some unique manifestation.

Across the table, Maddie lit up, her delight as performative as Caitlyn’s speech. “Cait, you’ve outdone yourself! This is absolutely wonderful.”

Jayce leaned back in his chair, his hand resting lightly on Viktor’s thigh under the table. The subtle squeeze he gave was enough to draw Viktor’s attention, and their gazes met. They didn’t need words. The shared glance carried all their mutual amusement at the show before them.

“Really, babe, this is so impressive,” Maddie continued, her warm, honeyed tone making Viktor and Jayce catch each other’s eyes again.

Viktor’s attention shifted to Vi, who sat directly across from Jayce. Her sharp gaze flicked between Maddie and Caitlyn, then settled on Jayce with an expression that could only be described as exasperated. It was as though she were silently willing him to do something—or perhaps trying to decipher what exactly he was thinking. Viktor followed her line of sight, catching Jayce’s subtle, flickering glances between Maddie, Caitlyn, and Vi herself.

Jayce’s usual ease in social settings seemed momentarily at odds with the undercurrents in the room. His charm, typically his greatest weapon, faltered as he tried to decode the dynamics around him. Viktor felt a small pang of amusement; it was rare to see Jayce flounder in a crowd, and though Viktor himself often struggled with such social intricacies, there was something oddly endearing about watching his husband experience a similar moment of uncertainty. Perhaps chaos, in its way, was a universal equalizer.

Next to Maddie, Mylo smirked, leaning back in his chair, “You’re not wrong, Maddie. Cait’s got some serious skills, really pulled this off,” he said, his voice dripping with the kind of confidence that lacked any real substance. “Though, I have to ask—are you always this good at making people feel special, or is tonight just my lucky break?” Mylo’s voice oozed with faux charm, his grin confident but teetering dangerously close to smarmy. It wasn’t a question so much as an attempt at being clever, but it landed with all the grace of a brick.

Maddie turned to him, her response immediate and blistering. The glare she shot his way was so sharp Viktor nearly winced on Mylo’s behalf. It was a masterful display, her sneer subtle enough to keep Caitlyn oblivious but loud enough for everyone else to catch.

“Wow, Mylo, it’s shocking that you don’t have a girlfriend,” Claggor quipped.

Viktor bit back a smile. Claggor had an understated way of delivering a punchline. This group was a handful, and he was greatly enjoying being an observer. Usually, when he was invited to these stuffy things with Jayce, it was all Piltover elites who kept the conversation about their money and how they were getting more of it. It was dry and dull and boring, and he refused to go to most of them. He had stopped going completely as his health failed, refusing to be looked over and judged by those people leaving Jayce to brave them on his own.

Caitlyn carried on with her plating, entirely unaffected by the undercurrent of tension. Viktor couldn’t decide if her focus stemmed from genuine obliviousness or a willful refusal to acknowledge the chaos around her. Perhaps it was both. She was the one determined to make this dinner party into a formal event.

“I’ll bring the food out in just a moment,” she said, her voice calm, but there was a tremor there that revealed her nervousness.

Jayce, ever gallant, rose from his seat almost immediately. “I’ll help,” he said, crossing to the counter before Caitlyn could protest.

Viktor watched as they fell into an easy rhythm, Caitlyn methodically preparing each plate while Jayce carried them to the table two at a time.

Dinner commenced, voices rising and falling in easy waves as the room filled with the warmth of conversation and the clink of cutlery against plates. Viktor observed the scene, his fork poised above his plate as a quiet realization settled deep in his bones. The sensation was almost foreign, a kind of belonging he could not remember ever truly experiencing.

In all his life, he had never known this. Even in the Undercity, where he had grown up, he had always been somewhat separate. His disability had set him apart, rendering him unable to participate fully in the rough-and-tumble camaraderie of the children around him. He had been an observer even then, his sharp mind and fragile body creating a gulf he could never quite bridge.

Later, at the academy, the divide had only deepened. Lying his way into Piltover’s hallowed halls, he had found recognition but not acceptance. Even after being mentored by Heimerdinger, his peers viewed him with suspicion, their politeness thinly veiling disdain.

For so long, he had lived at the edges, tethered only to his work. Alone until the fateful day, Jayce’s workshop exploded and changed the trajectory of both their lives. That had been the tipping point, the moment when Viktor had allowed himself, tentatively, to step closer to another human being. Jayce had been his first true companion, his only friend in the isolating expanse of Piltover’s elite society. Even then, Viktor had kept a part of himself closed off, shielding his heart out of a lifelong habit of self-preservation.

Now, as he looked around the table at these people—teasing, sniping, laughing, and sharing a meal—he felt something begin to shift. This wasn’t just a gathering. It was a family. A community. And the more he allowed himself to be a part of it, the less he wanted to give it back. The thought surprised him, but not in an unpleasant way. It was a quiet longing, a feeling of being anchored in something larger than himself.

Viktor’s gaze shifted to Jayce, who was helping Caitlyn with the next round of plates, his easy smile lighting up the room. Jayce had always been his constant, his tether. But now, for the first time, Viktor felt the possibility of something more—a world where their life wasn’t just the two of them standing alone but part of something vibrant and messy and alive.

--------------

The table was a chaotic masterpiece of empty plates, wine-streaked glasses, and scattered cutlery. Laughter bubbled up in bursts, threading through the conversation and clinking glasses. Viktor’s head was light from the wine Caitlyn had so carefully paired with each course. He had no idea how many glasses Jayce had refilled for him throughout the evening, nor how they interacted with his medication. He didn’t care. His head felt floaty, a pleasant buzz wrapping around him like a comforting fog. It wasn’t often that he allowed himself to indulge in drinking. Come to think of it…he was pretty sure the last time had been at one of those gala fundraising events with Jayce back when he actually went to them occasionally. And even then, he never drank enough to feel anything from it. He didn’t enjoy getting drunk around those people. Jayce also had never seemed to be a big drinker back in their world.

Across the table, Caitlyn stood, her posture impeccable, the light sheen of the wine and the evening’s success glowing on her cheeks. She gestured toward the kitchen with a practiced smile, her voice rising above the din to catch everyone’s attention.

“Time for dessert,” she announced.

Vi shot up in a blur. “I’ll help,” she said quickly, cutting across Maddie’s polite inhale. Maddie, halfway out of her seat, froze mid-motion. Her big blue eyes flicked to Vi, one brow arching as she settled back down with a little pout. These people were endlessly fascinating.

He turned his attention to the other side of the table, where Steb was signing something to Isha, who giggled and mimicked him, her little hands shaping clumsy gestures. Ekko leaned closer, watching them with interest.

“You sign?” Ekko asked, his grin wide and curious.

Jinx answered first, leaning back in her chair. “We’ve all been learning. She’s way better at it than me, though. Kid’s a natural.”

Steb smiled, setting his napkin down. “My mother is deaf,” he explained, his voice calm and even. “So it’s practically my first language.”

“Man, you’re just full of surprises, huh?” Ekko said, leaning back with an approving nod.

Caitlyn returned, carrying a tray with the confidence of someone presenting a prized work of art. On it sat an array of little ramekins full of little perfect chocolate soufflés, their deep brown crusts rising high above the dishes. She began passing them around the table. Vi came around to give everyone a small sherry glass, pouring a generous finger of a small round bottle with the name Chambord written across it in gold.

A collective “ooooh” rippled through the room.

“It looks perfect,” Louris said, leaning forward to get a better look.

Viktor blinked at the soufflé. Jayce had really outdone himself tonight, and he was feeling the itch to reveal the truth about the chef, but he held his tongue. Viktor glanced at him as he took a sip of the sweet dessert liquor, raising a brow, his lips quirking into a faint smile. Jayce only grinned in response.

The clinking of forks on plates mixed with murmurs of approval as the group savored the dessert. Viktor took a small bite, the bittersweet chocolate melting against his tongue in a way that felt indulgent. He leaned back in his chair, glancing around the table at the lively faces and animated chatter.

Across the table, Louris leaned toward Ekko and Jinx. “Do you think she’s been practicing soufflés for weeks just for this?”

Mylo lamented. “Nah. Cait’s just that annoyingly good at everything.”

“She made these soufflés,” Viktor murmured to Jayce, his voice low with a cocked eyebrow. Jayce glanced at him, the corner of his mouth twitching with barely contained laughter.

“You need to hush,” Jayce teased. “It’s her night. Let her have it.”

Viktor chuckled softly, setting down his fork. As dessert plates began to empty and conversations shifted toward the inevitable chaos of post-dinner games, Viktor found himself silently marveling at the strange alchemy of the night.

Jinx stood, her grin wide and mischievous as she marched back to the guest bedroom and she reappeared carrying an armload of game boxes, dropping them onto the table with an exaggerated flourish.

“I bring you… options,” she declared, fanning her arms out dramatically.

Vi leaned forward, squinting at the titles. “What games did you bring, Powder?”

Jinx’s grin faltered for only a split second before she shot back. “It’s Jinx, Vi. Jinx. And I brought Monopoly, Cards Against Humanity, and Werewolf.”

Mylo groaned loudly, throwing his head back. “Cards Against Humanity is so tired. It’s over. No one plays that anymore.”

Jinx made a face, her retort ready. “Your mustache is tired, but you don’t see me saying anything.”

The table erupted into laughter, with Mylo clutching his chest as though mortally wounded.

Louris, looking genuinely perplexed, interjected. “What’s wrong with Cards Against Humanity? I think it’s a good game.”

Ekko rolled his eyes with a grin. “Werewolf is better. Unless anyone has, like, some convoluted opinion on why we shouldn’t play it.”

Vi raised a hand like a referee. “If anyone even mentions Monopoly, I’m out.”

Jinx threw her hands up in mock exasperation. “Hey, you told me to bring games. You didn’t give me a ‘no Monopoly’ clause.”

Viktor, who had been quiet for most of the exchange, tilted his head slightly, his wine-buzzed brain catching on something. “What is a Cards Against Humanity? Why are the cards against humanity?”

His earnest question sent another ripple of laughter through the table. Vi grinned and leaned forward. “Maybe it’s worth a round just to watch Viktor play it for the first time.”

Jayce leaned closer to Viktor, his voice low, a smile tugging at his lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk before.”

Viktor turned toward him, their faces suddenly close—nose to nose, his breath warm. “You still haven’t,” Viktor replied, his voice steady, though his lips brushed against Jayce’s as he spoke.

Jayce grinned wider, eyes flicking to Viktor’s mouth. “You’re real close.”

While the table continued their debate, Ekko chimed in. “Isha plays Werewolf at school. She’s a pro at it.”

“Hell yeah, she is!” Jinx crowed, draping an arm over Ekko’s shoulder as she beamed at the little girl, who nodded enthusiastically.

Jayce leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Viktor’s lips. Viktor hummed in response, his hand lifting to rest lightly on Jayce’s neck and jaw.

Vi slapped her palm on the table. “We better start playing, or our hosts are going to end up making out!”

Jayce pulled back just enough to glance over at her. “Hey, you’re in our house. You don’t get to comment on how I show affection to my husband.”

The room broke into laughter, with Jinx cackling loudest of all.

“Let’s move this party to the living room and get the game set up,” Ekko suggested.

With that, the group began to migrate, the room buzzing with energy and the clatter of chairs being pushed back. Jayce moved to help Viktor stand, his hand slipping under his elbow. Viktor’s head did a little swoop as he rose, the buzz from the wine making the room tilt slightly off-center. His cane clattered softly against the table as he stumbled, and Jayce caught him with an arm around his waist.

“Are you sure you’re not at least a little drunk?” Jayce asked, his voice low and teasing, though concern flickered in his eyes.

“Maybe a little,” Viktor admitted, his words slow and deliberate as if testing his own steadiness.

Jayce huffed, his lips quirking up in a wry smile. “I’m going to have to cut you off. I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be drinking on your pain meds.”

“You should have thought of that before you kept filling my glass, darling,” Viktor shot back with mock exasperation, leaning into Jayce’s hold. His golden-brown eyes gleamed with mischief. “It’s too late now. What is more going to harm?”

Jayce snorted, his grip tightening slightly to steady Viktor, his face dipping down as if to kiss him again.

Before Jayce could, Vi’s voice rang out from across the apartment. “Hey, lovebirds! Are you going to come play with us, or should we find a record to put on to drown out the sounds of your lovemaking?”

The room erupted into laughter. Jinx doubled over, cackling, and even Ekko chuckled, shaking his head as he shuffled a deck of cards.

Viktor straightened, his dignity mostly intact as he took up his cane from the floor with Jayce’s assistance and gave Vi a pointed look. “You should mind your own business, Vi,” he said, his voice dry but tinged with amusement.

“Fat chance,” she shot back, smirking as she flopped onto the couch.

Jayce and Viktor joined the others in the living room, where the coffee table had been cleared and repurposed for the game. Ekko was meticulously shuffling a deck of cards while Jinx tinkered with a large flat-view screen that she’d set up on the table.

Jayce dropped onto the floor around the coffee table, his legs folding easily beneath him. Without hesitation—and seemingly without thinking—Viktor lowered himself onto Jayce’s lap, his movements careful. Jayce froze for a moment, clearly surprised, before his expression melted into unbridled happiness. He wrapped his arms around Viktor’s waist, his head tilting to bury his face against the crook of Viktor’s neck.

“Won’t you guys sitting like that make it harder to play?” Mylo asked, leaning back on his hands with a smirk. “It’s kind of like cheating.”

“I don’t have to play,” Viktor replied smoothly, his voice light as he tilted his head slightly toward Jayce, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“No!” Jinx interjected quickly, her voice sharp with mock indignation. “It’s fine. Shut up, Mylo. You’re just jealous because they get to be lover-boys, and you’re all alone.”

The table broke into snickers and groans as Mylo threw his hands up in surrender. “Fine, whatever. Just don’t cry when I win,” he said, reaching for a bottle of wine and topping off his glass.

Ekko cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention as he began to explain the rules of the game. “Alright, listen up! Werewolf is simple. We’ve got villagers, we’ve got werewolves, and we’ve got chaos. You’ll each get a card that tells you your role. Villagers try to figure out who the werewolves are and vote them off during the day.”

“Simple, huh?” Louris asked, his brows lifting skeptically.

Ekko grinned, his eyes glinting with excitement. “The fun is in the arguing, accusing, and convincing everyone you’re innocent while you stab them in the back.”

“Sounds delightful,” Viktor murmured, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he relaxed further into Jayce’s hold.

Ekko ignored the comment, continuing as he dealt out cards. “Roles are secret. No peeking or trading, and don’t worry, Isha’s a pro. She’ll show you how it’s done.”

The little girl beamed at the attention, holding up her hands with enthusiasm. Jinx ruffled her hair affectionately, “Hell yeah, she will!”

Ekko shuffled the deck of cards, his grin widening as he dealt them out one by one. The table fell into a quiet buzz of anticipation, broken only by the sound of cards sliding across the surface. Viktor’s card landed in front of him, face down. He hesitated for a moment before flipping it open in his hands, his sharp eyes scanning the word printed in bold: Werewolf.

He suppressed a faint smile, carefully placing the card face down on the table. He glanced at Jayce, who had picked up his card and was already leaning closer to him.

“What are you?” Jayce whispered, his voice low enough to avoid carrying to the others.

Before Viktor could respond, Ekko’s voice cut through the room, “Hey, no whispering, Jayce! We’ll have to separate you guys—that’s cheating.”

Viktor tilted his head slightly, his lips quirking up into a faintly mischievous smirk. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” he said smoothly, his tone laced with just enough mystery to keep Jayce guessing. He placed his card back down, ignoring the way Jayce narrowed his eyes at him in playful suspicion.

Jinx clapped her hands, pulling everyone’s attention back to the table. “Alright, does everyone know what they are?” she asked, looking around at the group.

A chorus of affirmations followed, some more enthusiastic than others. Mylo muttered a distracted “Yeah,” while Jinx’s “Yup!” came with a devilish grin.

Jinx pressed a button on the flat, glowing view screen she had set up earlier. The screen came to life, its smooth, automated voice booming across the room accompanied by music. “Everyone close your eyes. Werewolves, wake up and look for other werewolves. If there is only one werewolf, you may look at a card from the center.”

Viktor complied, shutting his eyes before cautiously opening them again. Across the table, Isha met his gaze, her small face lighting up with a grin so triumphant that Viktor almost laughed. She winked at him with an exaggerated flourish. Viktor barely inclined his head in acknowledgment, careful not to disturb Jayce, whose arms were still loosely draped around his waist.

The voice continued, guiding the next phases. “Werewolves, close your eyes. Minion, wake up. Werewolves, stick out your thumb, so the minion can see who you are.”

Viktor resisted the urge to shift as he carefully extended his thumb, keeping his movements subtle so as not to alert Jayce.

“Werewolves, put your thumb away. Minion, close your eyes.”

The roles cycled through: Seer, Robber, Troublemaker, Drunk, and Insomniac. Though Viktor’s eyes remained closed, the faint rustling of fabric and shifting around the table told him that others were taking their turns. He noted the subtle movements but couldn’t discern much beyond the fact that Jayce hadn’t moved at all.

Finally, the voice declared, “Everyone, reach out and move your cards around slightly. Everyone, wake up!”

The room erupted almost instantly.

“Alright, who’s the Seer?” Jinx demanded, her hands slapping the table as she leaned forward, her eyes sweeping over the group.

“I have information,” Mylo announced dramatically, leaning back in his chair with an air of importance. “But I’m not going to share it yet. Let’s see what everyone else has to say first.”

Jayce had an easy smile on his face, like he was just happy to be there, “Well, just to get this out there, I’m a villager.”

Vi snorted. “Fuck that! That’s everyone’s go-to strategy.”

Jayce frowned, “How would I know that? This is my first time playing.”

Maddie leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “A likely excuse. I think you’re a werewolf.”

Steb, who had been quiet so far, turned his attention to Viktor. “Viktor, did he move at all during the eyes-closed part?”

Viktor kept his face as neutral as possible, “I think it is unjust to try and get me to expose my husband,” he said smoothly, though the faint twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement.

Jinx’s grin widened. “Ooooh, so there’s something to expose,” she said, her voice laced with mischief. She then redirected and pointed a finger at Mylo. “I think it’s Mylo.”

“What?!” Mylo threw up his hands, his voice rising in pitch. “Why is it always me? You know what, it’s suspicious that you’d accuse me at all! That’s deflection!”

“Okay, then what’s this information you supposedly have?” Jinx shot back, crossing her arms as she leaned closer.

The back-and-forth carried on, with accusations flying and alliances forming. Viktor stayed quiet, observing the chaos with growing amusement. Isha sat with her hands folded, her expression the picture of innocence. She caught Viktor’s eye again, and they shared a subtle look of understanding. Neither of them had to lift a finger.

When the voting came around, it was no surprise that Mylo ended up on the chopping block.

“You’ll be sorry!” Mylo declared dramatically as he turned his card over, revealing Hunter. His expression morphed into one of exaggerated martyrdom as he leaned back on his hands. “Guess what? You killed the one guy who could save you.”

Jayce raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Well, who did you rob from, then? If you’re the hunter now, you must’ve switched.”

Mylo shook his head vehemently. “Nope. I’ve been killed, remember? Dead men tell no tales.” He stood up with an air of wounded pride, crossing to the couch and flopping onto it like a man burdened by the incompetence of his companions. “You’re all on your own now.”

The game resumed, much to Viktor’s quiet amusement. The roles cycled again, the Hunter now removed from play. The group once more plunged into the delightful chaos of accusations and strategies. Viktor was almost positive that Jinx was the minion. Her quick redirections and sharp commentary consistently pulled attention away from him and Isha.

“Okay, Vi,” Louris declared, “You’re way too defensive. You’ve got to be the werewolf.”

Vi groaned, “I was the Hunter before Mylo switched me, and unless the Trouble Maker”—she pointed across the table at Jinx—“didn’t mess with my card, then I’m the Robber. Checkmate.”

Jinx rolled her eyes for dramatic effect. “And if you’re the Robber, why didn’t you rob? You’re totally a werewolf.”

Steb squinted, tilting his head like he was trying to solve a particularly difficult equation. “Wait… does that make Jinx the Trouble Maker for sure?”

Caitlyn leaned forward, her brow furrowed in thought. “You know who’s really suspicious?” She let the tension build before pointing a finger. “Viktor and Jayce. They’re just sitting there doing nothing.”

Jayce, whose head was currently buried in the curve of Viktor’s neck as he kissed him lazily, looked up with a confused expression. “What?”

“Dude, get a grip!” Vi exclaimed, her tone exasperated.

Jinx cackled, slapping the table. “That looked like werewolf activities to me!”

Viktor’s lips quirked up in a faint smile, but he said nothing, leaning slightly into Jayce’s hold. The others, now riled up, argued fiercely before the votes came in.

The finger-pointing eventually landed on Vi. When she flipped her card, it revealed Villager—not a werewolf.

“The Trouble Maker struck me!” Vi declared, slumping back onto the couch with a theatrical sigh.

The group launched into another round, the energy still high. Viktor and Isha remained in quiet sync throughout, the others never quite able to pin them down. In the end, it was Viktor and Isha who stood victorious.

Jayce leaned in, his arms still around Viktor. “How did you keep doing that without me feeling you move?” he asked, clearly impressed.

Viktor only smiled and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Jayce’s lips as his answer. Jayce grinned into the kiss, shaking his head.

Ekko clapped his hands together. “Alright, let’s do another round!” he announced, collecting the cards in preparation for a shuffle.

As the others chatted and prepared, Jinx caught Viktor’s eye from across the table. With a quick tilt of her head, she signaled him to follow her. Viktor raised an eyebrow but rose without a word. Jayce glanced up at him, questioning with his eyes where Viktor was going.

Viktor shrugged, brushing his hand briefly over Jayce’s shoulder before following Jinx toward the guest bedroom.

--------------

The guest room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the bedside lamp casting long shadows across the room. Viktor followed Jinx in and watched her hunt around. His head was still swimming pleasantly from the wine, a light, floaty fog that he found himself enjoying. Jinx rummaged through a small duffle bag she had slung over the chair, her movements quick and determined.

“Ah-ha!” she declared, pulling out a small baggie filled with neatly rolled joints. She held it up triumphantly, “Lavender Haze,” she said, her grin widening. “Just what the doctor ordered.”

Viktor tilted his head slightly, studying the baggie. His mind raced to piece together what it was, but his expression remained neutral. They resembled slim cigarettes. The kind you rolled yourself instead of purchasing in a pack. It had been his preference when he was young. He had stopped smoking when it caused more pain to his lungs then stress relief, maybe a year or so before his diagnosis. Perhaps this version of himself hadn’t stopped.

“It’s been some time since I’ve indulged in such habits,” he said carefully. That much was true, and it left enough room for Jinx to assume he knew exactly what she was talking about.

“You? Pfft, is a week a long time,” Jinx quipped, slipping one of the rolled cigars out of the baggie and grabbing a lighter, then jerking her head toward the door. “Come on.”

Viktor straightened, smoothing his vest and nodding. “Lead the way.”

As they made their way to the balcony, Viktor caught Jayce’s eye. Jayce, mid-conversation with Vi and Caitlyn, still knee-deep in another round of Werewolf, noticed them going outside and raised a curious eyebrow. Viktor gave a small, reassuring nod. Jayce seemed to understand, offering a brief, fond smile before returning to the game.

The cool night air met them as Jinx slid open the glass door, the distant noise of the city filling the silence. The balcony was an inviting jungle of plants, with a small table and two chairs. Viktor settled into one of them, leaning back as he gazed out at the skyline. The breeze tugged at his hair, and for a moment, he closed his eyes, letting the stillness wash over him.

Jinx dropped into the other chair, placing the little dish she brought on the table and setting up the strange cigarette, the lavender haze. She lit it up, taking a slow drag before holding it out to Viktor.

“I feel like you appreciate the irony,” she said, exhaling the smoke with a sly grin.

Viktor took the joint, eyeing it cautiously. “You mean the irony of smoking for someone with a lung disease?”

“Exactly,” she said, leaning back and watching him expectantly.

He took a tentative drag, and the smoke hit him hard. He coughed, doubling over slightly as his lungs rebelled against the intrusion.

“Oh my God!” Jinx burst out laughing, her voice ringing in the night. “Every time. Every single time. You’re killing me.”

Viktor waved a hand, still coughing. “I… have a lung disease, Jinx.”

“You’d think they’d get used to it since you do it enough.” She grinned wider, clearly amused by the absurdity of it, “I’ve seen those pictures of when you were my age, you were a chain smoker—admit it!”

Despite himself, Viktor laughed, the sound soft and raspy. He took another drag, this time slower, more intentional. The smoke swirled in his chest, warm and surprisingly soothing. He passed it back to her, settling deeper into his chair.

The conversation turned quieter as they passed the joint back and forth, the city lights shimmering in the distance. Jinx stared at the horizon, her grin fading into something softer.

“You think it can work?” she asked suddenly, “Or am I just getting my hopes up?”

Viktor glanced at her, noting the uncharacteristic vulnerability in her voice. He considered her question carefully, his fingers tracing idle patterns on the armrest.

“The theory is there,” he said, his voice slow and deliberate. “It’s just… making it a reality. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned—” He paused, meeting her gaze. “It’s making the impossible a reality.”

Jinx breathed out slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “You know,” she said after a moment, her voice softer than usual, “I didn’t like Cait very much when I first met her. Hell, I still don’t like her all that much now. But… I’m glad Vi met her. Otherwise, I’d have never met you.”

Viktor’s chest tightened, the weight of her words settling over him. He thought of the alternate version of Jinx he knew—brilliant, chaotic, and broken by the world she’d been born into. “I wish I had met you sooner, Jinx,” he said quietly. His voice carried a wistfulness that wasn’t entirely about this version of her.

Jinx tilted her head, studying him. Then she smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m pretty pissed off at the universe for making you die.”

Viktor nodded, “Yeah,” he said softly. “Me too.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the joint burning slowly between them. The city lights flickered in the distance, their glow softened by the haze in Viktor’s head. He took another slow drag, letting the lightness in his chest settle over him, and passed the joint back to Jinx. She accepted it, watching him curiously.

After a moment, Viktor spoke again, his voice thoughtful. “You know,” he began, “when I was younger, I believed life was a straight line—a path to a singular destination. Achieving something great, leaving a mark… it seemed like the only thing that mattered. But the truth is…” He paused, gesturing vaguely with his hand as if searching for the right words. “It’s not about the end. It’s about the journey. Whether you succeed or fail in your ambitions, the act of striving, of creating, of living—that is what makes life worthwhile.”

Jinx blinked at him, her expression caught somewhere between surprise and amusement. “Damn,” she said, taking another drag. “I didn’t ask for the fortune cookie treatment.”

Viktor chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. “It seemed like you needed some encouragement.”

“Not that much, cookie,” she shot back with a smirk, blowing out a slow plume of smoke.

Their shared laughter faded into a comfortable quiet, the kind that didn’t demand filling. The night air felt cooler now, crisp against Viktor’s flushed cheeks, and he let his eyes drift over the cityscape. His head buzzed with warmth and the faintest edge of detachment. For a moment, it felt like enough—to sit here, to be present, to share the stillness with someone who understood, even in their own chaotic way.

The sound of the sliding door broke the moment.

“Are you two coming back inside, or are you gonna mope all night?” Vi’s voice cut through the quiet, her hands planted firmly on her hips as she frowned at them. Her eyes flicked between Viktor and Jinx, narrowing slightly as realization dawned. “Wait a second—are you two—”

She stepped fully onto the balcony, closing the door behind her, her voice dropping, “Alright. Hand it over.”

Jinx and Viktor exchanged a glance. Twin grins spread across their faces like conspirators caught in the act.

Jinx held the joint aloft with a mock flourish. “Vi, Vi, Vi. The responsible older sister.”

Vi snatched it from her hand, muttering, “If anyone asks, I’m being a good influence.” She took a quick hit, holding it for a moment before exhaling smoothly, and passed it back to Jinx.

Jinx laughed, delighted. “Good influence, huh?”

Vi shrugged, leaning back against the balcony railing, the city lights making her into a silhouette. “I figure someone’s gotta keep an eye on you two degenerates.”

Viktor arched a brow, his voice tinged with dry humor. “Ah, so you’ve appointed yourself our chaperone?”

“Damn right,” Vi replied, her lips quirking into a half-smile. “Can’t let you two cause an international incident.”

Jinx snorted, taking another drag and passing the joint to Viktor. “Yeah, right. Like anyone would suspect me of doing anything shady.” Her wide grin was nothing short of devilish.

Viktor accepted the joint, shaking his head faintly as he took a slower, more cautious drag. He held the smoke for a moment, letting the warmth bloom in his chest before exhaling in a soft stream. “Yes, you are the very picture of innocence,” he said, his tone as dry as the night air.

Vi chuckled, folding her arms across her chest. “Gotta admit, though, this is kind of nice. Just… hanging out. I didn’t know how this night was going to go, but it turned out alright. No horrible incidents.”

“Yet,” Jinx quipped, winking as she reached for the joint. “Give it time.”

The three of them fell into an easy rhythm, the joint passing between them like a shared secret. Viktor leaned back in his chair, his head tilted toward the sky. The haze in his mind deepened.

Vi’s gaze drifted over the skyline, a frown crossing her face. “Have you guys noticed Maddie tonight,” she said, her voice lower now, “She’s been all over Caitlyn’s dick.”

Jinx rolled her eyes, exhaling a lazy puff of smoke. “Ugh, Vi, don’t get all jealous about the girlfriend who literally wants to marry you. You’ll ruin my buzz.”

Viktor glanced at her, a faint smirk on his lips. “That one, Maddie, has seemed…rather blatant.”

Jinx stuck her tongue out at him but didn’t reply, her grin betraying her amusement. She leaned back, one leg draped lazily over the armrest of her chair as she passed the joint back to Vi.

Vi took it, studying the glowing ember for a moment before taking another drag. “Alright, maybe I’m just annoyed that she invited her at all.”

“God, Vi, you’re such a sad drunk—high person, no fun at all,” Jinx said, though there was no real bite to her words.

Viktor didn’t say anything, but his gaze lingered on Vi for a moment longer. He understood the sentiment, there was a jealous creature that lived inside him that he had to fight down on a regular basis it seemed. He reached for the joint when she handed it over, his fingers brushing hers briefly. He inhaled deeply, letting the feeling of lightness settle over him as he watched the smoke swirl and dissipate into the night air.

The three of them sat in companionable silence, the joint burning down to its final embers. When Jinx finally flicked it into a small ashtray on the table, she sighed dramatically. “Well, that’s that. Guess it’s back to the chaos inside.”

“Guess so,” Vi agreed, pushing off the railing and stretching her arms over her head. “You two ready, or do you need a few more minutes to, you know, bond?”

Viktor chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I believe we are adequately bonded, but I may stay out here for a while longer.”

Jinx snickered, hopping to her feet. “Alright, sissy, let’s leave him to his pondering. Great minds and all that.”

Together the women slid the door open and stepped back into the glow and noise of the apartment, leaving Viktor to the quiet sanctuary of the balcony.

--------------

The night air was crisp, the skyline glowing softly in the distance as Viktor sat alone. The cool metal of the chair pressed through his clothes, grounding him even as his mind floated in a pleasant haze. The faint buzz from the wine lingered, mixing with the aftereffects of the joint. He tilted his head back, watching the faint twinkle of stars barely visible against the city's light pollution.

The faint slip of the sliding door broke the silence only a few minutes later. Viktor didn’t turn immediately but caught the sound of the quiet steps. Caitlyn emerged, a small cup in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

“Can you take these after smoking weed?” she asked, her voice lightly teasing but tinged with genuine curiosity.

Viktor turned his head slowly, his half-lidded eyes glinting with dry humor. “Hopefully,” he said with a faint smirk. “I suppose we’ll see.”

Caitlyn snorted softly as she approached, setting the cup and glass on the small table beside him. “God, Viktor,” she said with a grin, settling into the chair next to his. “You’re in your 30s.”

Viktor arched an eyebrow at her. “What does that have to do with anything?”

She glanced at him sideways, her grin softening. “I’m glad you guys seem better.”

He tilted his head, confusion flickering across his face. He wasn’t following the conversation well, and he wasn’t sure if it was the wine, the weed, or just that Caitlyn seemed to jump ahead three strides, “Hmm?”

Caitlyn shook her head, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t try to deny it. I’m not blind. Last time I stopped by for a surprise visit, Jayce was sleeping in the guest suite. For at least a couple of days, I’d guess. Then, on Tuesday, I came to check on Jayce, thinking he was sick, and found the two of you playing hooky to… have sex.” She said that last part like a whisper, then paused, her voice shifting to something more sentimental. “It’s just nice to see you two happy with each other again.”

Viktor let out a soft hum, it made him sad to know the state of their alternate’s relationship. How it seemed so close to falling apart. “If I tell you it’s because Jayce realized he’s insatiable and I am simply accommodating him, will you leave it at that?”

Caitlyn raised her eyebrows, shaking her head, “Don’t do that. I’m serious.”

Viktor sighed through his nose. Shifting in his seat, and for once, his joints weren’t stiff. The simple ease of movement felt like a luxury. “Oh, Cait, it is not your place to worry about us.” He paused, his expression turning thoughtful as he glanced at her with quiet seriousness. “Sometimes... we lose ourselves. Lose our way. But Jayce and I... we will always come back to each other.”

The silence that followed was heavy but not uncomfortable. Caitlyn’s brows furrowed as she stared out over the skyline. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet, almost a whisper. “I don’t know what I’d do if you both... if you weren’t together.”

Viktor glanced at her from the side. He couldn’t remember ever talking to Caitlyn on his own without Jayce being present. Their interactions in his past life were few and far between, but here it seemed they had a closer bond. Though his mind was hazy from the various substances he had indulged in tonight, he formulated a response that made sense to him, “I don’t think there is a universe where Jayce and I are separate for any length of time, Cait. I don’t think either of us could bear it. Not for long.”

Caitlyn took a slow breath, her shoulders rising and falling as she nodded. “It’s just that... growing up, you two always seemed so in love. From the moment Jayce introduced me to you, he was head over heels.” She smiled faintly, her eyes distant. “It stayed that way for so long. And then it was like everything started falling apart. You left the company, and it felt like you two forgot how to speak each other’s language. But you were still... you were still in love, you know?”

Viktor’s lashes lowered as he regarded her. After a beat, he asked softly, “You think we are not in love with each other now?”

Caitlyn blinked, startled. “No, I—”

“Even if we were not married, dear Cait,” Viktor interrupted gently, “we would be in love. I will love him for the rest of my life.”

Caitlyn swallowed hard, glancing at him with something close to reverence. “So... you’re working on it. On staying together.”

Viktor huffed a quiet laugh, leaning his head back again. “I have no plans to be anything else.”

She sat in silence for a moment, resting her chin on her hands. When she spoke again, her voice was quieter and more introspective. “You gave me hope, you know. You and Jayce. Back when Vi and I were figuring ourselves out. Sometimes I’d think we were too different to make it work, but then I’d think of you two.” She shook her head, smiling faintly. “You two are so different, but you make it work. At least... I thought.”

Viktor chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Different, hmm? I do not know if Jayce and I are so different. In stature, yes. On paper? Eh.” He tilted his hand in a so-so gesture. “It is the similarities you have to watch out for, I think. And how they manifest. Jayce is ambitious... and so am I. He is idealistic... and so am I. Stubborn? Hah. Jayce is stubborn like a mule, but so am I.” His brow furrowed as he chose his next words carefully. “It is hard for me to let him take care of me the way I know he desires to, hmm? He would carry me in his arms everywhere if I let him.”

Caitlyn laughed, her voice warm. “Your feet would never touch the ground.”

“Exactly,” Viktor said with a faint smirk; he tried to dig into his counterpart's motivations. “And our ambitions diverged long ago. I chose to help people actively, right now in the classroom, and he...”

Caitlyn interrupted, her eyes glinting knowingly. “...Started building weapons.”

Viktor blinked at her, startled by her candor, then nodded slowly. “It is a difficult thing to reconcile.”

“How do you?” she asked, turning rather serious now.

“By not hiding from it,” Viktor said simply, he had to pull from his own life to fill in the blanks of what he wished to convey. “We stopped talking, Cait. We started living separate lives, and anger and resentment took root. Jayce did not forgive me for leaving his side, and I...” He looked away, his jaw tightening. “I did not forgive him for putting funding above our moral obligations.”

Caitlyn nodded, letting the weight of his words sink in. “But something’s changed,” she said softly. “You both seem so much more in love again. He’s all over you like he used to be.”

Viktor’s gaze turned far away. “Would you believe me if I said... I had a dream of a perfect world. No war, no suffering, no pain. A world where every person was connected. Where every equation had an answer. Where sickness was a distant memory.”

Caitlyn watched him closely, brows furrowed as she waited for him to continue.

Viktor’s voice grew quieter. “But it was empty of life. And I was alone.”

She leaned toward him, her expression softened with understanding.

“When I woke,” Viktor continued his voice almost a whisper, “Jayce told me that it is my imperfections that make me who I am. That they are what he loves about me.” He huffed a small, amused breath. “His too, are what I love about him. His contradictions.”

Caitlyn leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder. Viktor hesitated for a moment before leaning into the touch, allowing himself to accept the comfort.

“I hope you’re right,” Caitlyn murmured.

“Hope is stubborn too, Cait,” Viktor said with a faint smile. “It’s a good trait to have.”

--------------

The apartment had fallen into a calm, late-night quiet. Most of the guests had already left, first to go was Steb and Maddie, followed by Mylo and Claggor. Jayce and Vi had helped Louris break down the tables and chairs and bring them down to his truck, piling all the dishes on the kitchen island in a daunting pile. Jayce had sent Caitlyn out to Viktor with only the two IPF pills in a little cup, he thought it might be better coming from someone not himself. He didn’t want to feel like he was hovering or a nag. Now it was just Jinx saying her goodbyes to Ekko at the door.

Jayce and Vi lounged on the couch, and both sunk into that heavy, slow-moving state of post-social exhaustion after coming back up from the garage. Vi sprawled with one arm slung over the back of the couch, her legs spread wide. Jayce sat next to her, slack as if melting into the couch, eyes half-lidded. His fingers tapped an idle rhythm on his knee, the movement more habitual than intentional.

Jinx zipped up her hoodie, her grin lazy as she glanced down at Isha, who was swaying slightly on her feet, her eyes heavy with sleep.

She nudged Isha gently with her elbow. “Come on, kiddo, let’s get you to bed before you faceplant on the table.”

Isha squinted up at her, rubbing her eyes with small fists. Though she didn’t speak, her tired glare spoke volumes.

“Guest room’s all yours,” Jayce said from the couch, gesturing with a nod.

Jinx gave him a mock salute, looping an arm around Isha’s small shoulders and guiding her toward the hallway. “Come on, sleepyhead.”

The door to the guest room clicked shut, and the remaining three in the living area turned their attention to the aftermath of the night.

Vi grinned, leaning forward. “Sucks you guys don’t have more than one guest room. Cait and I could’ve just stayed too.”

Jayce gestured to the couch with both hands, his voice light. “The couch is right here.”

Vi eyed the couch like it had personally offended her. “Nah. Cait didn’t drink much of that fancy wine she brought. No way she’s letting me crash here when we could be back home in twenty.”

Jayce chuckled, leaning his head back. “Should’ve drunk more. Rookie mistake.”

Vi snorted, narrowing her eyes at him. A pause stretched between them, the kind of silence where something unsaid pressed at the edges. She tilted her head toward him, her tone quieter now.

“Hey,” she said, her voice low, direct. “You guys seem better.”

Jayce shifted, stiffening slightly. His eyes darted to the patio, where Viktor and Caitlyn were still talking before he pulled his gaze back to Vi. It seemed that their counterparts must have been in dire straits for this to come up every time they were alone with anyone.

“Do we?” he asked, feigning ignorance though his voice carried a note of hesitation.

Vi stared at him like he’d just said something monumentally stupid. She raised an eyebrow, tilting her head in the way she always did when she wasn’t buying what someone was selling.

“Yeah,” she said plainly. “I mean, it was looking pretty touch and go there for a while.”

Jayce frowned, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “What do you mean?”

Vi rubbed the back of her neck, looking uncomfortable like she was debating whether to say it at all. But hesitation wasn’t her style. She dropped her hand and met his eyes.

“I mean, I thought Vik was gonna divorce your ass,” she said, blunt but not unkind.

The words hit like a body blow—not sharp, but enough to knock the air out of him for a moment. Jayce blinked, his throat tightening as he processed. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he’d known. But hearing it out loud, spoken so matter-of-factly, was a different thing entirely. He could tell by every interaction that the versions of them from this life had been hanging on by a thread. He didn’t understand how they could be so far away from what he and Viktor were, but then again, there was a version of Viktor that had succeeded in his glorious evolution.

His hands curled together, fingers lacing tightly as his thumbs tapped against each other. His chest felt heavy, and the weight of that truth settled deep in his bones.

“Yeah,” he said softly, his voice rough. “Me too.”

Vi turned her head, her sharp gaze softening as she watched him. She didn’t say anything at first, just studied his face with a kind of quiet intensity. Eventually, she sighed, slouching further into the couch.

“But you’re better now, yeah?” she said, her voice gentler.

Jayce lifted his eyes from his hands, glancing toward the patio again. Through the glass, he could just make out Caitlyn leaning her head on Viktor’s shoulder. Viktor sat still, his gaze distant, his expression softened by whatever conversation they were having.

Jayce stared for a long moment, something unspoken tightening in his chest before easing. “Yeah,” he whispered, more to himself than to Vi. “We’re better now.”

Vi hummed a quiet, knowing sound. She tilted her head back, eyes half-closing as if she could doze off right there.

“Good,” she said, her grin faint but genuine. “’Cause I’m not picking sides if it comes to that. You’d both lose.”

Jayce chuckled under his breath, looking back at her. “You’d pick Viktor.”

Vi didn’t even open her eyes, her grin widening. “Damn right.”

Their laughter was low and quiet, warm in a way that filled the room with something soft and unspoken. It felt like breathing after holding it in too long.

Vi stretched, her arms wide, groaning as she stood.

“Well, guess we should tackle this mess before Cait has a meltdown about leaving your place like this,” she said, nodding toward the island.

Jayce huffed a quiet laugh, dragging himself upright.

The sliding door opened softly, and Caitlyn and Viktor stepped back inside. Cait immediately moved toward the mess without hesitation. “I’ll start rinsing these,” she said, gathering more plates and heading for the sink.

Viktor stood by the table, his head tilted slightly, watching the flurry of activity. His floaty haze from earlier hadn’t entirely faded, and now, with the quiet, it was making his limbs feel heavier. “I am done,” he announced with an air of finality, leaning toward Jayce.

Jayce turned to him with a grin, leaning down to meet Viktor halfway. Their lips brushed in a brief, soft kiss before Viktor straightened.

“Goodnight, darling,” Viktor murmured, his voice warm. He cast a glance toward the others. “Try not to let him escape before the work is finished.”

Jayce smirked as Viktor turned and made his way toward the bedroom. “Traitor,” he called after him.

The three of them continued working, Vi gathering stray glasses and napkins from around the living room while Cait tackled the plates at the sink. Jayce loaded the dishwasher, his movements slower now that the night’s adrenaline had worn off.

After a few minutes, Jayce leaned against the counter, wiping his hands on a towel. “You know,” he said, his voice light, “since I did all the cooking and let you take the credit for it, Cait, I feel like the cleanup should be left to you two.”

Caitlyn turned from the sink, narrowing her eyes at him in mock offense. “Oh, of course, your highness. How kind of you to delegate.”

Vi snorted, stacking glasses by the sink. “Not very gentlemanly of you, Pretty Boy.”

Jayce shrugged, already backing toward the bedroom. “Lock the door on your way out,” he said with a grin.

Vi gave him a pointed look, her hands on her hips. “We better not hear anything while we’re still here.”

 “Then you better hurry up,” he said, disappearing behind the door with a casual wave.

--------------

When he opened the door, his breath hitched. Viktor was already in bed, the blankets loosely draped over his hips, his bare chest catching the faint glow of the bedside lamp. His hair fell over his shoulder in soft waves. He looked relaxed, utterly at ease, and completely indecent.

“Viktor?” Jayce’s voice came out quieter than he intended.

Viktor’s lips quirked. “I was beginning to wonder if you weren’t going to come to bed,” he said, his voice low and inviting.

Jayce didn’t hesitate before crawling onto the bed. His hands instinctively found Viktor’s body, his palms brushing over warm skin as he moved closer. Still fully dressed, Jayce didn’t understand why it turned him on. Pressing his clothed body against Viktor’s naked one was making him hard. Just the idea of it, the dichotomy of it.

Viktor chuckled softly, the sound rich and teasing. “Mmm, we can’t be too rambunctious, darling,” he murmured. “They may be across the apartment, but I fear we can be quite loud.”

“You can’t just be lying here like this and expect me not to do something about it,” Jayce muttered, his lips finding Viktor’s shoulder as his hands slid lower, squeezing the curve of his ass with a groan.

Jayce growled against his skin. He shifted, rolling Viktor onto his back and pinning him beneath him. Viktor’s cane had been propped against the nightstand, but now it teetered precariously before falling with a soft clatter. Jayce hardly noticed. His mouth trailed lower, laving over Viktor’s nipple as his hands roamed everything he could reach.

Viktor purred, his fingers threading into Jayce’s hair. “I was thinking of something… less intensive tonight.”

“Mmm, what’s that?” Jayce murmured against Viktor’s skin, his lips grazing the edge of Viktor’s jaw as his hands wandered, still fully dressed in his slacks and button-down. His weight pressed Viktor down into the mattress, his hips grinding.

Viktor’s fingers brushed through Jayce’s hair before tugging gently, urging him to look up. The small smile on his lips was indulgent as he tilted his head, his tongue swiping his bottom lip. “Take your clothes off, darling,” he said softly, his voice teasing but commanding.

Jayce adjusted his position so he was comfortably nestled between Viktor’s legs. He paused, his eyes roaming over Viktor’s bare form as if it were a masterpiece he couldn’t believe was real. His hand slid down Viktor’s thigh, squeezing gently as he confessed, “You know, it’s actually turning me on that you’re completely naked like this while I’m still dressed.”

Viktor chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Is this some new kink of yours? One of us wearing clothes?” he asked.

Jayce let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head slightly. “I don’t know. There’s just something about it.” His fingers traced along Viktor’s hip, his eyes drinking him in. But then Jayce leaned back, sitting on his haunches. “Alright, let’s even the playing field,” he said with a grin, unbuttoning his shirt.

Viktor’s eyes followed the movement, a lazy smile curling on his lips as Jayce shrugged out of his shirt and undershirt, revealing the broad expanse of his chest. With a quiet huff, Jayce shifted to the side to avoid putting weight on Viktor as he struggled out of his slacks, underwear, and socks, tossing them to the floor.

Viktor’s gaze remained steady, his amusement clear as he let his fingers trail over his own skin, light and languid, brushing over his chest and down his stomach. His hand lingered as he watched Jayce crawl back toward him, a faint flush creeping up Jayce’s neck as he took in the sight. Viktor’s calm confidence spurred him on.

Jayce settled between Viktor’s legs again, his hands sliding over Viktor’s thighs and up to his hips. Viktor’s legs instinctively wrapped around him, drawing him closer. Their lips met in a deep, lingering kiss, one that made the air between them feel electric. Viktor’s hand slipped between them, aligning their cocks together. The slick heat of their contact made Jayce groan into Viktor’s mouth.

“Thrust like this,” Viktor murmured, his voice thick with want as he guided Jayce’s hips forward with his heels pressing gently against Jayce’s ass.

Jayce obeyed without hesitation, a low, guttural moan escaping him as their bodies moved in sync. The friction was exquisite, each thrust drawing out gasps and groans that filled the room even as they were trying to be quiet. They stayed like that for a while, lost in the rhythm, Viktor’s hands tracing the contours of Jayce’s back as their lips sought each other between breaths.

Then Viktor shifted, rolling them effortlessly so he was straddling Jayce, his lithe body on full display. His hair tumbled forward as he leaned over Jayce, framing his face in a way that made Jayce’s chest tighten with awe. Viktor’s hand reached out, pulling open the drawer of the nightstand, and he retrieved a bottle of lube.

Jayce’s hands couldn’t stay still. He caressed Viktor’s thighs, trailing up his slim waist to his chest, then back down to his hips and legs. Every inch of Viktor’s skin seemed to call to him, his touch reverent and almost desperate. Viktor poured a generous amount of lube directly onto their cocks, the cool sensation drawing a sharp inhale from both of them.

Viktor wrapped his hand around them both, his slim fingers curling expertly as he began to stroke them together. His movements were intentional and precise, with a little twist of his wrist, and it drove Jayce wild. Viktor sat upright, his body arched in a way that was almost too beautiful to bear, the faint sheen of sweat on his skin catching the light.

Jayce reached up, his hand covering Viktor’s as he joined in, their fingers intertwining as they moved together. “You’re so perfect,” Jayce murmured, his voice low and full of admiration. He pulled Viktor down for a kiss, their mouths meeting hungrily as their movements grew more frenzied, the world narrowing to just the two of them, their breaths mingling and hearts racing in unison.

Viktor began to move his hips, a slow, measured rhythm that sent a jolt of electricity through Jayce. Leaning forward slightly, Viktor shifted his weight, his free hand rising to rest gently against Jayce’s throat. His slender fingers pressed in on the sides, not restricting Jayce’s airway but exerting enough pressure to send a rush of heat through his body. Jayce’s eyes fluttered closed, a guttural groan escaping his lips as his head tilted back against the pillows. His eyes rolled back into his skull.

“You’re mine, yes?” Viktor’s voice was low, roughened with desire, his accent curling around the words like silk.

Jayce’s mouth fell open as he gasped, “Yes, yes, yes.” The words came out like a chant, desperate and worshipful.

Viktor’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk, and he slid his hand free from beneath Jayce’s to add it to his grip on Jayce’s neck. The contrast of Viktor’s delicate hands applying such dominance over him made Jayce’s hips jerk involuntarily, bouncing Viktor slightly in his lap. He groaned, the sound guttural and raw, like a dying animal, as the intensity climbed higher.

Jayce tightened his hand around their cocks, his movements growing more urgent, matching the rhythm of Viktor’s rolling hips. Viktor let out quiet, breathy whines, barely audible but unbearably erotic, as he rocked his body in perfect time with Jayce’s thrusts. His hair fell around his face like a curtain, framing his flushed cheeks and parted lips.

Jayce forced his eyes open, wanting—needing—to watch Viktor above him. His gaze roamed over Viktor’s body, every movement, every detail burning itself into his memory. Viktor’s mouth hung open, his expression a mixture of love and raw desire, his eyes fixed on Jayce with an intensity that made his heart stutter.

Viktor’s quiet restraint only spurred Jayce on. He adjusted his grip on their cocks, his hand moving with more urgency as his hips bucked upward, creating a delicious friction that had them both teetering on the edge. Viktor’s fingers tightened just slightly around Jayce’s throat, his breaths hitching in time with the movements of their bodies.

“You’re breathtaking,” Jayce rasped, his voice rough as his free hand gripped Viktor’s hip to steady him. His world had narrowed to the man above him, every sensation heightened, every touch setting him ablaze.

Viktor’s breath hitched, letting his head hang for a moment as his movements became more erratic. He looked at Jayce again, his gaze heavy with affection and hunger, and whispered, “You… are mine.”

“I love you so much, V,” Jayce gasped, his voice hoarse.

That was all it took—Viktor’s body tensed, his head falling down as a whine escaped his lips, unrestrained and raw. His hips stuttered to a halt as he came, spilling over Jayce’s hand and cock. The intensity of his release rippled through him, leaving him trembling, his breaths coming in short, uneven gasps.

The sight, the sound, the feel of Viktor losing himself was enough to send Jayce over the edge. His grip on them tightened instinctively, his hand moving faster despite Viktor’s sensitivity causing the other man to tense all over. Jayce’s hips bucked, and with a groan, he followed, his release mixing with Viktor’s on his stomach.

Even as the aftershocks hit, Jayce’s hand slowed, unwilling to let the moment slip away too soon. Viktor let out a soft, overstimulated sound, his body jerking slightly before he reached down, gently pulling Jayce’s hand away. He collapsed onto the bed beside Jayce, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

Jayce stayed where he was for a moment, basking in the warm afterglow, his body humming with satisfaction. Then he pushed himself up and padded to the bathroom. He returned a few moments later with a warm, damp cloth.

He paused in the doorway, the sight before him stopping him in his tracks. Viktor lay sprawled atop the blankets, his hair a halo of gold and auburn around his head, his eyes closed, and his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. He looked utterly at peace, the faint sheen of sweat on his skin making him glow faintly in the soft light.

Jayce stood there for a moment, struck by the beauty of him. In his mind, he cataloged every version of Viktor he’d ever seen—each one unforgettable in its own way. The night they met, the countless late nights spent in their lab, as Viktor’s illness progressed, his cheekbones becoming more pronounced, his body seeming too delicate for the strength it carried. And then the transformation—the Viktor born anew from the Hexcore, terrifying yet still achingly beautiful.

Now, in this universe, Viktor was something else entirely. Healthier, softer in some ways, but still carrying that same unshakable strength within his slim figure. His long hair framed his face in waves, accentuating the sharp elegance of his features. Jayce’s chest tightened.

“Are you going to just stand there and stare at me all night?” Viktor’s voice, soft and teasing, broke through Jayce’s reverie.

Jayce chuckled, stepping forward to sit on the edge of the bed. “Sorry,” he said, his voice tender. “You’re just… beautiful.”

Viktor opened one eye, amusement flickering across his face as Jayce gently began cleaning him off. “What are you thinking about?” he asked. He sounded half asleep already.

Jayce’s hands moved carefully, reverently. “How I want to meet and know every version of you in the universe,” he admitted. “How, no matter what you look like or where we are, I know I’ll be in love with everything you are. Every version of you. I don’t think there’s a single one I wouldn’t love in some way.”

Viktor let out a soft laugh, his eyes drifting closed again as sleep tugged at him. “Sex makes you incredibly sentimental,” he murmured, the words laced with affection.

Jayce leaned in, his voice low and insistent. “You don’t think you feel the same?”

Viktor’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Don’t ask me questions you already know the answer to.”

Jayce grinned, but his brow furrowed slightly. “What if I don’t know the answer?”

Without opening his eyes, Viktor reached out, pulling Jayce down beside him. Jayce tossed the cloth onto the nightstand and allowed himself to be guided back into the bed.

“I am in love with you throughout the cosmos, Jayce,” Viktor said softly, his voice a whisper in the quiet room. “There is no life where I am not.”

Jayce maneuvered them under the blankets, his arms wrapping securely around Viktor’s torso, his head resting against Viktor’s chest. Viktor’s fingers combed absently through Jayce’s hair, their legs tangled together in a way that felt as natural as breathing.

“Goodnight, my darling—my love,” Viktor murmured, his voice soft with exhaustion.

Jayce smiled against Viktor’s skin. “Goodnight, baby,” he replied, his heart full and his body utterly content.

--------------

Viktor was on an iridescent bridge—a pathway that spread out into the stars, shimmering with a ghostly glow. Viktor had no choice but to follow it. His body felt weightless, like he was more thought than substance, drifting through a swirling nebula of colors and light. The vast expanse of the cosmos surrounded him, stretching infinitely in every direction.

As he walked, the endless stars pulsed faintly with every step, like a heartbeat guiding him forward. And there, upon the glowing path, sat himself. Legs dangling over the edge of the bridge, swinging idly into the void, his twin looked out at the universe with calm.

“You’re here again,” Viktor said, his voice echoing strangely in the star-filled silence.

The twin looked up, a gentle smile softening his sharp features. “So are you.”

Viktor paused, standing for a moment before moving closer. “Can you see us? Do you watch from behind my eyes?”

“They were my eyes first,” the twin said, tilting his head in a faintly amused way. “Would it not be fair?”

“Can you see?” Viktor asked again.

The twin shook his head slowly. “No… not really. I can only know—in a way. I feel, I smell, I taste… I see, but I don't try until it’s past. Until it is a memory in our shared mind. I have no wish to interfere in what you do with my body.”

Viktor lowered himself beside him, sitting on the edge of the bridge. He looked out at the sprawling dreamscape, a kaleidoscope of shifting stars and galaxies that seemed impossibly distant yet close enough to touch.

“Do you look through my memories?” Viktor asked after a moment.

“What else is there to do?” the twin replied, his voice steady but tinged with something—resignation, perhaps, or sadness.

“You asked for this?” Viktor pressed.

“I suppose,” the twin said, his gaze still fixed on the vastness before them.

“Why? Why would you choose this?”

The twin was silent for a long moment before answering. “Because it was all too much. It’s not like your world, I think… In your world, there were options. There is magic. There isn’t any magic here. There isn’t any hope—not really, no matter how much he tries.”

“Jayce,” Viktor said softly, the name lingering between them.

“Hm,” the twin replied in acknowledgment.

“What happened to you?” Viktor asked, turning to look at his twin fully. “Why were you like this?”

The twin’s smile turned wistful. “You became something I could never dream of. You evolved us—yourself—in a way that removed all of our flaws. Made us perfect.”

“No,” Viktor said firmly, shaking his head. “That was not perfection.”

“Maybe,” the twin murmured, his voice faint and faraway, as if the answer didn’t really matter.

The twin extended a hand, his palm open and waiting. Though Viktor longed to continue the conversation, to probe further into the truths hidden in his twin’s words, he knew their time was ending. Without hesitation, he reached out, their fingers brushing before he clasped the offered hand.

And then they fell—together—into the infinite.

The swirling void around them began to shift, reshaping itself, and he found himself in the center of a warmly lit room. The air was alive with the soft glow of string lights draped from the ceiling, their twinkling light reflecting off polished wood floors. There was music that filled the space like a heartbeat.

Viktor was being twirled, his feet barely skimming the ground. Jayce’s grin was infectious, stretching from ear to ear, his joy radiating like the sun. They were alone in the center of the room, the world fading at the edges as the music pulsed around them.

“Hey! Been trying to meet you… mmmmmm…” The familiar sound of the Hey by The Pixies, Jayce’s voice harmonizing off-key as he belted out the lyrics.

“Hey! Must be a devil between us or whores in my head…”

Jayce was singing directly to him now, their foreheads pressed together as they moved, swaying and stumbling along with the song. Viktor couldn’t stop laughing. The sheer absurdity and beauty of the moment filled his chest until he thought it might burst. Jayce held him steady, his arm banded securely around Viktor’s lower back, taking all of his weight as if it were nothing.

“We’re chained! We’re chai-ai-ai-ained! We’re chained!”

The two of them threw their heads back, the choreography of their "first dance" long forgotten. Jayce twirled him again, pulling him in close as their bodies moved together, their voices tangling with the music. Viktor caught the reflection of themselves in the floor-to-ceiling windows—Jayce’s suit jacket discarded, and his shirt sleeves rolled up. They were a mess of grins and flushed cheeks, but nothing had ever felt so perfect.

Viktor was so in love with this man he didn’t know what to do with himself. Every laugh, every glance, every step they took together in that moment burned itself into his memory. Jayce tilted him back slightly, exaggerating the movement as they rocked together, and Viktor clutched at his shoulder to steady himself, laughing uncontrollably.

The song crescendoed, their movements becoming even less coordinated and more uninhibited, but neither of them cared. They weren’t performing for anyone—this wasn’t a display. This was theirs. Just theirs.

The memory blurred, the edges fraying like a well-loved photograph. The music became a distant echo, their laughter fading into the swirling void as Viktor was pulled back, and the memory drifted in like smoke, curling at the edges until it solidified into their apartment.

Viktor stood near the door, a bag in his hand. Jayce was on his knees before him, arms wrapped tightly around Viktor’s waist, his face buried against his stomach. His muffled voice cracked as he spoke, raw with desperation.

“Please, baby, please. I am so sorry. I am so sorry for lying to you. I just… I wanted us to get our dream, and there was no other way.”

The bag slipped from Viktor’s hand, landing on the floor with a dull thud. He reached down, running his fingers through Jayce’s wild hair—the evidence of Jayce’s earlier frustration clear in the way it stuck out in every direction. Viktor’s touch was gentle, though his voice was unyielding.

“Jayce,” he said, “there were other ways. There was also the option of not lying to me.”

Jayce’s arms tightened around him, his grip almost frantic. “I know, I know I fucked up,” he choked out. “I just didn’t know what to do, and I have a million people in my ear telling me how to do things and…”

“And you chose to listen to them instead of me?” Viktor’s voice was quiet, cutting through Jayce’s excuses like a blade.

Jayce lifted his head then, his eyes red and swollen, his face streaked with tears. “I always listen to you, baby. Yours is the only opinion that actually matters… It’s why I couldn’t fucking tell you, Vik. I couldn’t tell you how the money was coming in because you would… you’re doing it. You’re leaving me.”

Viktor sighed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of everything they had already said. They had been yelling all night, their voices rising and falling like waves, but now he was just… tired.

“I cannot forgive this, Jayce,” Viktor said, his voice softer but no less firm. “It is so big. I… do not know how we move from this.”

Jayce clung to him, his gaze pleading. “I’ll do anything, baby,” he said, “Anything you ask, I’ll do it. I’ll shut down the whole thing. I’ll walk away from it all if you asked me to.”

Viktor stared down at him, his eyes searching Jayce’s face for something he wasn’t sure he would find. When he spoke, his words were so low they were almost lost.

“Walk away from it.”

Jayce froze, his breath hitching. The hesitation was brief, barely a flicker, but it was enough. Viktor tilted his head, his expression unreadable as he studied him.

“Hmm. Anything?”

The question hung in the air. The silence stretched, growing unbearable, until the memory was consumed by a blinding flash of light, scattering the scene into the swirling void once more.

Then they were in bed. Jayce hovered over Viktor, his lips trailing reverent kisses across his chest, lingering over his heartbeat as if committing it to memory. Their bodies moved together, rolling like the tides of the ocean.

Each movement built upon the last, pleasure mounting, cresting, breaking over them in waves. Viktor’s hands gripped Jayce’s shoulders, his breaths coming in shallow gasps as he held onto him like a lifeline. The world shattered, pleasure peaking into a blinding crescendo of light and sensation.

And just as they fell together into the afterglow, the memory fractured, ripped away like a page torn from a book, dissolving into darkness.

The scene reformed into the bright light of a new day. They were standing in Prague. The faint chime of bells echoed around the city as Jayce tilted his head back, staring up in awe at the intricate beauty of the astronomical clock.

“I can’t believe you grew up here and decided to move to the United States,” Jayce said, his words disbelieving.

Viktor followed his gaze, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and detachment. “It is beautiful, yes,” he agreed.

Jayce turned to him, his grin soft. “Maybe one day we can live here, once we get enough money to retire? What do you think?”

The suggestion caught Viktor off guard, his heart skipping a beat. That Jayce would want to live here, in this city Viktor loved and yet had grown so distant from—it was unexpected, and it warmed him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

“You would have to learn Czech,” Viktor replied, trying to hide how much that meant to him.

Jayce leaned in, his nose brushing against Viktor’s cheek as he nuzzled him affectionately. “Good thing I have a brilliant professor to teach me.”

“High school teacher,” Viktor corrected, his lips quirking in a small smile.

“Don’t downplay it,” Jayce said, his voice teasing but fond. “It’s nice that you have these big, long summers off.”

“Mmm,” Viktor hummed noncommittally, his eyes scanning the square as memories of his childhood tugged at him.

Jayce’s grin grew wider, more earnest. “So what do you say? Retire to Prague? Maybe we should start looking at property and get ahead of it. Shit, we should probably go to the consulate and get me citizenship, huh?”

The sheer enthusiasm in Jayce’s voice made Viktor chuckle. For a brief moment, the weight of the world felt distant. But before Viktor could respond, the memory melted away, leaving behind only the echo of bells and the distant murmur of the square.

The cold tiles pressed against Viktor’s back as he leaned against the toilet bowl, his body spent. His head lolled slightly as he watched Jayce pace the bathroom, his body a stiff line. He was only wearing sweat pants, and his muscles looked like they might burst from how hard Jayce was tensing.

“I don’t like how sick these meds are making you, Vik.” Jayce’s voice was taut with worry, his hands gesturing wildly as he spoke. “It’s worse than when they put you on oxy for your back. This is ridiculous.”

“It is a known side effect,” Viktor replied, his voice weak but steady, each word carefully measured.

Jayce stopped pacing, turning to him with a mixture of anger and desperation, “I don’t care what that quack says about what’s ‘known.’ You’re on a trial! It’s not FDA-approved, and there are only TWO other people taking this shit with you. That’s not enough people for this to be above board.” He raked a hand through his hair, his voice softening slightly. “I talked to Cassandra. She said it’s possible this isn’t even legal, baby. You have no idea what he’s giving you.”

Viktor’s brows knitted together, his voice sharpening despite his exhaustion. “You cannot speak about my medical information with others without asking me first, Jayce. How many times do I have to say that?”

Jayce’s shoulders tensed, bunching up and swallowing his neck, his face crumpling into guilt and defiance. “If I didn’t talk to people, you wouldn’t!” he shot back, his voice louder now, more urgent. “You’d just suffer like this and grit your teeth! I can’t stand here and watch!”

“Then get out,” Viktor said simply, his voice carrying an edge that cut through the air between them.

“No!” Jayce’s yell echoed off the tiled walls, the sound reverberating around the room. It shocked them both into silence.

For a moment, the only sound was Viktor’s labored breathing. Then, slowly, Jayce crossed the room and sank to the floor beside him, resting his head against Viktor’s thin shoulder. The warmth of his touch was almost shocking.

“I’m not going to leave you alone, Vik,” Jayce murmured, his voice cracking with emotion. “I’m here to bear this with you. You have no idea what this is doing to me. I don’t know what to do, baby.”

Viktor closed his eyes, exhaustion pooling in every fiber of his being. He didn’t have the strength to comfort Jayce, not when his own body felt like it was betraying him so completely.

“Why don’t you go out for a little while, Jayce?” Viktor said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Go see Caitlyn.”

Jayce turned to him sharply. “Why do you always want me to leave?”

“I don’t,” Viktor replied, the words heavier than he intended.

Jayce’s eyes searched his face. “You push me away. You won’t let me help you.”

Viktor swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the floor. “You think I want you to see me like this, Jayce? You think I enjoy watching you suffer while I am sick and unable to care for you?”

Jayce shifted, his hand reaching out to gently cup Viktor’s cheek, forcing their eyes to meet. “I don’t need you to care for me. I need you to let me care for you.”

For a moment, Viktor’s walls wavered, his guard slipping. Then, suddenly, the air in the room shifted. The warmth of the moment was replaced by an icy stillness, and Viktor’s breath hitched.

A hooded figure stood in the center of the bathroom. They didn’t belong here, an interloper. Jayce kept speaking, his voice fading into background noise as Viktor’s focus locked onto the figure.

The world around him began to fragment. The memory splintered, each shard dissolving into dust. The figure loomed closer, and Viktor blinked, finding himself back on the iridescent pathway.

He stood face to face with the hooded man, his heart pounding in his chest.

And then, just as suddenly, it all faded to black.

The void swallowed him whole, dragging him into the depths of a dream.

Chapter Text

"There is no remedy for love but to love more."

— Henry David Thoreau

--------------

Jayce woke slowly, his head pulsing in a steady throb that made him wince before he even opened his eyes. That’s what he got for drinking two nights in a row. He let out a soft groan, ran a hand over his face, and wiped away the tacky line of drool on his cheek. His mouth tasted dry, and the back of his throat was sore like he’d been talking too much—or maybe shouting. He had gotten really into that game last night.

Turning his head to the side, he blinked a few times to focus. Viktor lay next to him, his face soft and serene, his breaths slow and even. His hair was an untamed mess, strands splayed haphazardly across his forehead and spread over the pillow. Jayce thought Viktor had never looked more peaceful. He looked younger like this. He looked younger in this life in general, though he supposed it wasn’t that he looked younger, more that he looked his age. Jayce didn’t realize how much the weight affected Viktor’s looks in that way. He spent so much of his time with Viktor that those little details somehow got overlooked, so used to watching that face morph slowly over time. Here Viktor’s cheeks were fuller, his face rounder in ways that softened his sharper edges. But asleep? Asleep, he looked weightless. No furrow in his brow, no tired strain in his eyes. Just peace.

Jayce’s gaze lingered on the small mole on Viktor’s cheekbone. It drew him in like a magnet. He felt the tug to lean forward and press a kiss to it. Just one. There were so many spots like that, there were two on Viktor’s neck that he found himself kissing as often as possible, then there were the ones that Jayce was getting acquainted to with all over his body. Jayce’s lips twitched in a small smile, and he sank back into his pillow, arms folded under his head, and just looked at his partner.

Husband.

Jayce wanted to take care of him, but the realization hit him harder than he expected. Not the way he’d taken care of Viktor back in Piltover. When his mind was only focused on the prevention of his death. When everything was going so wrong all the time. He thought about it a lot yesterday morning as he went through all the medical files. Acceptance. It didn’t mean giving up, and it didn’t mean letting Viktor die without a fight. It was being prepared for something that he might not be able to prevent. To not spend his time so consumed with grief over a man who was still here. A man who would be here as long as he possibly could be.

Jayce saw what that desperation drove him to. How he couldn’t let Viktor go, no matter what. It made him turn to the Hexcore. It made him resurrect Viktor and turn him into…well, a monster. That had been Jayce’s desperation, not Viktor's. Seeing Viktor there, lying broken in the rubble, had been a pain so massive Jayce could barely think of it, and he never wanted to feel it again…yet, he would have to. Perhaps they discover a misdiagnosis, and Viktor could be cured and live a full life…but Jayce had to be prepared for the worst, and he had to accept it when it came. If they got to keep these lives. Stay in these bodies and this world. That was the lesson Jayce had to learn. To accept the inevitable and to not waste time fretting and grieving before he needed to. He would join Viktor in the great nothing when the time came and there was relief in that, there was hope. As long as that was the destined outcome, Jayce could look both of their deaths in the eye again. He had done it once before.

So, while they were here, he wanted to take care of Viktor. He wanted to do something as simple as make him breakfast in bed because Viktor deserved it. Because it felt right. He wanted to run him baths and dance in their ridiculous apartment. He wanted to sit on couches with Viktor’s legs draped over his lap reading books. Jayce thought that would be a perfect life.

Jayce let out a slow breath, eyes fixed on Viktor's sleeping face. His mind drifted to Mel. Mel had been his first real adult relationship. There had been flings before, sure. A few liaisons. In those early years, he’d played at being the flirt, a Casanova, just to prove he could. But it hadn’t suited him. It never had. He didn’t enjoy physical relationships without some form of emotional connection.

Then he’d thrown himself into Hextech, and after that, work became his only love. Somehow, somewhere in the mix of ambition and obsession, he'd fallen in love with Viktor. He just hadn’t known it. It was all so wrapped up in his gratitude, respect, and admiration. Was Viktor beautiful because he represented all his dreams coming to fruition or because he just was? Did he want to hold him, touch him, care for him because his mind was the perfect balance for Jayce’s—that he saw things Jayce couldn’t, and that Jayce saw things Viktor missed—or because he wanted to kiss him? Did he want to spend all his time with him because they were changing the world…or was it all because he loved him? He had loved him all along. From the night they met, and that was where the disconnect had been. To be saved by a man that you found so beautiful…it had confused his attraction with gratitude. They had become so enmeshed that Jayce couldn’t differentiate any of his feelings they had just been.

They just were and would be, and he never questioned any of it.

Now he knew that when Jayce looked at Viktor, it was like looking at the moon. Viktor was awe-inspiring and sublime. His beauty was transcendent.

Mel had been... different. One night together and he’d thought, ‘This is it, this is what love is supposed to be’. The logic had been as simple as a kid holding hands with someone on the playground and deciding, ‘We’re dating now’. Childish. Stupid, even. But he'd been desperate for a connection. Desperate for something that wasn’t Viktor or himself. Someone he could find comfort in that wasn’t the man he was grieving. Even in this world, it was hard. How could he ask for comfort from the one suffering? In that way, he could understand the disconnect between their counterparts. How could he go to any of these people so close to the two of them and open up about the fear and resentment of watching a loved one die in front of you? What advice could they give? Jayce didn’t think he wanted or needed advice. More that he needed to be held. He had always needed to be held or to hold. Someone to hold, someone to—

A sudden flash of heat surged through his skull, and pain exploded behind his eyes.

Jayce gasped, clutching his head as he sat upright, heart racing as the world spun. Hot. Blistering. He couldn’t breathe, and for one horrifying moment, it felt like his mind was being pried open with a crowbar. No, no, no— The memories poured in. They hit him like a wrecking ball, one vivid scene after another. Warm skin. Sweaty limbs tangled in sheets. Low, breathy sighs. Moans of pleasure. Hands gripping his back. The scent of—

Jayce’s eyes flew open wide, breath coming fast and sharp as if he'd just surfaced from underwater. Stop. Stop. STOP. His nails dug into his scalp, and he pressed his palms hard against his temples, forcing the images away. Not mine. Not mine. Not mine. He clenched his teeth so hard they ached. His heart was hammering in his chest. It took everything he had to choke the memories down, to shove them deep, far enough that he could breathe again. Slowly, his grip loosened, his arms trembling as he lowered them.

He blinked a few times, eyes focusing on Viktor’s face. Still sleeping. Dead to the world. His chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm. Viktor had always been a fairly light sleeper in their world, but here, it seemed he slept just as hard as Jayce tended to.

He sat there a moment longer, just breathing. Viktor didn’t seem to be having the same reaction to this world. He had said that he wasn’t getting memories with the same frequency as Jayce, that his were coming mostly from dreams…that his mind was being flooded with knowledge of the world but Jayce…Jayce was getting memories he didn’t need or want hammered into his skull. He had had a dream, too, that he could barely remember. All he knew was when he woke up, he knew things. He was able to pull information if he concentrated hard enough, but these raw ones that seemed to come at him like a battering ram were unpleasant, to say the least.

Perhaps it was because Viktor had more of a connection with the Arcane because it was most likely that mage version of him that sent them to this world. Or the startling thought, Viktor was so used to pain that it didn’t bother him the way it did Jayce. That thought left Jayce feeling hollowed out. He relaxed back into the pillows just to watch the other man sleeping for a while longer before he started hearing movement in the apartment and remembered that they weren’t alone. In fact, Jinx and her little adopted daughter were here.

Carefully, Jayce swung his legs over the side of the bed, mindful not to jostle Viktor. He glanced down at himself, realizing he was completely nude. This was starting to be the norm. He had a whole drawer in that closet full of matching pajama sets, and they had remained untouched the few days they’d been here. He just couldn’t keep his hands off his husband. Jayce looked back at the sleeping man again, but his husband couldn’t keep his hands off Jayce. It was a good problem to have. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, and padded over to the closet. He grabbed a loose t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, tugging them on with a tired grunt before heading for the door.

He cracked it open just enough to peek out.

Jinx and Isha were already there, perched on the barstools like cats. Jinx spotted him first.

“Finally!” she whisper-yelled, “We want pancakes.”

Jayce blinked, still half-asleep, and he quickly shushed her, “Viktor’s still sleeping,” he muttered, rubbing at his temple. He opened the door fully and stepped out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him. “If you want pancakes, you could make them yourself.”

Jinx leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm with an exaggerated sigh. “It’s your house, dude,” she said, “Also, Ekko makes them at home, and I’m banned from cooking since The Incident.” She grinned, “But I can give it a whirl if you—”

“Nope,” Jayce cut in quickly, his hands raised in surrender. “No. I’ll make the pancakes. Just—” He glanced at the clock. 8:42 a.m., “How long have you two been up waiting?” He turned to Isha, her little feet swinging as she sat on the stool. She saw him looking and immediately grinned, holding up her fingers to count. She got to ten, paused, then did it again.

“Twenty minutes?” Jayce guessed, half-smiling.

Isha nodded, beaming like he’d just given her a prize.

“Well, I better get on it then,” he said, stepping into the kitchen. He opened the cabinets with confidence. He had really familiarized himself with this kitchen yesterday. He pulled out flour, sugar, and eggs, letting himself fall into the routine of it. Jinx grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl on the island and leaned against it, watching him.

Jayce cracked an egg against the rim of the bowl with a satisfying thunk, splitting it cleanly into two halves. The yolk plopped into the batter mixture below, and he tossed the shells into the trash can under the sink with the effortlessness of someone who’d done it a hundred times before. Cooking in this new world was one of the few things that made him feel like he had control over something—even if it was just pancakes.

He glanced up and smiled. Isha had climbed up onto the countertop and was crawling across the island at him in her little pink pajamas covered in unicorns and socks. She’d done it so casually like she’d been there a hundred times, and Jayce figured Jinx probably let her do it at home. He didn’t stop her.

“You want to help, huh?” he asked, voice light as he tilted the bowl toward her. He placed a wooden spoon in her tiny hands. “Alright, you’re on stirring duty, Chef Isha. Big responsibility.”

Isha’s eyes lit up in excitement. Her small hands gripped the spoon with the kind of overzealous determination only a child could muster. She dug it into the batter, her brows scrunching with focus as she turned it slowly, her little arms working harder than necessary. Jayce fought back a grin, his heart doing that little tug-tug thing it always did when kids got serious about something small.

“Gotta be gentle,” he said, reaching around her to steady the bowl. “Like this, see?” He guided her hands, letting her feel the way the batter moved with the right kind of pressure. Her eyes stayed locked on the task, her mouth a tight, focused line.

“Not bad, huh?” Jayce murmured, watching her face light up with pride. She gave a quick, sharp nod. Her grin was all teeth.

“Do you and Viktor want kids?” Jinx asked, taking a bite of the banana.

Jayce stopped mid-crack, “What?”

“You heard me, big guy.” She raised a brow, taking a bite of her banana. “Y’all have been together for, like, over fourteen years, right? You’ve never thought about having kids together?”

“Honestly…” Jayce trailed off, turning his back to her and going to set up the stove area, “I haven’t put much thought into it.” He glanced at Jinx. “It’s never been a priority, you know? I figured if it happened, it happened. But right now? Not on the radar.” He picked Isha and the bowl up together to transfer them to the other counter, the little girl giggling all the way. “Why do you ask?”

Jinx shrugged. “Dunno. Just been thinking about it lately, I guess.” She glanced at Isha, who was watching Jayce fill a ladle with batter and pour it into the pan like he was doing some kind of magic trick. Jinx smiled at her, eyes going soft. “Isha was always meant to be mine,” she said, her voice quieter and more honest than Jayce expected. “Right, kid?”

Isha grinned wide and nodded.

“The social worker dropped her off,” Jinx continued, “and I took one look at her, and it was like I knew. That’s my fucking kid, you know?”

 “Yeah?” Jayce turned to look at her, “Adopting, huh?”

“Dunno if it’s 'adopting,'” Jinx muttered, finishing her banana and leaving the peel on the counter, “Just... she’s mine.”

Jayce turned back to the stove, flipping another pancake. “Yeah,” he said softly, voice thoughtful. “I think that makes sense.”

Jinx tilted her head toward him, “So, again, you and Viktor have never thought about kids?”

Jayce rubbed the back of his neck, “I mean… no, not really,” he admitted, sounding more unsure than he wanted to. “It’s not like it’s been a priority or anything.”

Jayce had no idea if their counterparts had thought about kids, but with the way things seemed to be, children were probably not a priority at all. He couldn’t imagine thinking about having future children while his husband was dying. The thought of children had not once crossed his mind the entire time they had been here, and it had never really crossed his mind in his past life. There was always too much going on to even think about it. There was creating Hextech, then building the Hex-gates, and then there was the council and the war with Zaun and Viktor dying, and everything was happening so fast, and then he was dying with Viktor in his arms, content with never breathing again.

Children were so far off the spectrum of things he thought about it was almost hilarious that it was coming up at all.

Jinx raised a brow, unimpressed. “Bro, you’ve been with the same guy for fourteen years, and you never thought about having kids together?” She leaned forward, bracing her arms on the counter. “You never sat there and went, ‘Huh, maybe one day we should get a mini-me running around’?”

He didn’t know what it was about him that made her think he thought about having children…did he look like the type of guy who wanted kids? He supposed he did, in some vague faraway place in his mind he did. He liked kids, always had. He enjoyed playing with babies and got along with children of all ages, which is how his friendship with Caitlyn bloomed. He just…thought having children was kind of a given, that it just would happen when it was supposed to. When he had achieved enough, maybe. He actually couldn’t conceptualize it. When he thought of the perfect life now that he was really trying to see his future, all he saw was Viktor. In this new world, he was just seeing Viktor on couches reading books with his legs draped over Jayce’s lap, or Viktor in the bath waiting for him, Viktor in a lab tinkering away, and that didn’t really mesh well with the idea of children.

Jayce grimaced. “It’s not like that, Jinx. It’s not—” He sighed, trying to organize his thoughts as he ladled out another pancake. “I guess I figured it’d just… happen at some point, you know? Like, eventually. But right now?” He shook his head. “Definitely not a priority.”

“Mm-hm,” Jinx hummed, watching him. Her gaze was rather piercing. Jayce wondered if that was a byproduct of a certain type of analytical mind. Sometimes, when Viktor looked at him, it was as if the man was examining his soul.

He squinted at her. “Why are you asking?”

“I don’t think I’m gonna do it,” Jinx said, tapping her fingers on the countertop. Her smile was crooked and loose. “Have my own biological ones, I mean. I think Isha’s it for me.”

His voice softened. “Yeah. I guess if Viktor and I ever wanted kids, that’s the route we’d go too. Adoption.”

“Yeah? You’d do it that way?”

He shrugged. “How else would we do it?”

Her eyes narrowed as if assessing him, “You got the cash, Jayce. You could pay for it.” She tilted her head, “Whose DNA would you use?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Viktor’s.”

Jinx blinked, her grin freezing for just a moment. Then she laughed. Not the wild, chaotic laugh—this was quieter, almost… proud. She shook her head slowly, biting her bottom lip like she was holding something back.

“Good answer,” she said, pointing at him. “Here, I thought you’d say yours cause, y’know.” She gestured broadly at him— “All that.”

Jayce rolled his eyes but knew exactly what she meant. Jayce knew what he looked like, took pride in it even, but in his mind, thinking about it now, all he saw was a little girl with Viktor’s sharp amber eyes, his clever hands, his focused frown. She’d be brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. If they were to have a child at some distant point in the future, it would be Viktor’s.

“Viktor’s perfect how he is,” Jayce said quietly. It was an unshakeable truth. He could feel his love reflected on his face. He couldn’t help it. “Any child of his would be perfect too.”

Jinx stared at him for a second, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. Then she snorted, “You guys should foster.”

Jayce tilted his head, “Foster?”

“Yeah, why not?” She shrugged, stuffing another bite of pancake into her mouth. “You guys got the space, the cash, and you’re both saps.” She jerked her chin toward Isha, who was still watching the pan like a hawk as the pile of pancakes grew. “If you can handle her, you can handle a couple of brats.”

Jayce was quiet for a moment, flipping the two pancakes in the pan. He felt like maybe they had enough. He was getting so lost in the conversation that he hadn’t realized the mountain of hotcakes piling up.

“Maybe in the future,” he said finally, his voice distant. “When Viktor isn’t so… well, maybe in the future.”

Jinx nodded, “I think you should do it before then.” She turned to the windows and looked at him from the corners of her eyes as if she were trying to watch his reaction to what she was about to say. “I feel like you should have someone when he’s gone.”

Jayce’s chest tightened. His hand curled into a loose fist on the counter. He didn’t look at her. “He’s not going anywhere anytime soon,” he said, firm but quiet.

Jinx watched him for a second longer, then gave a slow nod. “See, I know you’re not gonna take it well.”

Jayce didn’t respond right away. He pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth. Eyes focused on Isha’s tiny hands twisting the spoon in the batter. He’s not going anywhere, he told himself again. Not anytime soon.

But his chest still hurt.

"Alright kiddo, I think we’re just about done, you wanna pour the last couple ladles?" Jayce asked, letting Isha load up the ladle and carefully pour it into the warm pan. "Textbook technique right there."

There was the sound of a creek, and Viktor appeared in the bedroom doorway, wearing a loose-fitting red robe with vertical stripes. Jayce immediately recognized it as his. It was a couple of sizes too big for Viktor, hanging off his lean frame, the sleeves falling past his hands. It had been hanging on a little hook in the bathroom next to a smaller red satin robe that Jayce knew from the size had to be Viktor's. It made his blood boil that the man chose to wear his.

“Hey, I was going to bring you breakfast in bed again,” Jayce grinned. He loved seeing Viktor in this casual sleepy state. His hair was all loose and wild around his head, his eyes half-lidded as if he could fall back asleep any minute, “You feeling ok?”

“I may have a small headache,” Viktor mumbled as he came further into the apartment.

Jayce couldn’t help but be charmed by his grumpy attitude, “Ok, come sit at the counter, and I’ll get you some water and your morning dose.

Viktor raised a brow, his voice dry. “You’re so considerate.”

Before Jayce could reply, Isha noticed Viktor, and her face lit up. She hopped down from the counter with a thud of her bare feet and raced toward him, arms wide. Viktor braced, startled but steady, as she crashed into him, hugging him tightly around the waist. She tilted her head back to grin at him. Viktor blinked down at her like a curious owl before the smallest smile graced his lips.

“Good morning, little one,” he said. His voice was rough with sleep but soft as his eyes when speaking to her.

Isha made some breathy little sounds and grabbed his hand. Viktor let her lead him over to the open barstool next to Jinx. She then returned to Jayce, pointing at him with a determined look.

“Uppies, huh?” Jayce said, already stepping over to scoop her up. He hoisted her onto his hip with ease, one arm supporting her weight as he flipped another pancake with his free hand.

“Watch this,” he said, feeling playful as he tossed the pancake into the air with a quick flick of his wrist. It flipped cleanly in a perfect arc before landing in the pan with a soft sizzle.

Isha’s eyes went wide with awe, her face lighting up in astonished delight. She patted Jayce on the chest, grinning so big that it looked like it might hurt. She gestured at him with a quick flick of her fingers, making a clear "again, again!" motion.

“Oh, you want an encore?” Jayce teased, waggling his brows. “Alright, watch closely.” He flipped the pancake again, higher this time, and Isha gasped, gripping his shoulder. It landed perfectly again. She threw her head back, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

“Hmm,” Viktor’s voice cut in from the stool, his pretty golden eyes taking in the whole scene. “Well, isn’t that a sight to see?”

Jinx leaned over to him, a big grin on her face, “She giving you baby fever, Vikky?” she asked, tilting her head at him. “I took one look at her and was like, ‘yup, not giving her back. That kid’s mine.’”

Viktor huffed softly, “Jayce looks natural holding a child, but no,” he said, shooting Jinx a look. “I don’t think I particularly want any of my own.”

“Hey,” Jayce cut in, tossing the last pancake onto the teetering tower of food. “Maybe, in the future.”

Viktor hummed, leaning forward, his cheek resting on his palm. “Hmm, that can be a real possibility for you,” he said, his voice was light with teasing, but it made Jayce’s heart stop in his chest, “You can have all the children you want, eventually.”

Jayce paused, putting Isha down, and slowly turned toward Viktor. His brows were drawn tight, mouth set in a small, stubborn frown. The idea that Jayce would have children after Viktor died was not something Jayce could even think about, let alone find humor in. No matter how much acceptance he tried to have, no matter how, he was trying to come to terms with the fact that, Vikter may very well die before him in this life.

“Not funny, V,” Jayce said firmly. “I know you meant it as a joke, but it’s not funny.”

Viktor’s eyes narrow slightly in amusement. “You won’t allow me a little gallows humor?”

“Nope,” Jayce said flatly, turning back to the stove, his back stiff, “None of that.”

“You’re probably gonna have to put up your DNA for a kid,” Jinx whispered exaggeratedly to Viktor, tilting her head toward Jayce. “This guy is going to lose it when you’re gone.”

Viktor laughed under his breath, but his face didn’t seem to connect to the humor of it, “We would not be using my essence if a child was in the cards for our future,” he said, folding his hands in front of him like it was a clear fact. “It would be Jayce’s.”

Jayce twisted around again and carried the plate of pancakes over to the breakfast table. Vi and Cait must have replaced it before they left last night. He just realized that they also must have put most of the dishes and things away after washing them. “No, I already told her we’d be using yours.”

Viktor lifted his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth quirking into something unreadable as he stared at Jayce like he’d gone mad. “Do you guys want sausage and eggs too?” Jayce asked, distracted as he dug through the fridge. He was already grabbing stuff, though, clearly taking the silence as confirmation.

Viktor folded his arms on the countertop, his gaze following Jayce around the kitchen. His voice was firmer this time, “I am not ever going to saddle a child with my illnesses, Jayce.”

Jayce froze for half a second, one hand gripping the carton of eggs. “That wouldn’t be a guarantee,” he said and kept his back to them. Jayce’s voice was soft but firm. He wanted this conversation to end.

“This is a nonsensical conversation,” Viktor muttered, his voice curt but not angry.

“Ok, enough baby talk,” Jinx said, breezily as if she hadn’t started the topic in the first place, “breakfast first, quantum teleportation after. Priorities, people.”

Jayce perked up at that, half-turning toward her. “Oh, can I be part of the quantum teleportation party?” he asked, his face lighting up with genuine curiosity. “Kinda wanna see what that’s all about.”

“Sure,” Jinx said with a dramatic wave of her hand. “Sometimes I forget you’re smart cuz you’re so dumb half the time.”

Viktor laughed, a short sharp bark of amusement, and even Jinx grinned wider at her own joke.

“Rude,” Jayce muttered, cracking an egg against the side of the bowl a little harder than necessary.

“Accurate,” Jinx replied, still grinning.

“Extremely,” Viktor added, his voice full of affection and exasperation.

“You’re all lucky I’m making you breakfast,” Jayce huffed, stirring the eggs with a little too much force. Isha giggled from her perch, her eyes darting between all of them like she was watching the world’s funniest sitcom.

“Yeah, yeah,” Jinx said, snagging a pancake off the plate with her bare hands, ignoring the heat as she took a massive bite. “We love you, big guy.”

“Mm-hm,” Viktor hummed as he moved over to the breakfast table himself and sat down, pulling one of the plates over and snagging a pancake, “More than you know.”

--------------

The lab was how they left it yesterday. It was a bit of a mess, but in the middle of the large worktable were two small arched devices that looked like crude open birdcages. The whiteboard was covered in blue and black equations from Jinx's notes and red from Viktor’s additions. Jinx went to it first.

 “So, where should we start?” She rapped her knuckles against her forehead. “Come on, brain!”

“I think you’re over-complicating the symmetry function,” Viktor’s voice came from across the room. He sat at a metal workbench, one leg crossed over the other, a notebook open on his lap. He was still wearing that too-big robe, his hair spilling over his shoulders, and Jayce had difficulty paying attention to anything else. Yes, if he had discovered his infatuation for Viktor back in their past life, they wouldn't have gotten anything done. The only thing keeping him from lifting Viktor up onto that worktable and ravaging him was Jinx and Isha's presence. Viktor's pencil moved steadily over the page, “Look here,” he pointed his pencil at the board. “The phase variance shouldn’t be calculated independently for both units. We need to treat them as one system. Think of it like a synchronized clock. You adjust the clock, not each individual hand.”

Jayce enjoyed listening to Viktor lay things out. He had a way of explaining things that made it sound so simple. Teaching came naturally to him. Jayce would love to sit in on one of his classes—just to see.

Jinx squinted at him, then back at her equations. She sucked her teeth. “But each system does a different function. One to shoot, the other to receive; they can't work on the same equations, can they? The fucker can’t get fucked at the same time!”

“Why not?” Viktor asked his tone light but leading.

Jinx blinked at him, glancing back at the board. Her gaze sharpened. “Wait—wait, wait, wait—” She pointed at her own equations. “You’re saying… they don’t need separate functions if we treat the output as part of the input's system. Oh, come on, that’s—” She let out an exasperated groan. “That’s so obvious it’s stupid.”

Viktor tilted his head, smirking. “I wanted to see how long it would take for you to figure it out yourself.”

“Yeah, well, congrats, Ebenezer, you win,” she muttered, erasing half the board with her sleeve and starting over with a renewed sense of purpose.

"Ebenezer?" Viktor asked, perplexed, looking at Jayce, who just shrugged.

"Cuz you look like Scrooge wearing your robe around!" Jinx grinned, “Waiting for the ghosts of Christmas past?”

"My robe," Jayce smirked.

Viktor rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath as he stood to leave the room. “I’ll change, then, since my fashion is being mocked.”

Jayce watched him go, he was going to miss casual robed Viktor. It might be one of his favorite iterations. He grabbed a pair of work gloves from the desk and slipped them on. Ready to get down to business.

“We’re going to need a bigger power source if we’re going to get this to actually work,” Jayce said, glancing back at Jinx. “I’m talking serious juice, not this portable generator stuff. What’s the output capacity for your current grid connection?”

“Two hundred kilowatts,” Jinx replied, tapping her marker against the whiteboard.

“That’s not nearly enough for sustained particle cohesion. We’d need at least triple that,” Jayce said, shaking his head.

“We’re not running a live test today,” Jinx said with a sigh, planting her hands on her hips. “The best we can do is simulated transfers. We’ll have to solve the power issue before we move on to physical objects. What about a pulse generator?” Jinx asked, not looking up from her calculations. “You know, hit it with a big ol’ zap of energy all at once. Like a defibrillator for science.” She grinned like she’d just discovered the secret to the universe.

“Not sustainable,” Viktor replied without hesitation as he re-entered the room, now wearing a pair of sweatpants and another strange band shirt. This one was The Pixies. “It would destabilize the transfer field. Sudden shifts in energy levels create fluctuations in the quantum state. We’d lose cohesion.” He drew a rough wave graph in his notebook, circling the peaks. “We need consistency, not spikes.”

“Fine, fine,” Jinx groaned, tossing the marker onto the table. “Ugh, how do you guys live like this? No TV, no background music. I’m dying in here.” She threw herself onto a chair dramatically, limbs sprawled out like she’d been defeated by boredom itself.

“We survive through a fascination with what we are working on,” Viktor replied, eyes still on his notes. Jayce had no idea what a TV was, and he knew Viktor didn’t either. Perhaps it was some kind of music player.

“I can bring the record player in if the silence is too much for you.” Jayce teased as he looked at the devices set up on the table. He felt like he could build better. These seemed to be made from scrap metal. It was possibly the worst welding he had ever seen in his life.

“Boring,” Jinx declared, rising from the chair, “I’m getting Isha a coloring book. Poor kid’s just walking in circles like a tiny ghost.”

Isha, who’d been pacing aimlessly across the far side of the lab, paused at the mention of her name. She tilted her head and gave Jinx a curious, toothy grin.

“See? She’s lost in the void,” Jinx lamented as she wandered out of the room, calling back over her shoulder, “Don’t do anything cool while I’m gone.”

“No promises,” Jayce called after her, grinning.

The more time he spent with Jinx, the less he equated her with the girl who apparently bombed the bridge and blew up the council room, ultimately leading to Viktor’s first death. At this point, everyone he knew had done horrible things in their old world. Who was he to judge her? Had he not led to the destruction of his own city through the invention of Hextech itself? Had he not contributed to the systemic issues plaguing their sister city? Had he not murdered a little boy with his own hands? He was sure the list of his offenses could go on. He couldn’t hold hers against her even if it was mostly Viktor’s death that he had found himself angry at her for. He had killed Viktor, too, and rejected him and hurt him. It wasn’t fair for him to try and pin that feeling onto someone else to redirect his own guilt.

Jayce let his eyes wander to his partner—lover—friend—husband. Viktor was absorbed in his own notes, his hair was still loose and wild but after a minute of scribbling and pushing his hair back he eventually took a hair tie that had been around his wrist and started pulling his hair back. He glanced up from his notes as he did it and spotted Isha watching him from the edge of the room. Her eyes flicked between him and Jayce like she was trying to figure out where she’d fit in. Jayce had to admit that she was making him think about kids. God, why did Jinx have to put that idea into his head?

“You may come closer if you wish, little one,” Viktor said, waving her over. Isha’s face lit up, and she hurried toward him, small feet tapping softly on the wood floor. She stopped next to him, looking at his notebook with wide eyes.

“Would you like to help?” Viktor asked gently, holding his pencil out to her. She blinked, tilted her head, then gave him a look that clearly said, “I’m not that gullible.” He chuckled. “Smart girl.”

Jinx returned with a coloring book and a fresh pack of markers. She plopped them down in front of Isha like she’d just delivered a treasure chest. “Here ya go, Picasso. Go nuts.”

Isha’s eyes went wide, and she flipped open the book, taking her time to choose her first marker. She sat cross-legged on the floor, fully absorbed in her new mission.

“Guest room is soon to be remodeled, I see,” Viktor quipped, tilting his head toward the coloring frenzy, “Perhaps we should get her some paint and see what she comes up with for the walls.”

“Nope,” Jayce said flatly, not missing a beat. He didn’t look up from the device he was inspecting, but his voice left no room for negotiation.

Jinx and Viktor exchanged a glance, the kind of conspiratorial look. Their matching grins widened as they turned to him in unison, twin portraits of mischief.

“You’re no fun,” Jinx said, flopping dramatically onto a nearby chair like her heart had been broken.

“Not fun at all,” Viktor added with mock gravity, his voice heavy with exaggerated disappointment. He tapped his pencil against his notebook, pretending to focus on his equations while the sparkle of amusement in his eyes betrayed him.

Jayce shook his head, though his lips twitched, betraying the grin he was struggling to suppress. “I’m plenty of fun,” he muttered under his breath.

“Sure, you are,” Jinx teased.

Viktor hummed in agreement, shooting Jayce a look that was equal parts teasing and fond. “You’re a paragon of excitement, my dear.”

Jayce shook his head, lips pressed together in a way that almost hid his grin. Jinx and Viktor made a chaotic duo. Viktor had always been a rather expressive, sarcastic person around Jayce; the more he got to know him, the more his humor came out, but it was always present. He just liked seeing Viktor happy, interreacting naturally with someone other than himself. Seeing Jinx coax it out of him so effortlessly filled him with an odd sense of contentment. Viktor deserved to laugh more often, even if it wasn’t always Jayce bringing it out of him.

“I think this device needs some serious work, though,” Jayce said, shifting gears as he held up one of the crude contraptions. The welds were an absolute horror show, “Who welded this thing? It looks like a crime scene.”

“Me! I did the welding,” Jinx declared proudly, hopping up from her chair. “Why? You got a problem with my work, lover-boy?”

“Yeah,” Jayce replied, deadpan, holding the device at arm’s length like it might explode. “As a whole, it might be the worst welding I’ve ever seen.”

Jinx gasped, her face a picture of mock betrayal. Without warning, she launched herself onto Jayce’s back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Take it back, take it back!”

Jayce staggered under the sudden weight but quickly regained his balance, laughing as he tried to pry her off. “I’m not going to take it back—it’s the truth!”

From his seat, Viktor watched the chaos unfold with an amused tilt of his head, his pencil hovering over his notebook. Beside him, Isha stopped coloring and intently observed the scene. After a moment, she raised her small hand and pointed at Jinx, rubbing her fingers together in the universal gesture for money.

Viktor’s eyes twinkled as he leaned toward her. “Ah, I see. You are placing a bet? Very well. I will bet on Jayce. What are we wagering?”

Isha shrugged and did a little twist of her lips that mirrored the motion.

“If you win,” Viktor said with a thoughtful nod, “you may color on one of the walls in the guest room.”

Jayce, still grappling with Jinx on his back, froze mid-struggle. “No! Viktor, no one is coloring on the walls!”

“Do not ruin her artistic dreams, Jayce,” Viktor said serenely, clearly enjoying himself.

“She can dream all she wants—but not on my walls!” Jayce shot back. His voice strained as Jinx tightened her grip and cackled like some kind of goblin.

“She’s going to win, you know,” Viktor remarked to Isha, his voice conspiratorial.

Isha grinned, pointing to Jinx again and nodding decisively. Meanwhile, Jayce groaned in defeat as Jinx tightened her hold and crowed triumphantly.

Viktor chuckled softly to himself, jotting something down in his notebook as if nothing at all were out of the ordinary.

--------------

A vibration broke the bubble of pens scratching on paper and the squeak of whiteboard markers. Jayce pulled out his phone and looked at the time—4:28 p.m. He had a text from Vi.

Vi: I’m here

"Damn," he muttered, eyes wide. "Vi's picking me up to go to the gym and to get my car from the bar."

The room went quiet as they all checked the clock on the wall above the door. They’d been at it for hours trying to break the codes of quantum teleportation, and while they might be getting somewhere, they were still miles away from their destination.

Jinx leaned back in her chair with a dramatic sigh, crossing her arms. "Make us food before you leave!"

"I feel like you guys can figure that out. She's down in the garage."

He stood, stretching his arms above his head, before leaning over Viktor and kissing him briefly. "I’ll only be gone a couple of hours, promise. Not going to go too hard at the bar. You gonna be okay with these crazy girls?"

Viktor gave him an amused smile, a little mischievous, "Get out of here, darling. Let us have our sleepover."

Jinx grinned wide. "Hell yeah! We can order pizza!"

Isha smiled in excited agreement, abandoning her coloring book to jump on Jinx’s lap.

Jayce laughed softly, shaking his head. "God, what am I going to come home to?"

Viktor’s expression was neutral as he raised an eyebrow. "Chaos."

"As long as no one turns into an interdimensional being intent on taking over the world with a collective hive mind while I’m gone, I think I can survive."

Jinx winked at him. "No promises!"

Jayce ran quickly across the apartment to the bedroom to put on some socks and throw a bag together with clothes he could wear after their workout. His other gym bag was still in his car, and he was only wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants. He didn’t feel the need to change that. Then he slipped his running shoes on and out the door to the elevator.

Down in the garage, Jayce stepped out into the dimly lit area, immediately spotting Vi leaning against her car. It was a beat-up red thing that looked like it was on its last legs.

"I was scared you’d be here with that bike."

Vi shrugged and gestured toward Jayce and his gym bag, "Can’t carry all that weight on my ride."

Jayce hopped into the passenger seat and tossed his bag into the back. "Sure this thing can take the weight?”

Vi turned the key in the ignition, and the car let out a series of sputters, wheezes, and an ominous clunk before finally roaring to life with a defiant growl. Jayce raised an eyebrow, glancing warily at the dashboard as it rattled slightly.

"Impressive," he deadpanned. "Did you rebuild this thing from spare parts in a scrapyard?"

Vi grinned, throwing the car into gear as they lurched out of the parking lot. "Nah, but if it breaks down, I’ll let you push it. Consider it your cardio for the day."

After being on the road for a minute, Vi spoke up again, "So, is Powder still there?"

“Yeah, left her and Viktor in the lab. We sort of lost track of time trying to get the math to work.”

Vi glanced over, her hands still on the wheel. "She sticking around tonight?"

Jayce nodded, "Yeah, staying the night again. Having a ‘sleepover’ with Viktor. I’ll be a little annoyed if he actually dyes his hair blue; he’s been teasing me about it."

Vi laughed loudly. "Damn, you think he’d dye his hair? I don’t think blue is his color."

Jayce shook his head, his voice softening with affection. "Brown is his color, and it’s perfect the way it is."

Vi smirked at him, "Dude, you are so down bad for your own husband. It’s kind of hilarious."

Jayce laughed, shaking his head, "And you’re not down bad for Caitlyn and her mongoose body?”

Vi sputtered, “Hey! What we say in The Last Drop stays in The Last Drop! You better not tell her I said that! She wouldn’t understand…and I won’t tell your husband that you get off on how skinny his thighs are!”

--------------

Viktor leaned against the counter, a warm mug of hot Earl Grey in his hands as Jinx dug through the refrigerator. Isha was nearby, her effervescent giggles filling the room as she kicked a small foam ball across the living room floor. Every now and then, the ball thudded softly against the furniture, and she’d freeze for a moment like a startled rabbit before continuing her game.

“Alright, Professor,” Jinx declared, closing the fridge like it personally offended her. “You’ve only got ingredients in here, and we’re not cooking, so where’s your phone? Let’s order something good.”

Viktor paused mid-sip, lowering his cup with a slight frown. “My…phone?”

“Yes, your phone, Cookie. You know, the magical rectangle you talk to people with. We need it for food.” She mimed holding something and wiggled her thumbs to simulate swiping.

Viktor set his tea down, his brow furrowing. He hadn’t thought about his phone once in…at least a couple of days. The last time he had even looked at it was the night they went through all his medical documents. “I…do not know where it is.”

Jinx groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Why are you like this, I swear. Most people would die without their phone, like, on their person, but you just set it down somewhere and forget it exists.”

Ignoring her dramatics, Viktor pushed off the counter and moved toward the bedroom. “I will find it.”

The bedroom was dim. The soft light from the evening sun cast long shadows across the walls from the tall windows. Viktor scanned the room, his eyes landing on the device plugged neatly into the wall beside the bed. He wondered if Jayce had put it there, but he didn’t remember doing anything with it at all. Didn’t even realize…it needed to be plugged into the wall. How odd. He unplugged it, and the screen lit up with a slew of missed notifications. He frowned at the sheer number of them—texts, emails, and a handful of app notifications. He didn’t feel like dealing with them now. He didn’t know how his counterpart handled it. Viktor didn’t think he would enjoy being constantly available to anyone who wanted to contact him at any time.

Jayce seemed to be taking to the phones a lot faster than himself.

As he returned to the kitchen, Jinx drummed her fingers on the counter. “Took you long enough!” She snatched the phone from his hand before he could protest. “Alright, let’s see what Uber Eats has in store for us tonight.”

Viktor watched as her fingers glided across the screen as if she knew exactly what she was looking for and how to find it. She pulled up the program called “Uber Eats.” The interface was strange to him, filled with bright images of food. It was another startling convenience of this world. The idea of just…ordering food from a little device to come right to you instead of having to go out in search of it.

She angled it so he could see what she was doing. “Okay, what’s our vibe tonight? Pizza? Tacos? Indian? Something fancy? Wait…” Her eyes gleamed. “Let’s get sushi.”

“Sushi?” Viktor tilted his head. He had no idea what that was, but Jinx pulled up a restaurant called Sushi Mochi. The pictures looked interesting, it appeared to be mostly fish and noodle soups.

She scrolled through the options, “You’re rich! We’re going all out.”

He raised a brow but didn’t argue. “Very well.”

Jinx grinned triumphantly and started adding items to the cart, muttering things like, “Ooh, dragon roll,” and “Can’t forget the miso soup.” Viktor had no idea how much food she was ordering, but he trusted her judgment—or at least her enthusiasm. He was curious himself about this new thing he was going to try. “We should get some eel and Takoyaki! I want to broaden Isha’s pallet.”

By the time she hit the checkout button, the list was absurdly long. Viktor glanced at the screen and couldn’t help but comment, “You have ordered enough to feed a small army.”

Jinx shrugged. “Better too much than not enough. Plus, leftovers are a thing.” She set the phone down and leaned against the counter with a smirk.

Across the room, Isha squealed in horror as her ball rolled under the couch, her tiny hands reaching underneath to retrieve it. Viktor watched her for a moment, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.

“Well,” Jinx said, breaking him out of his thoughts, “we’ve got some time to kill before it gets here. What’s next on the sleepover agenda? Dyeing hair or setting up the projector?”

 “I believe this is your sleepover. I am simply here for the ride.”

Jinx laughed, “Oh, Cookie, you’re gonna regret saying that. Isha!” The little girl perked up like a prairie dog from under the couch, “We’ve got an important question to answer: dyeing our hair—first or last?”

Isha immediately started bouncing on her toes, tugging at her dark hair with an expression that made her excitement unmistakable.

“Hair it is!” Jinx declared, throwing her arms in the air. “Let’s go, people!” She grabbed Viktor by the sleeve and began dragging him toward the guest bathroom.

Viktor followed her with resigned amusement, glancing down at Isha as she trotted beside them. “I assume I have no say in this.”

“Not a chance, Cookie,” Jinx said without missing a beat. “You gave up choosing privileges. You handed them right to me without a thought in that big brain of yours!”

Jinx disappeared for a moment into the guest bedroom to retrieve the supplies. Viktor waited in the hallway, leaning lightly on his cane, while Isha flitted around him in an excited whirl. When Jinx returned, she carried an impressive haul—several boxes of hair dye, a tangle of plastic gloves, mixing bowls, and an alarming number of brushes. She shoved the door to the guest bathroom open with her hip, tossing the assortment onto the counter with a dramatic flair.

The countertop was a mess of colors—pink, blue, purple, green, and white-blonde—all packed neatly into boxes. Brushes, bowls and gloves were scattered among them, and a roll of plastic wrap. Jinx clapped her hands together as if to get their attention.

 “Is all of this necessary?”

“Of course,” Jinx replied with mock solemnity, snapping a pair of gloves onto her hands. She turned to him, her grin sharpening as she wiggled her eyebrows, “Alright, Professor, here’s the deal. I know you said no blue and no pink, but hear me out: white-blonde.”

Viktor stared at her, “I am not dying my hair.”

“Come onnnnn,” Jinx whined, dragging out the word as she pouted dramatically. “White blonde! It’ll look so freaking sick, Cookie!”

“No,” Viktor said firmly, crossing his arms.

Jinx threw herself onto her knees as if to beg him, but it was an obvious exaggeration. “Pleeeeease!”

Isha, catching onto the game, mimicked Jinx, her small hands tugging at Viktor’s pants with big puppy-dog eyes.

Viktor looked between the two of them, exhaling through his nose, “Jayce will hate it.”

“That’s the spirit!” Jinx grinned. “Wait, does that mean you’re saying yes?”

Viktor sighed. “Fine. But only part, I do not want my entire head to be white.”

That made him think of how he presented in his mind while he was fused with the hex core…how he looked in his dreams. It would be too close to something real, who he really was—a spirit inhabiting a body and not the body itself.

“Yes!” Jinx shot to her feet, pumping her fists in the air. “You’re not gonna regret this, Cookie. You’re gonna look so badass.”

Viktor muttered something in Czech under his breath, “Vlezlá malá holka.”

The language came as easy and natural to him as Zaunite once did. His childhood and the childhood of this other Viktor seemed to be entwining more with every passing day, like strands of a double helix. He could still distinguish his true memories from the alternates, but they were intrinsically linked now, overlaying each other like a shadow and its object. It was a strange phenomenon, one he didn’t entirely understand but had come to accept as part of this shared existence. He considered the implications briefly; he believed that this must have been some effect of sharing the body as it was. He regretted telling Jayce his thoughts on it; he didn’t want the man to focus on it so much when there was little to nothing they could do about it now.

Jinx ignored his comment as she dove into setting up the supplies. Isha clapped her hands together excitedly, clearly thrilled to be part of the chaos.

“All right, troops,” Jinx declared, snapping on a pair of plastic gloves. “Let’s bleach.”

As she vigorously shook a bottle of developer, Viktor pushed himself off the counter and made his way to Jayce’s lab. His back was beginning to ache. A dull, insistent throb that couldn’t be ignored. Grabbing a stool, he returned to the bathroom, easing onto it with a sigh of relief.

The sharp, acrid scent of bleach filled the room, stinging Viktor’s nose, but he said nothing. He had already resigned himself to the madness and decided to approach it with his usual patience, though a small part of him couldn’t help but feel amused at the whole ordeal. There was something about it that was strangely enjoyable.

“All right,” Jinx said, snapping on a fresh pair of gloves with a flourish. “We’re doing this assembly-line style. Cookie, you’re going to do Isha, and I’m going to do you!” She punctuated the sentence with a slow, exaggerated wink, tilting her head slightly and smirking in a way that was deliberately over-the-top. “Don’t worry, Professor—I’ll be gentle,” she added with a sly grin. Viktor’s lips twitched somewhere between amusement and exasperation.

“Your humor is as subtle as your hair color,” he replied flatly, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Jinx snorted, tossing her hair back dramatically. “Subtlety is boring. Now sit still, Cookie.”

Jinx was already behind Viktor, gathering most of his hair into a messy bun on top of his head, pulling a few strands out that hung haphazardly around his face, and clipping it securely to keep it out of the way. She left the section at the nape of his neck loose, “This is gonna be amazing.”

“You have a peculiar definition of the word ‘amazing’,” Viktor muttered, pulling on gloves of his own. “Ready, little one?”

Isha grinned and nodded enthusiastically, practically vibrating with excitement. She stepped closer, nestling herself between Viktor’s knees as he sat on the stool. Her small hands gripped his legs for balance as she looked up at him with wide, expectant eyes. Viktor couldn’t help but feel the sharp pang of affection for her. He had never been a fan of children...even when he was one. He had always been so…apart from them. It was why he had been so taken by Singed. Though at the time, he had only known him as The Scientist. It had been so much easier to connect with him on both a social and intellectual level… then that had ended due to moral differences.

Children had always remained a mystery to him. Thinking back on the conversation from the morning. He thought Jayce would be a wonderful father…but Viktor, no matter how cute Isha was, even without his disease, did not see his own children in his future. He could see it in Jayce’s. He could see Jayce with two to three children happily. He didn’t know why that made him feel jealous.

He worked carefully, his movements methodical as he used a fine-toothed comb to create even sections in her hair, even as his mind was elsewhere. He clipped each part neatly in place with the small, colorful clips Jinx had dumped onto the counter. Isha’s head tilted slightly as she followed his every move with curiosity, her excitement radiating from her in waves. Despite her boundless energy, she stayed perfectly still.

Jinx had begun slathering bleach onto the underside of Viktor’s hair with gusto. “Hold still, Cookie,” she said, tugging gently at a strand. “This part’s gotta be even, or it’ll look patchy.”

“I am holding still,” Viktor replied, “It is not my fault you are overly aggressive with your methods.”

Jinx snorted, her hands deftly working through the strands of Viktor’s hair as she massaged the bleach. She paused just long enough to toss her hair over her shoulder with pseudo indignation. “You’re lucky I’m a perfectionist, Conrad.”

“I am not Russian, Powder,” Viktor countered without missing a beat, arching a brow at her. His voice was smooth, but there was a faint glimmer of amusement in his golden-brown eyes.

Jinx gasped dramatically, her gloved hand pausing mid-air as if she’d just been struck by an invisible force. “You can’t just throw my dead name out there when I call you something you don’t like!”

“How is that fair?” Viktor asked, tilting his head slightly.

“It’s not!” Jinx crowed, her grin splitting wide as she gave a defiant little tug on a strand of his hair.

The three of them settled into a rhythm—Viktor applied bleach to Isha’s hair with careful strokes, Jinx worked on his, finished up the bottom, and carefully chose select pieces to streak.

When all the bleach was applied, and they waited the obligatory 15 minutes, the trio moved to the next step: the rinsing.

“Alright, troops! Time for phase two. Kneel before the bleach overlord!” Jinx declared, pointing dramatically toward the tub.

They took turns kneeling over the bathtub, Jinx holding the handheld shower head. Isha went first, giggling softly as Jinx scrubbed her hair with surprising gentleness, the once-dark brown strands turning a pale yellow under the water. Then Viktor. He knelt on the mat by the tub, his head bowed as Jinx rinsed out the bleach.

“White toner next,” Jinx announced as she reached for another bottle. She handed Viktor a premixed bowl of blue dye for Isha. “Here, De Vinci. Do your thing.”

Viktor took the bowl Jinx handed to him and turned his attention to Isha, who stood between his legs again, practically vibrating with excitement. “Ready, little one?” he asked, and she gave an eager nod, her eyes wide and trusting.

His hands were steady and precise as he sectioned her damp hair with the same care he used when adjusting delicate instruments. The vibrant blue dye spread through her strands like watercolor on a canvas, saturating each section with rich, electric color. Isha squirmed slightly but stayed mostly still.

“You’re going to look like a miniature Jinx,” he said softly, earning a proud grin from the girl.

As they worked, a sudden knock echoed from the front door. Jinx, ever energetic, bolted from the bathroom without hesitation, yelling, “I got it!” over her shoulder. Viktor and Isha exchanged amused glances as they continued their task, the quiet of the bathroom briefly interrupted by the sound of Jinx’s hurried footsteps.

A few minutes later, Jinx returned, having left whatever food they had gotten out in the kitchen, “Alright, mission accomplished! Back to work, team!”

Once the dye was evenly applied, Jinx handed each of them a shower cap with a flourish. Isha’s was covered in cheerful polka dots, while Viktor’s featured an eclectic assortment of flowers. “Now we wait,” Jinx said, snapping her gloves off with a theatrical flair. “Let the magic happen.”

In the kitchen, the chaos continued as they unpacked the takeout bags. The sheer amount of food was overwhelming, with trays and boxes spilling across the island counter. Sushi rolls of every variety, neatly arranged sashimi, dipping sauces, fried tempura vegetables, and steaming bowls of miso soup. Viktor wasn’t sure what he was looking at, but it was excessive.

“You ordered an entire menu,” Viktor observed, his brow arching as he surveyed the counter. The array of unfamiliar dishes reminded him, oddly, of the bustling street vendors in Zaun, their carts laden with skewers of sizzling meat and steaming bowls of brothy soups. It, in that way, felt like home in a way he rarely got to enjoy.

“Of course we did!” Jinx said, her mouth already half full of tempura. “It’s a feast, Cookie!” She was unapologetic, as though anything less would have been an insult to the occasion.

The trio gathered around the kitchen island. Jinx had already made herself at home, snatching pieces from the containers with little wooden sticks and gesturing dramatically toward the food. “Come on, people, dig in!”

Isha, perched on a stool, giggled as she attempted to pick up a piece of sushi with her tiny sticks. The roll slipped from her grasp, plopping back into its container. Viktor stepped in with a gentle smile, and instead of struggling with the little sticks that he was unfamiliar with, he just reached in and picked the roll-up with his hand, popping it in his mouth and making Isha giggle. She, too, abandoned her sticks and used her hands instead.

“You’re a bad influence, Cookie,” she teased, stuffing a piece of salmon sashimi into her mouth.

Viktor shrugged, “I never claimed to be a good one.”

Viktor found himself enjoying the food immensely. It reminded him of a couple of street vendors that he used to frequent. Every now and then, the food in Piltover became so monotonous that he would travel back to the undercity just to spend time eating. He was especially enjoying the eel rolls and salmon sashimi. The Takoyaki as well. It struck him how this simple act of communal eating—everyone leaning over the same table, sharing stories and food—reminded him of Zaun. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed this—the communal eating and the sense of belonging that came from sharing a meal over a counter.

“This might be the best thing I’ve eaten in years,” he admitted.

“We need to do Sushi more often,” she said, jabbing a piece of tuna toward him. “I feel like we keep getting Indian food when we go out because you are literally the only person I know that eats it as spicy as me—well, besides my dad. Vi always wants it medium—pussy.”

Viktor stood, he was getting full, and they had barely made a dent in the spread before them. “What are your requests?” he asked, gesturing toward the record player against the far wall.

Jinx tilted her head thoughtfully, her fingers drumming on the counter. “What Hozier albums do you have? That new one?”

Viktor flipped through the neatly stacked records and paused at the two Hozier albums. Wasteland, Baby! and his self-titled debut. He held them up for her to see.

Jinx wrinkled her nose. “Ugh! I wanted to listen to Too Sweet. Okay, ditch that. Put on Kate Bush.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow but complied, pulling Hounds of Love from the collection and placing it on the turntable.

“Now, this is a vibe,” Jinx said, nodding approvingly as she popped another piece of sushi into her mouth. Isha, delighted by the music, began to sway gently in her seat, her little hands keeping time against the counter.

Jinx leaned back in her chair with a stretch. “Alright,” she announced, “once you two shower that shit out of your hair, we can set up the projector.”

Viktor tilted his head, curious. “What are you going to be presenting?”

Jinx froze mid-stretch, staring at him like he’d just declared the sky green. “Presenting?! Presenting a movie marathon—what are you, from the 1920s?”

Viktor blinked. “Well, ‘projector’—” He made a vague gesture with his hand.

Jinx dissolved into laughter, clutching her stomach. “Oh my God, Cookie, you kill me. You’re too much.” She wiped at her eyes, still grinning. “Can you believe this kid hasn’t seen Princess Mononoke?! Or any of them! I don’t know who her parents were, but they really missed the mark with the movies.”

“Any… what?” Viktor asked, utterly lost.

Jinx’s jaw dropped, and she pointed a dramatic finger at him. “Dude, have you not seen Studio Ghibli films either?! That shit ends tonight. I’m about to blow your mind.”

Viktor opened his mouth to respond, but Isha beat him to it, clapping her hands and making little noises in excitement.

“Well, there you have it,” Jinx declared, leaning back with a smug grin. “Looks like the people have spoken. Prepare yourself, Cookie. You’re about to enter a whole new world.”

Viktor sighed, sometimes the oddities of this world were too much for him to follow, and his scalp was starting to itch. “Very well, show me this… Studio Ghibli, but first, I think it is time to shower this stuff out of my hair.”

--------------

The bar was packed, it was way different then when they came on Thursday night. The Last Drop was loud with conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the crack of pool balls. Jayce and Vi were huddled over the pool table they’d managed to snag before the Saturday night rush turned the place into a flood.

Vi leaned over the table, eyes focused as she lined up her shot. The pool cue hovered for a moment. The sharp clack of the cue ball against one of the striped balls sent it rolling cleanly into the corner pocket. Straightening up, Vi smirked as she surveyed the table hunting for her next victim.

Jayce, leaning casually against the edge of the table, swirled his half-empty beer bottle in his hand. “So, what’s going on with that Maddie chick?”

Vi didn’t look at him immediately; instead, she busyed herself by chalking her cue. “You noticed?” she asked, a note of irritation in her voice as she moved to line up her next shot.

“Yeah, I noticed,” Jayce replied, watching her with a small grin. “Hard not to.”

Vi exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders before taking the shot. The ball missed the pocket by a fraction, and she stepped back with a sigh, gesturing for Jayce to take his turn. “Remember when Cait and I took that break six months ago?” she started, her voice trying to be casual, but her words were clipped. “You know, that break that wasn’t really a break, but we were calling it a break—and then we got back together after only, like, two weeks?”

Jayce placed his beer on the edge of the table, frowning slightly as he leaned down to study the layout of the balls. He had no idea what she was referring to, but that was par for the course at this point. “Uh, right,” he said, rolling with it.

“Well,” Vi continued, folding her arms as she leaned against her cue stick. “In those two fucking weeks, she got drunk one night, having a girl’s night or some shit, and they fucked. Which, fine, cool, I get it. I wasn’t pissed about it. Hell, I’m not pissed about it now. I didn’t care at all when she was trying to tell me about it. I was just happy that she forgave me for that ‘oil and water’ bullshit, and I was forgiving her for being a classist and ignorant. We were on a break, dude. If I was going to be mad, I shouldn’t have called it a break. It was my fucking choice. She didn’t even wanna do it.”

Jayce straightened, squinting slightly as he aimed for his next shot. The cue ball tapped a solid, sending it ricocheting toward the pocket before spinning off at the wrong angle. “Right,” he murmured as he handed the game back to her.

Vi snorted, her lips pulling into a half-smile as she leaned over the table again. “Well, then she, like, kept hanging out with her… which is chill, it’s whatever. I’m not worried about Cait.” She lined up her cue, “I don’t think she’s going to cheat on me; she’s not like that. If it did happen, she’d be crying about it, you know? It’s not something she’d hide from me. It’s just fucking obvious that Maddie wants to fuck her again, and it's bullshit.”

Jayce hummed in acknowledgment, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the table. His gaze followed Vi as she sank another ball. She was kicking his ass again. It took two more shots before she missed then Vi stepped back, motioning for him to take over.

“It’s like, dude!” Vi threw up her hands, “You had her! You got a taste, and now you need to back the fuck off. And Cait is, like, totally oblivious—‘Maddie’s just being nice.’ Nice, my ass. She wants you to strap her down again.”

Jayce chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. “Well, if you don’t think Cait’s going to do anything—which I agree with, by the way—what’s the issue? That they’re still friends?”

Vi grabbed her beer, taking a long drink before slamming the bottle onto the table. “The issue is that Maddie’s a bitch and a homewrecker wannabe, and I don’t get being friends with someone like that.”

Jayce nodded thoughtfully, his focus drifting to the shot he was lining up. He leaned down, the cool wood of the cue stick steady in his hands, and took a slow, cautious shot. The ball rolled toward the pocket, hovered on the edge, and then wobbled to a stop just shy of going in. “Damn,” he muttered, stepping aside as Vi reclaimed the table.

“And you’ve talked to Cait about it?” he asked, grabbing his beer and taking another sip.

“Of course, I’ve talked to her,” Vi said as she bent over the table again. “But then it becomes this whole thing about trust and whether I trust her or not, and the thing is, I do. It just pisses me off.”

The growing noise of the bar seemed to swell around them. Vander moved behind the bar like a well-oiled machine, pouring drinks and wiping down counters with a speed that gave Jayce the impression that he’d been doing this his whole life. Jayce glanced around the bar and was relieved to find no sign of Silco. Even in this world, where he wasn’t a drug lord, the man was somehow more intimidating.

“I’m probably going to head home after this game,” Jayce said, watching Vi line up her next shot. “I’m kind of nervous about what I’m going to come home to with Jinx and Viktor. Up to dangerous science. I have no idea what a sleepover with them will entail.”

Vi let out a laugh, and the sound was loud and genuine. “Explosions, most likely. Probably convincing him to dye his hair purple or something.”

Jayce snorted. “God, he’d do it too, just to mess with me.”

“What, you don’t think it’d be hot?” Vi teased, her grin widening as she took her next shot.

Jayce tilted his head thoughtfully. “Too hot, maybe,” he admitted, finishing off his beer.

Vi raised a brow as she straightened, “He’s not going to dye his hair, man. He might let her throw a streak in there, but I doubt he’ll go full head.”

Jayce pushed off the wall, gesturing toward the bar. “I’m going to grab another beer. You want one?”

Vi tipped her bottle back, draining the rest of it in one go before setting it down. “Yeah, hit me.”

Jayce weaved his way through the crowd, flashing two fingers at Vander as he reached the counter. The large man set two beers in front of him, but he had a stern look on his face. “You’re taking it easy tonight, yeah? Gotta drive your car home, thought that was the point.”

Jayce grinned sheepishly. “This is my last one. You can cut me off if I try to come back over here for anything other than water.”

Vander chuckled, his voice a low rumble. “I’m holding you to that.”

Returning to the table, Jayce handed Vi her beer and leaned against the wall to watch her line up her final shot. The eight-ball sank cleanly into the pocket, and Vi straightened up with a triumphant grin. “You win again,” Jayce said with mock exasperation.

“Damn straight,” Vi replied, raising her beer in a toast. “You and Vik figured out your costumes for this year?”

She mirrored him, settling against the wall with her arms crossed and her beer in hand. He had no idea what she was talking about, but the buzz in his system seemed to make it easier to roll with the punches, “No, uh, we haven’t yet.”

Vi shrugged, taking another sip of her drink. “I think Silco’s gonna be handing out the invites this week. The theme is Monster Mash Monster Bash—classic Halloween shit, you know? I want Cait and I to do Frankenstein and his Bride. Vander’s gonna be a werewolf, and I think Silco is pulling out his Dracula again.”

Jayce frowned slightly, his mind snagging on the unfamiliar names. He was vaguely aware of werewolves thanks to the party game, but “Dracula” and “Frankenstein” were complete mysteries to him. He decided not to overthink it. “Halloween…” he started, grasping for something to say. “Ugh… what was… last year again?”

Vi’s face crumpled into a sneer, “Man, how should I know? Wait…” She snapped her fingers as the memory came back to her. “Oh yeah! Last year’s theme was Ghoulish Celebrities, and I think you guys did, like… some famous scientists because you’re nerds, and no one knew who the fuck you were all night.”

Jayce chuckled, shaking his head. That did seem like a pair of costumes he and Viktor would choose. “Who were you?” he asked, watching her polish off the last of her beer in a couple of chugs.

“Thelma and Louise,” she said with a grin, “We nailed it, too. Cait would make a hot Bride of Frankenstein don’t you think?”  She leaned her head back against the wall with a satisfied sigh, the bottle dangling loosely in her hand.

Jayce couldn’t help but smile. “Sure, I think Cait could pull off anything, probably,” He had no idea what a Bride of Frankenstein entailed, but there was a decent opportunity to get some clarity, “Got any classic monster ideas for us?”

Vi gave him a wry look. “Come on, man, that’s your problem to figure out. You better get on it, too; you only have a couple of weeks. And you know Cait’s totally gonna want to do pumpkins at your place.”

Jayce raised an eyebrow, taking another swig of his beer. Was his apartment the designated hosting spot or something…also…what were pumpkins, and why did they need carving, “She doesn’t want to… carve them at yours?”

“She fucking hates our apartment,” Vi said bluntly, rolling her eyes. “She could’ve had a fancy-schmancy one like yours if she just did what Mommy wanted, but no, she wants to be a public defender.”

Jayce laughed softly, shaking his head. “That’s the price for having principles.”

--------------

Jayce stepped into the apartment, kicking off his sneakers by the door and dropping his gym bag onto the floor with a heavy thud. The apartment was quiet at first, but the faint sound of piano music and voices reached him, accompanied by flickering blue light spilling out from the living room. He furrowed his brows, shrugging off his jacket and hanging it by the door.

As he walked deeper into the space, he paused, taking in the scene before him. The kitchen island was a disaster zone, covered in what seemed like half-eaten takeout containers and crumpled napkins. His eyes scanned the living room, where a sheet had been pinned up in front of the bookcases, glowing with moving images—like a dreamscape brought to life.

On the couch sat Viktor, Jinx, and Isha, illuminated by the ethereal glow of the projection. All three of them had some sort of pinkish substance smeared across their faces. Jayce blinked, his mouth slightly agape as the surreal image unfolded.

Viktor looked the most out of place—back in Jayce’s too-big robe, hair pushed back with a headband, face covered in that pink…clay. Jinx lounged next to him in an oversized T-shirt adorned with cartoonish cats, paired with soft pajama pants that clashed in the most Jinx-like way possible. Isha, nestled between them, wore a pale blue nightgown, her face smeared with the same mysterious pink paste. They all turned to look at him when he entered, their faces stoic and unmoving.

“What the hell is on your face?” Jayce finally asked, his voice caught somewhere between confusion and laughter.

“Mud masks,” Jinx answered nonchalantly, waving a hand like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Jayce raised an eyebrow, struggling to process the sight in front of him. “Okay…” he said slowly, glancing at Viktor for clarification.

“We are watching Spirited Away,” Viktor explained as if everything was normal, gesturing toward the glowing sheet. “We will pause it. We just started about ten minutes ago.”

Jayce took a few cautious steps closer, his bewildered gaze darting between the screen, the messy kitchen, and the trio on the couch. “Uh, okay?” he echoed.

Jayce stood there, still taking in the absurdity of the situation, when Jinx stretched her arms overhead and yawned. “It’s been like fifteen minutes,” she announced. “We can probably wash this shit off our faces now.” She started toward the guest bathroom, and Isha sprang up, practically running after her. Her little feet make light, rapid taps against the floor.

But Jayce’s eyes never left Viktor, who was still sitting on the couch, looking serene despite the disorder surrounding him. Slowly, Viktor pushed himself to his feet, grabbing his cane and using it to steady himself, “I will wash my face as well,” he said as he made his way to the bedroom.

Jayce’s chest tightened with affection, and he found himself helplessly mesmerized by Viktor all over again. Even smeared with pink mud, wearing Jayce’s too-big robe. God, Jayce loved him as he instinctively followed Viktor toward the bathroom. He wondered if he would ever get used to seeing Viktor so soft and stripped down.

Leaning casually on the doorframe, Jayce watched as Viktor adjusted the faucet and leaned over the sink. The robe gaped at the neck in the mirror, giving a little tease as Viktor cupped his hands under the water and splashed it over his face, working the strange pink mud into a slurry that trickled down into the sink. His hair, still pushed back from his face by the headband, was tumbling over his shoulders.

“So,” Jayce said, his voice light and teasing. “I take it you’ve had a good day?”

Viktor paused mid-motion, tilting his head slightly as if considering the question. He wiped his hands over his cheeks, clearing away the last of the mask before answering. “It has been eventful,” he replied, meeting Jayce’s eyes in the mirror with a small, knowing smile.

Unable to resist, Jayce moved into the room, slipping his arms around Viktor’s waist from behind. He pulled him close, resting his chin lightly on Viktor’s shoulder as they both gazed into the mirror. “I love you,” Jayce murmured. Pressing a kiss to the little mole on Viktor's neck.

Viktor’s eyes softened, and he offered Jayce one of those rare, genuine smiles that always made Jayce feel like the luckiest person alive. “Enough,” Viktor said simply, the word carrying more weight and meaning than any elaborate declaration could.

Jayce pressed another little kiss to Viktor’s neck, lingering there for a moment before grinning against his skin. “So… what is a Spirited Away, anyway?”

Viktor turned slightly to face Jayce over his shoulder. It placed his lips dangerously close to Jayce’s. His breath was warm, and Jayce wanted to kiss him. “It is a film,” Viktor explained, “Isha and Jinx seem quite fond of it. It is drawings that have been stung together and sound is recorded on top of it. It is quite the advancement in storytelling. We have already watched two of them.”

Jayce nodded, about to ask more when something caught his eye. His brow furrowed as he shifted his gaze to Viktor’s reflection, then back at the man in front of him and pushed his hair aside.

“Wait a second…” Jayce pulled back slightly, his hands resting on Viktor’s waist as he stared. “You dyed your hair?!”

Viktor turned around fully and removed the headband. Now that he didn’t have to keep his hair out of his face, a ghost of a smirk was tugging at his lips. “Only a little,” he said, his voice infuriatingly nonchalant.

Jayce groaned, dragging a hand down his face in mock despair. “Well, let me see it fully then.”

Viktor lifted his hair with his arm and turned around to show off the under-bit completely. There were also a couple of streaks through it but not much. “What do you think?”

Jayce wanted to be angry, or at least a little annoyed, but unfortunately, as he joked about at the bar with Vi…it was, indeed, pretty hot. He gathered Viktor back into his arms and sunk his teeth into his bared neck as punishment, causing Viktor to groan and tilt his head back, “It looks good, baby. I fucking hate it. You’re so fucking beautiful.”

Viktor laughed and gently pushed Jayce off, “Mm, you’re calling me ‘baby’ now? I thought we agreed that it wasn’t on the table.

Viktor leaned into his space, and they just sort of looked at each other for a while. Jayce couldn’t handle how pretty this man was. The white in his hair reminded Jayce of when he found Viktor at his commune. “It just feels right. You want me to stop?”

Viktor paused, looking at him, then pushed away and grabbed his cane, “I think I can allow it. Now, let's go watch Spirited Away.”

--------------

They watched three movies that night after Jayce returned from the gym. Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and finishing with Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Isha had conked out somewhere during the last one, curled into Jinx’s side with a blanket half-draped over her. By the time the credits rolled, it was well past everyone’s bedtime.

Jinx scooped her foster daughter into her arms with a gentleness that seemed almost out of character. She gave a playful salute to Jayce and Viktor before carrying Isha off to the guest room. Viktor followed shortly after, leaning over to give Jayce a kiss before he took himself to the bedroom—leaving Jayce with the mess.

Jayce sighed. He should have known he’d come back to a wreck. The kitchen island was buried under half-eaten takeout containers, sauce packets, and little wood sticks. Throw blankets were tossed across the couch and floor, the sheet they’d used as a makeshift screen hung loosely from the bookshelf, and the projector wires were still sprawled out like tangled spaghetti.

Despite the mess, it was nice to see the evidence of the evening. Viktor had been at ease, laughing at Jinx’s jokes, sharing quiet commentary on the films, and even indulging in some of the more playful moments with Isha. It was a side of him Jayce hadn’t seen in years, if ever, and it made his chest feel warm. Who would have guessed that Viktor would be so relaxed with Jinx—his murderer from a past life? The thought still felt surreal.

Jayce started wrapping and storing the leftover food before wiping down the counters. His thoughts lingered on Jinx. She was...a lot. But she didn’t seem dangerous, not in the way he remembered. Sure, she had a wild streak and a loud mouth, but the terrorist who had bombed the bridge and the council chambers? He couldn’t reconcile that with the woman who was sprawled across his couch hours earlier, making faces at Isha and trying to explain the lor behind these colorful, beautiful films.

Once the kitchen was clear, Jayce moved to the living room, taking down the sheet and folding it neatly before packing away the projector and blankets. He replaced the throw blankets under the coffee table, smoothing everything back into order. It was late, but the cleaning helped settle his mind.

When he passed the pill organizer on the counter, he noticed that the slot for Saturday night was empty. His chest loosened with a mix of relief and pride. He had carefully reorganized the pills earlier in the week, removing the experimental treatments. Seeing that Viktor had taken them on his own, without prompting, made him feel at ease. He didn’t want to hover, knowing how much Viktor hated that. But he couldn’t help worrying—it was like his brain was wired to prioritize Viktor’s health above everything else. Maybe he did need to take a breather. Viktor was right—they had time. Stressing over it wouldn’t make time move faster or make the solutions appear out of nowhere.

Jayce poured a glass of water, knowing Viktor liked to have one on his nightstand and headed toward the bedroom. As he opened the door, he half-expected to find Viktor sprawled out provocatively like the night before, but alas—the man was tucked snugly into the blankets. He did seem to have one of Jayce’s discarded shirts on, but though Viktor was still awake, he did not seem like he was trying to seduce him.

“Can’t sleep?” Jayce asked softly, rounding the bed and placing the glass on Viktor’s nightstand. Viktor’s amber eyes, heavy with lethargy, followed him lazily around the room.

“Mmmm, I was waiting for you,” Viktor murmured, his accent thick with his drowsiness making the words all slur together slightly.

Jayce smiled and went to the farthest closet with all his drawers in it. He stripped down his post-gym clothes and started to dress in one of the pajama sets. The quiet rustle of fabric was the only sound in the room.

“You could have helped me clean up, you know,” Jayce teased, buttoning his pajama top. “Would’ve gone faster with your help.”

Viktor snorted from the bed, “I am very tired…and weak.”

Jayce laughed, “Oh, yeah? Weak, huh? Then I should be taking better care of you. Need me to carry you around tomorrow? I could just keep you in my arms all day if you’re so weak.”

Crawling onto the bed from the foot, Jayce moved toward Viktor playfully, the mattress dipping beneath his weight. Viktor’s lips quirked into a small, sleepy smile as he watched Jayce approach, his head tilted ever so slightly on the pillow. “I am sure I will be back to myself tomorrow. No need for all that,” Viktor replied, his voice tinged with amusement.

Jayce settled himself under the covers and draped his body over Viktor’s, “So there is this thing called Halloween, it’s happening in a couple weeks. Apparently, it’s a holiday when people hand out candy and dress in costumes.”

Viktor started absently running his fingers up and down Jayce’s back in slow, soothing strokes. He responded with a sleepy hum. “That is odd.”

“Mmhm. Silco’s going to invite you to the party, apparently,” Jayce murmured, his voice a soft rumble against Viktor’s skin.

A faint frown crossed Viktor’s face, his brow furrowing slightly. “I feel like I know that name… I think he must be a teacher at my school.”

Jayce hesitated for a moment, then pressed a kiss to Viktor’s collarbone as though softening the weight of what he was about to say. “He was the leader of the underground—Zaun. The man we had to make a deal with for peace… before Jinx blew up the council room.”

Viktor’s hand stilled briefly on Jayce’s back, his expression shifting as he absorbed the memory. “Ah,” he murmured, his voice quieter. “I… forgot about that for a moment.”

“There was a lot going on,” Jayce offered, his tone warm and understanding as he brushed his thumb gently over Viktor’s hip.

“Mm,” Viktor hummed, his fingers resuming their soothing rhythm along Jayce’s spine. “Continue about the… mmm, Halloween.”

 “I consulted the archive, and it’s a big deal. We need to dress like…classic monsters or something.” Jayce rested his chin on Viktor’s chest so he could look at his face.

“Classic monsters?” Viktor echoed, his voice drifting. His fingers continued their gentle rhythm along Jayce’s back.

“Yeah, like werewolves and vampires and Frankenstein.”

“There is a book in my study named Frankenstein,” Viktor murmured, his eyes barely open.

“Oh, yeah?” Jayce perked up, intrigued.

“Mmhmm, there are multiple…editions, Dracula, too, I think. I did not see or remember any werewolves…. besides the game from last night.” Viktor had his eyes closed, but his hand was still running up and down Jayce’s back.

“Should probably read those, then, before the party.”

“Perhaps.” Viktors voice was a low mumble.

“There’s carving pumpkins too,” Jayce continued, his voice dropping to match Viktor’s sleepy rumble, “They’re a kind of squash people carve faces into and put candles inside. I guess Cait’s going to want to do it here.”

Viktor’s lips twitched, “Carving… squash?”

Jayce leaned down to kiss Viktor’s neck, “Yeah, apparently, it’s a tradition that’s lasted hundreds of years.”

Viktor’s hand slowed its motion along Jayce’s back, his breaths evening out as he relaxed deeper into the pillows. “You will have to show me this archive,” he murmured, his voice trailing off.

Jayce smiled, watching Viktor’s face relax with sleep. “How was tonight? It looked like you all had a good time.”

“Mmmm, yes,” Viktor replied, his eyes opening just a fraction to meet Jayce’s. “It was very good. The first film we watched was called Princess Mononoke, and I think I wish to show it to you. I think you would appreciate the message. It was quite philosophical.”

“I’d like that, baby,” Jayce said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to Viktor’s lips. “I liked the ones we watched—they all seemed pretty philosophical.”

“Yes,” Viktor agreed, a sigh slipping from his lips. “There seems to be a deep message to them all.” His voice grew softer, almost inaudible, as he added, “I want to procure one of these projectors and the films. They come on these disks.”

Jayce watched him, his heart swelling as Viktor’s face grew slack, every slight wrinkle smoothing out, “I think we can do that,” Jayce whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Viktor’s forehead. “Maybe get a better setup than that sheet.”

Viktor’s only response was a faint hum as he fully drifted off. Jayce moved carefully, turning off the sconce above Viktor’s nightstand before settling back into the bed. Wrapping himself around Viktor, he rested his head on the man’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. It didn’t take long before Jayce followed him into the realm of dreams.

Chapter Text

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

— Oscar Wilde

--------------

Sunday had passed in a blissful sequence of quiet moments and simple pleasures. Jinx and Isha had stuck around just long enough to ransack breakfast—leftover sushi, cold right from the fridge—before dragging that ridiculous suitcase behind them as they left. Isha skipped at Jinx’s side. Once the door closed, Viktor and Jayce had reclaimed the apartment as their own. The hours slipped by in blissful solitude. They lounged on the couch, their legs tangled together, scrolling through the archives on the phones—the Google. Jayce patiently taught Viktor how to navigate its vast trove of information. They discovered Halloween and the various other holidays that were on the horizon.

Viktor had gone through and responded to everything that seemed urgent. He had a million ‘emails’ from businesses trying to give him discounts for things, but there had been a couple of important ones. Mostly from the principal of the school, and he and Jayce came to the realization that they were going to actually have to do their jobs. Viktor was going to have to teach Physics and Chemistry to a bunch of teenagers. He had a decent grasp of it now, but that didn’t make the idea less unappealing.

The last class he taught in the academy for Heimerdinger had been a nightmare of bored faces and backhanded snickers. He had firmly denied any further teaching requests from his mentor after that. Though the children he was teaching were going to be younger and of a different caliber than those in Piltover, he still wasn’t very excited about it.

Viktor woke on Monday morning to the faint clatter of dishes and movement in the kitchen. The door to their bedroom was cracked open just enough that the sound woke him. Jayce seemed to be an early riser. In their past life, when things were still simple, Viktor tended to sleep in late when his hours were his own. He was always a night owl, and if he knew he had to be up early, he might just…not go to sleep. Jayce was always for structure. He was at the lab early and left to go home at a reasonable time.

Viktor groaned softly as he pushed himself upright with one hand while the other reached for the half-full glass of water Jayce had placed on his nightstand the night before. The mornings were the hardest. His chest ached, but it was… manageable. He could understand his counterpart's desire to be pain-free. His counterpart chose that persistent nausea from those drugs over feeling this way…just as Viktor would have chosen the Hexcore.

He gave Jayce a lot of blame when he first woke from his death sleep…but Viktor would have done it. He knows that if he had been conscious at all he would have accepted his transformation by the Hexcore no matter what it had done to Sky. He just hadn’t been awake to make that choice and thus…could redirect the blame to the man who was. As if he could blame Jayce for loving him, needing him, moving heaven and earth to keep him alive and accepting anything he would have become.

He felt like in this new life Jayce gave Viktor a lot of forgiveness he possibly didn’t deserve. Smoothed over the edges of what Viktor had done and took too much of the burden onto his own shoulders. He would have to remind Jayce that they could bare it together.

He wouldn’t be surprised if Jayce was gearing up to bring him breakfast in bed again. He’d done it yesterday, face split with that boyish grin of his. Viktor hadn’t had the heart to tell him he didn’t particularly enjoy eating in the mornings. He wasn’t sure if he loved the attention or hated it, but the idea of not letting Jayce have his moment seemed equally distasteful. Jayce seemed to get great joy from it, and he was sure if he told Jayce that he didn’t want to eat the other man would transform into a Mother Hen and Viktor would never hear the end of it…or at least he would just find himself being fed at all hours of the day.

Maybe that was why Jayce’s counterpart always seemed to ask about dinner in their texts. Dinner and apologies.

Slowly, Viktor pulled himself out of bed and gingerly made his way to the bathroom without his cane. He ignored his protesting muscles as he stumbled to the shower, opened the glass door and used the bars to stabilize himself as he turned on the water. Steam quickly fogged the glass. He tested the water with his hand, adjusting the temperature until it was just short of scalding. Then he stepped beneath the spray, bracing his hands against the bars as the water cascaded over him. The water pinkened his skin, the heat seeping into his bones, and easing some of the stiffness out of his muscles. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift, lulled by the patter of water on tile.

His general aching had increased since stopping the experimental medication which was odd. Viktor wondered if there was some sort of pain-reducing agent in them. He could see why his alternate may have chosen to trade constant nausea with general painlessness. After spending time pain free all this did was make him appreciate being in a real human body. Viktor was sure that with time he would make it back to that place of wanting the pain to stop, being willing to trade almost anything to feel ‘ok’ for a moment, but it would be years away yet.

“Mind if I join you?”

Viktor startled, his eyes snapping open. He turned to see Jayce leaning casually against the doorway, wearing only a loose pair of sweatpants that hung low on his hips, the strings loose and dangling. His broad chest and shoulders were on full display. Viktor blinked, feeling that familiar warmth bloom in his chest—and elsewhere.

“What are you waiting for?” Viktor replied, arching a brow as he swept wet strands of hair out of his face.

Jayce’s face split in his boyish grin, his little sharp K-9s peeking out, as he hooked his thumbs under the waistband of his pants and let them fall. He kicked them aside as he opened the glass door and stepped in. Viktor let his eyes wander, lingering shamelessly on the expanse of Jayce’s body—the firm chest, the solid musculature of his arms, the faint curve of his stomach, and the way his cock twitched to life under Viktor’s attention hanging heavy between his legs.

Jayce crowded him without hesitation, his big hands settling first on Viktor’s hips, then sliding up his waist and lower back to press them together. The water was rerouted, streaming down the breadth of Jayce’s shoulders, running in rivulets over the defined lines of his chest.

“Damn, you have the water hot in here,” Jayce said as he dipped his head to nibble at Viktor’s ear and reached out one arm to adjust the heat to something he found more manageable. Then returned his hand to squeeze Viktor’s ass, groaning into Viktor’s neck as he mouthed at the skin. Then moving that hand back to Viktor’s waist.

“Don’t we have to go to work today?” Viktor asked, though he made no attempt to move away. His voice came out rough as he ran his hands over Jayce’s firm abdomen and up to Jayce’s chest.

“You don’t need to leave until 9:30,” Jayce murmured, his lips brushing against Viktor’s temple. “My first meeting’s with Cassandra at 9. I’ve gotta be out by 8:30.”

“Mmmm.” Viktor hummed, pressing kisses to Jayce’s chest, his lips catching water droplets with his tongue as they traced a slow path downward. “And what time is it now?”

“It’s 7,” Jayce answered, his voice tight as Viktor’s fingers skimmed across his pecs, squeezing the firm muscles then pinching at his nipples.

Jayce groaned when Viktor bit gently at his nipple, the sound vibrating through both of them. His hands slid lower, gripping Viktor’s ass, his fingers digging in as his cock hardened against Viktor’s belly.

“Is that enough time?” Viktor asked, his voice a low purr as he dragged his teeth over Jayce’s skin.

Jayce didn’t answer—at least not with words. With a growl, he shifted his stance, squatting slightly for leverage before slipping his hands beneath Viktor’s thighs and lifting him effortlessly. Viktor let out a surprised gasp as his back hit the cool tile of the back wall. Jayce pressed in close, nuzzling into his neck, teeth scraping gently at the sensitive skin.

Viktor bit back a moan, his arms winding around Jayce’s neck. There was something intoxicating about being handled like this—about Jayce’s strength and how effortlessly he used it. It wasn’t something Viktor would have allowed before. He wondered if they had gotten together in their youth, when they first started Hextech if he would have given Jayce this kind of free reign to manhandle him around. He didn’t think he would have.

“Is the lube still in here?” Jayce asked, his voice muffled against Viktor’s skin as he kissed and licked his way across his shoulder and collarbone. His hands flexed, keeping Viktor pinned in place.

“Yes,” Viktor breathed, his own cock hard and aching between their bodies. “It should be by my—”

Jayce was already moving, still holding Viktor aloft as he carried him the short distance across the shower. Viktor gripped his shoulders tightly, trying not to let the absurdity of being hoisted around like a sack of flour break through his arousal. Jayce dug through the collection of bottles on the shelf before triumphantly holding up the lube.

He grinned as he turned back to Viktor, pressing him against the wall again, their bodies sliding slickly against each other under the spray. “Found it.”

Viktor let out a breathless laugh, his legs wrapping tighter around Jayce’s waist. “Then what are you waiting for, darling?”

--------------

Viktor sat at the kitchen bar, leisurely eating the breakfast Jayce had lovingly prepared for him. A warm slice of take-and-bake bread sat alongside a mushroom and feta omelet and the last few sausages from their fridge. The meal was slightly cold, but Viktor didn’t mind, the reason it was cold still fresh. He would eat all his meals cold if getting railed against the wall in the shower was the culprit. It was 8:15, and Viktor could hear the muffled sounds of Jayce moving around the bedroom, getting ready to head out to his office and spend the day in that horrible grey hell.

The soft sound of the front door opening startled him. Viktor turned quickly, his gaze locking onto an older woman entering the apartment with a cart loaded with groceries and a large duffle bag. She moved with confidence, not hesitating as she maneuvered through the space. When Viktor noticed the set of keys in her hand, he forced himself to remain calm, reasoning that this must be a normal occurrence.

“Hello?” Viktor asked cautiously, trying not to betray his confusion.

The woman looked up from her cart, her wrinkled face softening into a fond, familiar smile.

"Ah, boy, I see you are being lazy this morning. That is good. You are feeling well? You are going to work today?" she asked in Czech, her voice brisk but affectionate.

The words landed effortlessly in Viktor’s mind, the language feeling natural to him. The longer he was here the more comfortable he was with it, as if it truly was his first language and not Zaunite.

"Yes, I’ll leave in an hour or so," Viktor replied, his Czech just as smooth. He rose from the stool, gesturing toward her cart. "Do you need help?"

She waved him off dismissively, her voice laced with exasperation.

"Eat that food your good husband made. You’re too skinny."

She moved to the kitchen and began unloading the groceries into the fridge and pantry, the efficiency of her movements betraying years of familiarity. Without missing a beat, she added, "Has your man made me his list for next week?"

Viktor hesitated, unsure on how to navigate this. This was obviously a routine that they had for a long time and not knowing this information would be suspicious. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the sound of Jayce’s voice came from across the apartment.

“Okay, V, I think I gotta head out—uh, what’s…?” Jayce trailed off as he emerged from the bedroom. He looked immaculate like he always used to when going to official meetings back in Piltover. The suit he chose was a chocolate brown with a dark blue shirt and matching deep blue tie. His hair was styled with a little curling bit that fell on his forehead. He cleaned up his beard a little bit. He looked impossibly handsome.

“Darling,” Viktor said, recovering quickly, “do you have the list for groceries for next week?”

The older woman disappeared into the pantry and reappeared moments later with a notepad in hand. "Is this all?" she asked in heavily accented English, holding the list up for Jayce to see.

Jayce crossed the room, his initial surprise melting into a sheepish grin as he scanned the notepad. “Oh, yeah, that looks good,” he said, his eyes flicking between Viktor and the woman silently accepting her presence as part of their lives. He made a small shrug and Viktor had to hide his smile behind his hand.

Jayce made his way to Viktor, his hand finding the small of Viktor’s back as he leaned down to press a lingering kiss to his cheek.

“You look so good in that robe,” Jayce murmured, his lips still pressed against Viktor’s skin. “I want to just take you back to the room and say, ‘fuck it’ to going into this stupid job.”

“Contain yourself,” Viktor replied, his voice dry but amused. He tilted his head toward the older woman. “Not in front of babička.”

The word fell from Viktor’s lips without thought, as if he had been using it for years. He didn’t know how he knew this was what he called her, but the familiarity settled naturally. He felt the longer he was here the more he just…seemed to know things. He knew it should concern him, that it was probably a sign that the absorption was happening on a far faster basis than he was initially anticipating but there wasn’t anything they could do about it. Viktor had another hypothesis. That Jinx’s quantum teleportation might be the answer to how they would return these bodies to their rightful owners but he also wasn’t sure if that was what he and Jayce wanted to do yet.

Jayce chuckled, pressing another kiss to Viktor’s cheek before pulling back. “I can’t help myself.” He straightened, “Alright, I’m out. My last meeting for the day is at 3 p.m.—at least according to the calendar on my phone. Then I’ll just come home.”

Viktor smirked, he was enjoying this easy domesticity between them, “Alright, darling. Will you be texting me about dinner?”

Jayce’s laugh echoed through the room as he moved toward the door to put on his shoes. “Maybe I’ll just surprise you!”

The older woman finished stocking the fridge while they had been distracted with each other. She opened her duffle bag on the island counter, pulling out an assortment of cleaning supplies. Viktor finished the last bite of his omelet and rose from the bar stool, making his way around the island and intending to rinse his plate in the sink.

Before he could, the woman snapped her fingers at him, waving him off.

"How many times? When I am here, you do not do anything. Go get yourself ready for your day, child," she said in Czech, her voice firm but kind.

Viktor huffed, amused. "I will not argue if you want to clean my dishes."

She snorted, waving a dishrag at him. "Sure, sure. Yet every time, you try me!"

A quiet laugh escaped Viktor, and he raised his hands in surrender before stepping back from the sink. He was about to make his way across the living room back into the bedroom but then a thought that had been sleeping in the back of his mind woke up.

This was the first time he would be without Jayce in the apartment for a few days. The last time he was alone, he hadn’t allowed himself to further investigate the locked drawer in his study, it had been too much of a hassle and he had known whatever was hidden in there had the possibility of ruining his evening. But now, the urge was unignorable—a pull deep in his chest, demanding and inescapable.

It was like he was being guided by a phantom hand, and he allowed the feeling to take over. As if in a trance he entered the hallway. When he reached the door, he hesitated, all he could hear was his own blood rushing in his ears. He pushed the door open and slipped inside, closing it softly behind him as if afraid of being overheard. He leaned against the door for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the room until it finally landed on the desk in the center.

Viktor cautiously went to it. Slow like each step could set off a trap. When he reached it, he went around and staired at the drawer. He knew that whatever was hidden there was important and possibly devastating. He took a breath and again let the phantom hand take over.

He knelt by the drawer. His hand reached out and began pressing against the underside of the desk. His fingers gliding along the smooth wood until they found something taped there.

A key.

Peeling the key free, Viktor held it in his palm and studied it like it was a coiled viper. The tiny object felt heavier than it should. For a moment, he considered walking away. He could still leave it locked, preserve the fragile peace he and Jayce had found in this life, but the pull was too strong. His body ached with the need to open the drawer, as though ignoring it would cause pain.

With a steadying breath, he slid the key into the lock. It turned smoothly. The click of the mechanism releasing was deafening in the tension filling the room.

Viktor hesitated again with his hand hovering over the handle. He opened the drawer slowly, as if something might pour out of it and strangle him. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound loud enough to drown out the creak of the drawer sliding open.

Nothing happened.

Inside there was only a single manila folder.

Viktor reached for it with trembling fingers. He lifted it out as if it might disintegrate under his touch. Inside lay a stack of neatly bound documents. Viktor’s eyes scanned the bold heading:

"Petition for Divorce"

His heart didn’t lurch. It didn’t twist or seize in his chest. It was as if his body went cold, the feeling rolling over him and passing through without much to say for it. He let his eyes flick over to the stated reason: Infidelity.

It was curious how once he knew for sure how all the anxiety bled away. So, this Jayce sought comfort from someone else when he wasn’t finding it within Viktor. That is the last missing thread in the tapestry of this life. First it was the weapons, then it was the sickness, then it was an affair. He knew deep in his bones that this was why they were here.

This was the answer. This was why his counterpart…asked for this. He couldn’t remember the dreams, not fully, but he was certain that this had been by design. That the version of him that resided in this life had called out and that call had been answered.

So many things had gone so wrong, and this Viktor’s soul must have been screaming out for help-begging for assistance to fix the mess that was made. This world may not be magic but there was a version of himself that was traversing the cosmos, visiting worlds and changing fates.

The papers were freshly drawn, barely two weeks old from the day they appeared.

He sat back onto his heels, holding the divorce papers loosely in his hand. Viktor’s lips curved slightly, though it was too tired to be called a smile. More of an acknowledgment. Viktor had almost expected that jealous beast to rise inside himself. The creature that drove him insane. He flipped farther through the documents and found the last nail in the coffin. The last brushstroke that created the final picture. Mel Medarda. A photo of her and Jayce entering what looked like a hotel room, in fact.

But no beast rose within him. No rage filled his veins. It was all quiet because…this wasn’t his Jayce. The man in that photo, the body that his Jayce now inhabitied….it wasn’t his Jayce. This was just a different form of him living out a version of events that, while different, mirrored their own. It was a different time frame, it was different circumstances, but it was a mirror and Viktor could not be angry at it. How could he when he did such awful things in their own world. When versions of himself had succeeded in those horrible things in others.

Jayce and he were destined to orbit each other like binary stars and in doing so they would hurt each other in new and exciting ways.

Viktor traced the edge of the paper with a finger. For a moment, he considered calling Jayce, warning him about what he had found. It was entirely possible that Mel had intended to see him or discuss their relationship the day they had gone to the office together. But perhaps Viktor wasn’t without a trace of wrath as he toyed with the idea of leaving Jayce to discover this revelation on his own.

That thought was irrational, and he knew it. He had no desire to test Jayce in such a cruel way.

With a soft sigh, Viktor stood, setting the paperwork on the desk without bothering to close the drawer. He felt like a ghost. He did make sure to close the study door as he left. He would show Jayce when they were both home later and they could make their decisions on it from there. There was no doubt in his mind that Jayce would feel…guilt for this.

It would be better to approach this together than to let the man find out on his own, but Viktor also needed to process it. He was sure that Jayce could manage the day without discovering it. That didn’t stop the strange, floating sensation that lingered as Viktor stepped away from the study.

As Viktor passed through the kitchen, he nodded to the older woman, who was singing softly as she cleaned the counter. “Please leave my study as it is. I have closed the door.”

“I know, I know,” she replied with a dismissive wave, a fond smile on her lips. “I never go into your little laboratories.”

Viktor went into the bedroom to start getting ready for the day. As he put on his back brace and picked out his outfit, he couldn’t help but think of Jayce fucking him against the wall in the shower that morning, about spending the day yesterday together, about how he knew, without a doubt, that Jayce loved him. Completely and almost unconditionally. The man he knew loved him desperately, and there was nothing for Viktor to be jealous of. There wasn’t even anything to be angry about.

Had Jayce not showered him with affection? Had he not waxed on about how beautiful he was? Jayce was open and generous with his affection, but that didn’t mean he gave it out to just anyone. Jayce wouldn’t say any of the things he now said daily if he didn’t mean them.

So, no… Viktor wasn’t angry. But he was numb. Numb to everything as he finished dressing. He strapped on his leg brace and grabbed his cane, then moved through the apartment as if he were gliding.

He felt like a phantom—transparent and haunting.

--------------

Jayce arrived with ten minutes to spare before he needed to see Mrs. Kiramman. Heads barely turned. His arrival went largely unnoticed unlike when he walked in here with Viktor the other day. No one seemed to care about him alone, he was normal, a part of the office itself. A feature.

“Morning, Jayce,” Meg greeted as he came to her desk. She wore a sharp yellow blazer, with a bright pink form fitting dress, “You’re right on time, your meeting doesn’t start for a few minutes.”

 “Yeah, figured I’d get a head start. What’s the run-down for today?”

Meg pulled up his schedule on the large viewscreen on her desk, “You’ve got Cassandra at nine—after that, Mel insisted on a meeting in your office, and then you’re meeting with Takashi at 10:30.”

Jayce tensed at the mention of Mel, every time her name was mentioned it made his head throb. “Mel’s after Cassandra?”

Meg shot him a cautious look but didn’t comment. “She said it was urgent, so I just added her to the down time between Mrs. Kiramman and Takashi.”

Before Jayce could respond, the air shifted. He smelled her before he heard her. That familiar scent that was somehow just the same as her alternate self in his own universe. The pain in his head doubled, splitting down the middle. Almost enough to make his eyes water.

“Jayce.”

Mel.

She appeared as if summoned, her presence as commanding as always. Dressed impeccably. She was wearing a purple long-sleeved dress, her gold earrings caught the light as she tilted her head, assessing him. Jayce’s throat went dry, a cold prickle crawling up the back of his neck. His head’s throbbing making it hard to look at her.

Her voice was calm but edged with annoyance. “Can we talk?”

“I’m on my way to—”

“It won’t take long,” she said, cutting him off, her voice softening slightly as she moved closer. “Jayce, I know you don’t want to see me right now, but we need to talk about Noxus.”

The pain was becoming unbearable, and he turned away, one hand coming up to pinch at the bridge of his nose.

Mel’s voice behind him, “Jayce… are you all, right?”

Her concern twisted like a knife in his gut. Images flashed suddenly, vivid and unbidden—Mel’s hands on him, her breath against his ear, his lips pressed to her shoulder in the dark. Jayce froze, his heart slamming in his chest as the memories assaulted him.

He staggered back half a step.

“Maybe we need to just do this, then,” Mel continued quietly, not noticing his reaction, or choosing to ignore it. “Get it out in the open so we can deal with more pressing matters. It doesn’t have to be like this, Jayce. I understand you feel like… our relationship was a mistake.”

Her words were like echoes underwater. Muffled and distant. The pain in his head was pounding like a drum. The flashes came again—Mel’s face tilted toward his, the low light casting shadows on her bare back, the sound of laughter and something heavy in his chest, like guilt.

“Jayce?”

He blinked and found Mel watching him closely, concern now etched into her face. He forced a breath, swallowing hard. “I—I need to go,” he managed hoarsely, brushing past her before she could stop him. He didn’t care how abrupt it was. He needed to get out of there.

Meg appeared at his side, “Do you…want me to walk with you to Mrs. Kirammen’s office?"

“Yes, please.” The further away from Mel he got the less his head hurt. It was like the moment he left her side everything was going back to normal.

They made their way out of the Talis Tech office across the symmetrical hall into the Law Firm across the way. He didn’t know how he had missed the Kiramman name. The passed a very similar layout though it seemed far livelier, people dashing around with their arm’s full of documents and pacing back and forth on their phones.

Cassandra looked up as Jayce stepped into her office, her eyes swept over him—assessing him instantly. She gestured to the seat across from her desk. “Take a seat, Jayce. I trust you’re feeling better? Caitlyn mentioned you seemed fine over the weekend, so I assume the episode during the investors’ meeting was just a one-off?”

Jayce rubbed the back of his neck, trying to force himself into the present moment. “Yeah… I don’t know what happened there,” he muttered, his voice betraying him. He didn’t feel ready to navigate this day, not after what just happened.

Cassandra tilted her head but didn’t push further. She shifted gears, “On the main purpose of this meeting—Jayce, we come together at least once a year for me to tell you the same thing every time. There isn’t much we can do about the weapons contract.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed. This wasn’t what he was expecting but it was a pleasant surprise because it was exactly what he wanted to talk about, “There’s no loophole?”

Cassandra sighed, folding her hands atop her desk. “It’s the initial agreement, Jayce. The one you let Mel Medarda convince you to sign—without my involvement, I might add. That agreement tied your hands. And mine. The contract runs for ten years, and Talis Tech became a subsidiary of the Noxus Corporation when you signed. That’s what secured the thirty-million-dollar loan and allowed you to climb out of the red.”

Jayce exhaled slowly, his shoulders slumping. That sounded worse than he could have imagined. That is also what Mel was trying to talk about…Noxus…wasn’t a country here but a weapons company.

“You were only twenty-five,” Cassandra continued, her voice softening slightly. “I know this has been haunting you. And I know Viktor… well, I’m sure he’s not been making it easy.”

The mention of Viktor sent a jolt through Jayce, though he didn’t respond.

“The truth is negotiations reopen in three years. That’s the earliest opportunity we’ll have to redirect the company’s focus. Until then, there’s nothing we can do—at least not without losing everything.”

Jayce’s voice was tight. “There’s no other way?”

Cassandra shook her head. “Jayce, you put your mother’s house, your apartment, and the business itself up as collateral. This wasn’t just a loan—it was a takeover. And Noxus’ game is weapons. They’re not going to release you willingly.”

Jayce sat back, trying to absorb the weight of her words.

“The only way to get out of this contract entirely,” Cassandra continued, “would be to pay off the loan in full—early. A lump sum of nearly 10 million with that 2% early payoff penalty would bring us back to the negotiating table. But even then, it’s risky. You’d need Mel Medarda’s cooperation.”

Jayce’s jaw tightened at the mention of her name. The drumming—drumming—drumming pounding in his head had subsided but it wasn’t gone entirely and every mention of her or Noxus was reawakening it.

“She owns 30% of this company. By proxy, that means Noxus controls nearly a third of Talis Tech. Viktor’s shares—well, when he transferred his ownership to you when he left—are the only reason you retain the majority at 52%. The rest? It’s split between Alex and the other smaller investors.”

“And if I walked away?” Jayce asked, his voice strained.

“You could sell your shares. Walk away with a few dozen mil—but you’d lose all of your patents, all your research. That’s what Viktor did. He sold his share and made sure his work was destroyed. Because, unlike you, Jayce, he didn’t know what his research was contributing to. He could have sued you into the ground on that basis and he would have won.”

Cassandra’s words struck harder than they should have. Jayce swallowed thickly. The agreement with Viktor’s counterpart, the text. It hadn’t just been a clause to continue their marriage but also a way to keep the company standing.

She leaned back in her chair, her gaze steady. “So, I’ll ask you this. Are you willing to let someone else take your dream to clear your conscience? Or can you find it in yourself to be patient?”

Jayce’s head spun. “And in three years?”

“In three years, we cease all weapons innovations, close that lab, and stop developing new designs. We’ll continue to sell what’s already been created, of course. That revenue will allow us to fund the prosthetics. But you know what that means, Jayce.”

Jayce nodded faintly. “We’ll need other sources of funding.”

“Exactly.”

There was a lull in the conversation. Jayce tried to focus on Cassandra’s words, but his mind spiraled into a tangled mess. He couldn’t believe that his counterpart signed a document that would lock him into such a predicament. Did the man even read it? Why would Mel give him something that would put him in this position. Noxus…. was Mel’s mother involved in this somehow?

Cassandra broke the silence, her voice cutting through his thoughts. “Beatrice informed me that Viktor came into the lab the other day?”

Jayce blinked, startled. “Uh… yes.”

Cassandra heaved an exasperated sigh. “Jayce, how many times do I have to tell you? Viktor cannot step foot in this building without my approval. You know the terms—you signed them.”

“What?” Jayce’s voice rose with confusion. “Why?”

“We signed documents legally binding us to purge all research connected to Viktor—past, present, and future. And in response, we made him sign a separate agreement stating he could not enter this building for any reason related to the business. If he’s consulting—even unofficially—that puts us at risk.”

“He just… it wasn’t like that,” Jayce tried to explain, though his voice faltered.

Cassandra raised an eyebrow. “Jayce, I love Viktor. You know that. But you also know how close he came to burning this company to the ground five years ago. If there’s even a whisper that he’s contributed to something without consent—without a signed contractor agreement—it could be catastrophic.”

Jayce stared at her, unable to respond. His mind was a maelstrom of dread. What had his counterpart done. This was such a tangled mess he had no idea how he was going to right this wrong.

Cassandra studied him for a moment, “I don’t often speak on personal matters, but… how is Viktor? How are you both, really?”

Jayce hesitated. The truth caught somewhere in his throat. He didn’t know how to say how they were. He and Viktor were solid because they weren’t the Jayce and Viktor of this world, yet he was devastated because he wanted to stay here…and to stay here he had to clean up the mess that his counterpart had made of everything so…not great. “We’re good. Out of everything, he and I… we’re good.”

Cassandra nodded, though her expression remained carefully neutral. “Good. Shall I draw up some documents for him to sign, then? A contractor agreement and a waiver form to cover his consultation?”

“Yes,” Jayce said quietly.

“Good,” she replied, flipping open a sleek leather planner. After a moment, she added bluntly, “You do realize there’s a clause in your prenup nullifying it in the case of infidelity?”

Jayce froze. “What do you mean?”

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed, “Are you—or were you—not having an affair with Mel Medarda?”

The question hit him like a slap. He stared at her, stunned, his pulse thundering in his ears. “I… I—”

Head pounding—screaming—tearing—rending—

Cassandra didn’t let him finish. “I don’t claim to understand what you’re going through, Jayce. But I will say this: Do not betray that man again. Or at the very least, don’t let him find out until he’s signed these documents. Frankly, I’m shocked he didn’t draw up a post-nup during that whole fiasco.”

In that moment the dream came back to him, this body—this mirror-self saying something, and he knew that Viktor had tried but Jayce had refused…had let Viktor think he’d fight for the original prenuptial agreement if they divorced. Monster—monster—monster—

She gathered her things briskly, signaling the end of the meeting. “I’ll start working on the agreements. You should get some air, Jayce. You look like you need it.”

Jayce stood, barely managing a nod before leaving the room. His heart hammered against his ribs as he made his way back to his office.

Jayce made it back to his office on unsteady legs, his mind was a storm. He barely registered Meg as he passed her desk. “Mr. Talis—Jayce? Everything alright?” she asked, concern clear in her voice.

He waved her off without a word, pushing the door open and letting it close heavily behind him. His office felt too quiet, too still. The weight of Cassandra’s words pressed on him.

The only word pulsing through his mind—Affair—affair—affair—

She had said it so plainly, so matter-of-factly, like it was an established truth. Like it wasn’t the ground splitting open beneath his feet. Jayce sat heavily at his desk. For the first time, he noticed the photos there—an array of moments he didn’t recognize with a man he was cheating on. His counterpart was cheating on. Affair—affair—affair—

He pulled his phone from his pocket and set it on the desk, staring at the sleek black device like it might bite him. For days now, he’d been avoiding this. Mel’s messages. He’d combed through everything else—emails, texts, notes—but whenever it came to her, something deep in his mind had screamed at him to stop. The pain of even thinking about it was sharp and immediate, like a thousand splinters beneath his skull.

But now? Now, he couldn’t avoid it any longer.

Jayce knew. Of course, he knew. How could he not? The memories bleeding into his consciousness weren’t his. They weren’t his actions, his choices, his life. He thought of Mel in his real life—his past life. Their relationship had been short-lived, complicated, and marred by lies. But it was also genuine in its way, a fleeting connection made during impossible circumstances.

This? This was different. The Jayce of this world had already found the love of his life. Married him. Built a life with him. And yet…

How could he do this?

Jayce’s hands trembled as he picked up the phone, unlocking it with his thumb. He opened the messaging app, his pulse thundering in his ears as he tapped on the unread notifications from Mel.

The most recent messages were expected. Everything since last Tuesday was just wondering if he was okay.

Mel: Can we talk?
Mel: Are you alright?
Mel: Jayce ignoring me isn’t the answer, there are bigger things we need to talk about

He scrolled up, his dread growing with each passing moment. The rest of the messages seemed simple, almost banal. Businesslike texts dominated the thread. Discussions of meetings, funding, and projections. It was deceiving because the closer he looked he noticed a pattern—interspersed among the professional texts were… Times. Places. Brief confirmations that seemed innocuous until you saw them repeated over weeks.

Mel: 8 at the usual place?
Jayce: See you there.

Mel: Tomorrow, after the board meeting. 5.
Jayce: I’ll be there.

No context. No explanations. Just pieces of a puzzle Jayce was too afraid to complete. He scrolled further, his stomach churning.

Then he found it—a conversation from two months ago that felt like a knife in the chest.

Mel: Last night was something I’ve been wanting for a while. I hope you don’t feel like it was a mistake.
Jayce: I’m sorry. I just need time to figure out how to handle this.

Mel: Lets meet and talk. The Hilton on 4^th. Let’s say at 4 after Miltech.

Jayce: Alright.

Jayce’s fingers tightened around the phone as he set it down on the desk, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. His head dropped into his hands, and for a moment, the noise in his mind roared too loud for him to think.

This was real.

It had happened.

The Jayce of this world—his counterpart—had done this. Betrayed Viktor. Betrayed everything they had built together. And now, Jayce was sitting in the ruins, trying to reconcile himself with a truth that wasn’t his but still felt like it might shatter him. Why did it feel like he had done this, that this was his own actions. The guilt of it was all-consuming.

He thought of Viktor, his Viktor, who had died with him. Who he had given everything up to save. Who trusted and loved him beyond everything else even if he had a hard time saying it the same way Jayce did.

What would Viktor say if he knew?

What would Viktor think?

The weight of it crushed him, and for a long moment, Jayce couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. All he could do was sit there, staring at the phone and the damning messages.

The door opened without a knock, and Jayce’s head snapped up.

Mel stepped in. She was the picture of composure yet there was a slight hesitance in her gait. Her eyes searched his face, her voice was cautious but firm. “Jayce.”

He tensed instantly. His exhaustion replaced by irrational anger. This—everything—was all her fault. “Mel.”

She stepped closer, seeming not to notice his mood. “I just want to talk.” She closed the door behind her as she made her way farther into the office. “I know everything has been, a lot but I hate this silence. I just want to go back to how things were before… all this. That…friendship we were building.”

Jayce exhaled sharply, his jaw tight. “What does that even mean?”

Mel hesitated for just a beat, choosing her words carefully. “I agree now that it was a mistake. It went too far.”

The words struck him like a physical blow. Memories filtered in like an uninvited tide. The visions that had been pounding at him since he arrived in this body finally flooding in.

They were in a dimly lit conference room, late at night. Mel sat beside him. She was wearing a white dress with long sleeves and two deep slits up the sides.

“I think that went well,” Mel said, scanning a contract, “but you seem off. What’s going on?”

Jayce had been quiet all evening, his tired hands running over his face. “It’s Viktor. You know how he’s been sick?”

Mel’s brow furrowed, her voice softening. “No… What’s going on?”

He exhaled shakily. “He’s been having trouble breathing lately. Coughing fits… He passed out after hours at his school a couple days ago. Some janitor found him. I—I didn’t even know how bad it was until the ER diagnosed him. IPF. It’s some kind of scar tissue that is building up in his lungs, there isn’t anything they can do to reverse it….it’s terminal.” His voice cracked. “He hid it from me for weeks. He didn’t tell me he was coughing up blood…”

Mel’s face softened in sympathy, and before he knew it, her arms were around him. One moment, it was comfort—warmth. The next, it was a line being crossed. It was his mouth on her neck, lifting her up onto the table. It was hands on skin, lips meeting, and a hunger that needed fulfilling. It was the rushed lifting of her dress and the undoing of his pants. It was not pausing before he entered her to put on a condom and him crying into her hair as he fucked her. It was her nails digging into his shoulders and him groaning for her not to leave any marks. It was him pulling out before he came and finishing in his hand. It was the horror after it ended. It was kissing again, and it was leaving together and going to a hotel to do it again—and again.

It was going home and finding Viktor sleeping in their bed, bloody tissues on the nightstand and it was Jayce taking a shower before joining him. The guilt clawing at his stomach and eating him alive.

Jayce’s stomach churned as he surfaced from the memory. His voice was almost a growl, “We’ve been sleeping together.”

Mel faltered, “Jayce…” She swallowed. “I understand that. I know you’ve been in a bad place since Viktor’s diagnosis, and I… misread things. I thought you were at an end for months and then...”

“You thought—”

“I thought I could wait it out,” Mel said softly, cutting him off. “That there wouldn’t be a reason for us to stop. Wouldn’t be a reason for him to know.”

The words echoed in his head.  Jayce ran a hand through his hair, unable to look at her. “You… It’s you. It’s always you.”

Mel frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”

Jayce looked up at her, his expression torn between anger and anguish. “You cloud my head. Distract me. Is it you in every universe that tears us apart?”

Mel recoiled slightly, her eyes narrowing. “That’s not fair, Jayce. You can’t blame me for this. It wasn’t just me—it was you too. It was us. I acknowledge my part, but you can’t just shovel all the blame onto me. You…we…were having an emotional affair before the sex, you can’t deny that—I know that the…physical aspects of it pushed it too far for you but you can’t just use me to feel better about yourself—your life—then turn around and blame me for everything.”

Jayce’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Why are you even here, Mel? What do you do in this office?”

She blinked at him, silent for a moment. “I… supervise my investment.”

“Me,” Jayce said flatly.

She didn’t answer.

“This is over,” Jayce said suddenly, his tone final. “All of it.”

Mel raised her hands slightly, trying to defuse him. “Jayce, I’ve been thinking about this too. I know I wasn’t receptive when you tried to call things off a week ago, but I’ve realized… I don’t want this either. The moment we introduced…sex into the equation it was like everything I enjoyed about our relationship disappeared and it was only that…the friendship that we had grown was gone and all that was left were clandestine meetings and talking about Viktor.”

“No,” Jayce said, louder now, his frustration boiling over. “I mean everything. You and me. This.” He gestured angrily around the office. Just like in his world, Hextech had been corrupted, the Jayce of this universe hadn’t wanted this. He had wanted to help people, help his own mother, “I wanted to make mobility devices, Mel. Prosthetics to help people. That’s what Viktor and I wanted. And now here I am… making weapons. Cheating on my husband.”

Mel’s voice sharpened. “Jayce, I think you need to calm down.”

Jayce ignored her, his words spilling out like venom. “How did this happen? When did this start? Why, Mel?”

 That seemed to push Mel over the edge of frustration, “I thought you understood Jayce, there is no money in prosthetics, no one is going to fund it until you have truly working units that fully connect, we use the weapons manufacturing so that you can continue your passion project on the side, that was the deal. Don’t pretend like you didn’t sign up for this fully aware, and don’t blame me for your marital problems Jayce. Viktor leaving this company had nothing to do with me bringing in large scale contracts. It’s not my fault you didn’t tell him about it for two years and it’s not my fault that he was too locked up in the lab to notice.”

“You knew,” Jayce continued, his voice trembling, memories he didn’t realize he already had surfacing. “You said what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

“Viktor wasn’t my husband,” Mel snapped, her composure cracking. “It wasn’t my responsibility to care about his opinion. You made your choices, Jayce. You had the majority shares at the time, yours was the only signature I needed.”

“Were they choices, Mel?” he shot back, his voice deadly quiet. “Or were they the only options you presented me?”

Mel looked stunned, but her face quickly hardened. “How dare you talk to me like this? Who do you think you are?”

Jayce met her glare evenly. “The owner of this company.”

“And I’m the bank,” Mel hissed.

“I’m done,” Jayce said, cutting through her words. “We’re closing the contracts. Or I’m walking away.”

“Jayce,” she tried again, her voice softening, trying to collect herself, “I know you’re upset. I understand you’re grieving. I…I understand my part in this, I do. I realize now that what we did should have remained a one-time event, that I…shouldn’t have pushed it farther when you were in…well, in the state that you’re in. But you don’t have to go scorched earth on everything because of your guilt.”

Jayce fell silent, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths.

Mel hesitated, searching his face. “Does… Does Viktor know? Is that why?”

Jayce froze. The question landed like a punch. Visions flickered through his mind—the way Viktor had hugged him the first night after they had gone through Jayce’s phone. Viktor’s sharp analytical mind finding the solution to problems before they even happened. The way Viktor had looked at him the day they came into the office when Jayce refused to speak to Mel—how irritated he had seemed in the car after they left…headache or no.

He knew.

The text messages, the lack of affectionate responses starting…only a few weeks ago.

Both of them did.

Both his Viktor and his counterpart knew. How could they not?

His Viktor hadn’t told him.

“Yeah,” Jayce said finally, his voice hoarse. “He knows. He hasn’t said anything, but he knows.”

Mel swallowed hard, looking down. “I’m sorry, Jayce. I thought… I don’t know what I thought. That he would die. That we could…” She trailed off, unable to finish.

Jayce stared at her, his voice low and raw. “You pursued me. Knowing. Knowing.”

Mel’s eyes snapped up to his. “I pursued you? Was it only me Jayce? Is that what you’re telling yourself? That it wasn’t you who started this? I won’t deny that I wanted you. For years. I did. I do. But I wasn’t the one who started this, Jayce. Who was the one who made the first move to bridge the gap between us, who started the texting, the lunch meetings, the gym photos?”

Jayce shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. “No. I’m done here. We’re done. It’s over.”

Mel stared at him, silent and disbelieving.

Then there was a soft knock on the door and Meg peeked her head inside obviously wary to interrupt, “Jayce your 10:30 is waiting in the conference room, Alex is entertaining them.”

“Of course, I’ll leave you to it Jayce…. perhaps we can have another meeting before the day is out?” Mel maneuvered herself around Meg in the doorway and left.

Meg watched her go then looked at Jayce her face contorting and Jayce knew she had heard every word said in this office. That she knew what this version of himself had done.

“Meg, can you clear my schedule for the week…and the rest of the day after this meeting?”

Meg nodded solemnly, “Um, you have a lunch meeting with Hisoka Hara that…well can’t be rescheduled as he fly’s back to Japan tomorrow morning but everything after that I think I can push to next week…just means your going to have a nightmare-week.”

“I’m already having a nightmare, thank you, Meg.”

Meg hesitated at the door, “Do—…would you like me to sit in on your meetings again, Jayce?”

Jayce just nodded as he tried to pull himself together and Meg finally left the room pulling the door shut behind her with a soft click.

--------------

The first thing Viktor noticed as he stepped into the classroom was the overwhelming warmth of it—physically and emotionally. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, filtered by trailing ivy plants hanging in colorful macramé holders. Potted greenery lined the edges of the room, their leaves bright and healthy. All the furnishings besides the children’s lab stations seemed to be deep wood.

It was obvious that his counterpart took pride in making this space comfortable for himself and his students. Then his eyes landed on the desk.

The surface was nearly buried beneath flowers, chocolates, and little boxes tied with ribbons. Cards stood propped up between the bouquets, some of them hand-made, scrawled with colorful writing and doodles of physics equations or smiley faces.

He blinked, a strange tightness forming in his throat as he stepped closer. Above the desk, in bright, cheerful chalk spanning the entire length of the two blackboards, read:

“WELCOME BACK, MR. TALIS! WE MISSED YOU!”

Viktor set his bag down carefully, his fingers brushing over the nearest card. His students—these students—had gone out of their way for him. It was bittersweet, an unexpected pang of affection for a life he was still learning to inhabit. It seemed everywhere he went in this world he was welcomed with loving open arms.

“Well, look at you. Star of the show.”

Viktor turned to see Sky leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, a teasing grin firmly in place. She tilted her head toward the display on the desk. “The kids went all out. I think you might be their favorite teacher.”

“I suspect the chocolates are more of a bribery tactic than anything,” Viktor said lightly, though his voice still held a touch of wonder as he gestured to the flowers. “And these?”

Sky shrugged. “Some of the kids pooled their money for those. I think they missed you, Vik.”

He turned his back to the desk, his fingers curling loosely over the edge. “I hope they are not expecting me to assign less homework as repayment.”

Sky snorted. “Not likely. But you should probably take it easy, Mr. Talis.” She mimicked the chalkboard’s lettering with a grin. Her teasing softened as she added, “So… you’ve got an appointment set up with your specialist, right? Or am I going to have to nag you?”

Viktor huffed softly but couldn’t keep the small smile off his face. “Jayce made it for Thursday at four,” he replied, playing along with the script of this life. How this version of himself would respond…how he wanted to respond as himself completely, “Without my permission, I might add. He simply went and did it.”

Sky’s smile turned triumphant, her chin lifting slightly. “Thank God for Jayce. Otherwise, it would’ve never happened.”

Viktor hummed in response, eyes drifting to the plants swaying in the sunlight. “I stopped the experimental medication,” he said abruptly. “I was going to stop all of it… but Jayce insisted I stick with the standard treatment.”

He didn’t know why he felt the need to tell someone else besides Jayce. To be open to someone who wasn’t the love of his life. Someone outside of his little bubble. It is what he thought this version of himself would do because this version of himself did. This Viktor had a group of friends outside of the lab, outside of Jayce. This version of himself socialized and befriended his Sky instead of ignoring her.

There was a beat before Sky replied. Her voice was quieter now, “That man loves you so fucking much.” She shook her head, her grin returning with a faint edge of envy. “It’s not fair. Why can’t you share some of that devotion with the rest of us?”

Viktor looked at her thoughtfully, his chest growing tight with a feeling he hadn’t entirely named yet. Sky had a way of being open and casual in her friendship—something Viktor had never experienced outside of Jayce. He needed that right now. Needed someone to talk to, even if he wasn’t quite sure what to say. Even if he didn’t know how he was feeling. The numbness from this morning was still lingering. It hadn’t completely melted away yet even after the thrilling experience of riding his bike again. Even after seeing all the love these children had for him.

So, he said it, bluntly.

“Jayce had an affair.”

Sky blinked. The teasing on her face dropped in an instant, replaced by open, stunned concern. “What?”

Viktor straightened slightly, his fingers tightening against the desk. He knew that it wasn’t his Jayce, he wasn’t even…really upset at the knowledge. He had had an inkling about it since they woke in this world but he still…needed to say it. He needed to talk about it because in a way he felt it did happen to him. It had happened to him in his own world—in his own life just different.

Jayce had not had an affair in their world because he and Viktor had never been in a romantic relationship, but Viktor had wanted it. Viktor had wanted it for so long, from the first night. He had buried it, refused to acknowledge it. Tried to pretend that it hadn’t been a motivator in his actions, any of his actions but that would be a lie. When Jayce had revealed his relationship with Mel to him Viktor had felt it. He had beat it down but that didn’t mean the feeling of betrayal hadn’t been there. Hadn’t been festering inside him.

Jayce would betray him thrice more. He would revive him with the Hexcore. He would shoot him through the chest with his hammer and he would reject him in that conference room and together with Mel kill his puppet.

A pain that drove him to his final evolution. A pain that Viktor was trying to let fade.

Jayce had come to him and forgiven him for his monstrosities and died with him and was here loving him the way he was…. but that didn’t mean Viktor didn’t have feelings to work through and here was his opportunity.

 “It is over now,” he added quietly, as though that might soften the impact. “But it happened.”

Sky stared at him, searching his expression. “Why… why would you tell me this now? Five minutes before your class starts?”

He exhaled a sharp breath, half a laugh, half a sigh. “Because I need to… process it,” he admitted softly. His eyes flicked toward the chalkboard, the gifts, the classroom itself—all of it evidence of a life that wasn’t entirely his, but one he was expected to carry on. One he wanted to keep. “It is complicated, and I find myself unprepared for how I feel about it.”

Sky looked stricken, “Vik…” She hesitated, clearly trying to tread carefully. “Are you… okay? I mean, you just got back, and—”

“I will be fine,” Viktor interrupted, though his voice was quiet. “I suppose I never truly dealt with certain… feelings. It is strange, to know something happened and yet feel as though it was done to you.”

Sky frowned slightly, but before she could press further, the bell rang, and the hallway erupted with noise.

Sky shook her head with a sigh, offering him a dry smile. “God, I can’t believe you dropped that bomb on me right before your class starts. We are going to talk over lunch, you owe me. I want Uber Eats delivery, something expensive.”

Viktor smiled faintly, pushing away from the desk. “Of course, we agreed it was on me.”

“Damn straight it is. Save your snark for dealing with these little gremlins.” Sky jerked her chin toward the door as students began pouring into the room.

As she left, Viktor turned to face the class with a deep breath. He knew his first class of the day was Physics 1

And when the first student teased him about the flowers on his desk—“Do you like all the gifts we got you, Mr. Talis?”—Viktor smiled.

“Yes,” he said without missing a beat. “And I expect a similar display for my next birthday.”

The class erupted in laughter, and Viktor felt it—the tiniest spark of something warm and familiar.

Perhaps this will not be so bad after all.

--------------

Sky had slipped into his class about 30 minutes before the lunch bell rang and swiped his phone telling him to meet her at her office. He let her without a fight. He was thankful that his counterpart had left him with thorough lesson plans all mapped out for the entire month of October. He had made it through Physics 1 with the juniors without many issues and now was finishing up AP Physics with the Seniors.

It was shockingly easy to get into the rhythm of teaching. The students seemed to enjoy his class and enjoy bantering with him. Many made a point to approach him with well wishes and heartfelt moments of welcoming him back. It was almost overwhelming. When the bell tolled, he went around and placed all his flowers near the windows to get light and to clear off his desk a little before meeting Sky in the nurse’s office.

“Here’s your phone, order should be here in 5, I was watching the map like a hawk.”

Viktor chuckled like he knew what she was talking about and took a seat. Even with his braces on and the pain medication he was already starting to ache after only a couple hours.

“You know I really didn’t appreciate you dropping that bomb on me this morning.” Sky gave him a look over her glasses and Viktor did feel bad.

That horrible numbness had ebbed away over the past couple of hours, and he felt more in line with his feelings of forgiveness…not that Jayce had done anything that required it. His Jayce, at least. He didn’t even hold any negative feeling for the Jayce of this world. He could even see his motivations and what possibly drove him to do what he had done.

“I did not mean to drop a bomb, Sky…” He collected his thoughts, “Just that I only got full confirmation this morning and I needed to say it out loud to someone to make it real. To be able to feel again.”

“Well, we can’t dig into it over lunch, I can barely wrap my mind around it. Drinks after schools out. I won’t take no for an answer.”

Viktor let a small smile cross his face, there was something so comforting in knowing that he had someone to talk to about these things, that he could be someone that others talk to about their own, “Yes, I’d like that.”

Their order came. Pho—which was apparently some kind of broth with noodles and different herbs and vegetables that you mixed in. Viktor and Sky set up their station in the teacher’s lounge and he found he loved all the different interesting foods this world had to offer and that Uber Eats might be his favorite thing about this world yet. Besides having Jayce, the way there were now or the friendships he now had.

Viktor had just settled into his lunch when the door to the teachers’ lounge opened, and in came Sevika and Silco. For a moment, Viktor couldn’t believe he’d forgotten who Silco was. Though the man was without his signature scar, the cold, commanding presence was unmistakable. Even in this world, he was undeniably the eye of Zaun.

Viktor had seen him a few times while he was down in the Undercity. He knew more of him than knew him, but he was still surprised at his laps of memory. It was another small thing that gave him pause…as if parts of himself were being lost the longer he spent in this world.

Sevika yanked a chair out from the table, setting her crumpled bag on the surface with a thud. She pulled out a fairly sad looking sandwich and sank into her chair, looking across at Sky with a playful scowl.

"Damn. I forgot it was lunch on Vik. Fuck you for not reminding me, Sky," she said, biting into her sandwich.

Sky rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah. Looks like you didn’t need it anyways."

Silco took his seat with far less drama. He had an actual lunch box. His sandwich was neatly packed, accompanied by a side salad. He placed a stack of lime green envelopes in front of him, then took the top one and slid it across the table to Viktor, and then another one to Sky.

Sky opened hers with an excited grin. "Oh good, I’ve been waiting to see the theme!"

Silco’s voice was low and drawling as if he was bored. "I expect everyone to stick to classic costumes. Nothing modern. No exceptions."

Viktor raised an eyebrow. Classic costumes? He didn’t exactly know what that meant, but he’d have to figure it out quickly. He glanced at the invitation. The envelope was a garish lime green and when he opened it the card inside was a bright orange with a stamped pumpkin. On the inside was a black embossed invitation. MONSTER MASH MOSTER BASH to be held on October 31^st starting at 8 p.m. at The Last Drop.

Sky was clearly excited by the theme, "I’ve always wanted to do a classic bat costume—like, from the 50s. You know, a little bodysuit with the wings and a balaclava head piece thing. I think it would be pretty cute."

Sevika paused mid-bite, giving Sky an appreciative glance. "That’s hot," she commented with a wink.

Sky rolled her eyes, but there was a smile on her face. "Sexual harassment!" she called out, laughing as she shook her head.

The laughter was contagious, and Viktor found himself chuckling along, enjoying the easy camaraderie that surrounded him.

Viktor leaned forward slightly, trying to keep up with the conversation. "Alright, so classic costumes? Any ideas for me and Jayce?" he asked, looking to Sevika for suggestions.

Sevika smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "I think you could rock a burlesque dancer," she said casually, almost too casually. "It’s classic, and... well, let’s be real, it’d be a good look on you."

Viktor almost choked on his food. "Definitely not that."

Sky slapped the table with a laugh. "You just want to see Viktor naked, don’t deny it!"

Sevika didn’t even flinch, her grin widening. "Can you blame me? He’s my type."

"Flattering. Truly." Viktor gave her a deadpan look.

Sky wasn’t done yet. "Right after you were hitting on me too?"

"I can like both. I do like both." Sevika shrugged nonchalantly.

Sky slapped at her teasingly. "What would Miguel say, huh?"

Sevika’s face contorted in a little snarl, "Who knows? We broke it off over the weekend."

Silco, who had been watching the exchange with a bemused expression, finally spoke up. "Again?"

Sevika just shrugged, unbothered. "It happens."

Sky’s brows lowered, “God you guys break up like every other month. Maybe it’s time to call it quits for real?”

Sevika shrugged, “He’ll come back. He knows where homes at.”

“Seems like he may not,” Viktor piped in.

Sky turned to Viktor and suggested, "I think you should do, like, a classic sad clown. Like a vintage mime-thing. I think it would really suit you."

Viktor blinked at the idea, unsure whether to be offended or intrigued. "Sad clown?" he repeated.

Sky pulled out her phone and started swiping away before turning it to him for him to see. The pictures on her phone were all of different black and white clowns, some with glittery and elaborate full body suits and others with poofy suits that ballooned out, “You could do the black and white and Jayce could be a colorful one!”

She pulled up another image of an old-timey circus mime, painted face, exaggerated frown. He studied the picture for a moment before nodding slowly. "Actually, I like it." He wasn’t sure about Jayce being a clown. The image was too amusing to really conceptualize in real life, “Not sure if I would want Jayce to be a clown, though.”

“You could do a whole circus thing,” Sky suggested, “I think he would make a good strong man, or ringleader or something like that.”

Sevika leaned in, her eyes gleaming. "Damn, yeah, that does suit you. But if you’re going for it, you have to go all out—leotard, or maybe tiny shorts."

Viktor recoiled. "No tiny shorts."

Sevika pouted dramatically, though the playful glint never left her eyes. "Why must you punish me?"

Viktor snorted, “You don’t want to see me in tiny shorts.”

“Hell, yeah I do, my preference would be a tiny little burlesque costume with feathers and nipple tassels.”

Viktor couldn’t help the laugh that sprung out of his throat at the suggestion. He had been to a burlesque show or two in his time in his past life and he couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to see him wearing an outfit like that.

Silco, who had been quietly watching the exchange, spoke up dryly. "At least a clown would be something recognizable this year."

Sevika shot him a playful glare, "Some friend you are, why can’t you back me on the burlesque thing?”

“I just know that I have heard enough about Viktor’s nipple mole from his husband getting drunk at my bar and I don’t have any desire to see if for confirmation.”

--------------

The last bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Viktor’s final class had been AP Chemistry, a more hands-on subject compared to the Physics he had grown accustomed to. Chemistry was a little more difficult to pick up, but it was close enough to what he knew from his past life that he was able to manage. It wasn’t the kind of subject that felt completely foreign, but it definitely kept him on his toes.

After gathering his things, Viktor made his way to Sky’s office to meet her as promised.

When he arrived, Sky was standing by her desk, looking through some papers. Without even looking up, she spoke.

“Okay, let’s head out. You wanna ride with me or are you gonna take your bike?”

Viktor tipped his head side to side, his expression both reluctant and amused. “Eh, I probably shouldn’t ride my bike after drinking, so your car it is,” he replied.

Sky raised an eyebrow, giving him a skeptical look. “Are you sure? Will you need a ride in the morning?”

Viktor shook his head, a slight smile forming. “Oh yeah. Jayce will just drop me off tomorrow morning.”

Sky didn’t press the issue. “Okay, whatever. Let’s go.”

They headed to the parking lot, where Sky’s car sat waiting. It was a modest little rounded vehicle, a bright yellow that looked as cheerful and unassuming as Sky herself. Viktor climbed into the passenger side, settling in comfortably as she started the engine and pulled out.

The silence between them stretched for a while before Sky broke it, her voice soft but direct.

“So, what’s the situation?”

Viktor hesitated, his thoughts flickering between his feelings for Jayce and the persona he had to adopt in this world. He gave a basic answer, focusing on the aspects of this life that felt the most relevant to the situation at hand. He would figure out how to fit his real feeling in.

“I drew up divorce papers about two and a half weeks ago,” he said. His voice was even, he shockingly still didn’t feel anything about the divorce itself…or the idea that his counterpart was going to. If anything, those papers hiding in that locked drawer and his and Jayce’s presence here made him think that his counterpart wanted to find solutions that wouldn’t end that way.

Sky’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she didn’t say anything right away. Instead, she kept her eyes on the road, processing what he had just told her.

“Yeah, we—like, we’re getting to it,” Sky muttered, shaking her head. “Let’s get to this bar, Vik. I need a drink.”

The bar they arrived at was trendy, the kind of place with an extensive cocktail menu and dim lighting. They sat at a small table, Viktor stretching his leg out slightly as he settled into the seat, grateful for the space after a long day. His leg and hip were aching and he was now craving the relief his medication would bring him. Sky was already on her second cocktail, sipping it down quickly.

“How did you find out?” Sky asked, looking at Viktor with concern.

Viktor took a moment before answering, weighing his words carefully. He didn’t want to reveal too much. This wasn’t really about the affair after all. He needed to work through his unresolved feelings from his past life. Confront them and let them go.

“I just felt it,” Viktor said simply, then added, “I had him followed, got pictures.”

Sky’s eyes widened, and she hissed through her teeth. “That fucking bastard!” she whispered; her voice fierce with anger. “How could he do that to you? How could he? How long was it going on? Have you confronted him?”

Viktor leaned back, considering the timeline of what he knew about this world. He took a breath before answering.

“I believe it started right after the diagnosis,” he said, his voice calm. The more he said the more detached from the situation of this world he felt. He had already felt all the pain he could possibly feel. He had already experienced all the betrayal and if anything, the fact that his alternate and the Jayce of this life had similar betrayals only made him feel better about it all. They were destined to hurt each other and come back together. It was fate.

Sky’s eyes flared with fury. “Bastard. Fuck him. Oh my god. So, you’re getting a divorce?” She drained the last of her cocktail in one swift motion, clearly angry on his behalf.

“No,” Viktor replied, his voice firm.

Sky blinked in surprise, stunned. “Wait, what? You’re not divorcing him?”

Viktor exhaled slowly, looking down at his drink. It was something called an ‘old fashioned’ and came with a cherry that he already ate. He wished there had been more. “I feel like… I understand why it happened.” He said this more to himself than to Sky, reflecting on his own life and the overwhelming feelings of betrayal. All the things that had led to the disconnect between Jayce and himself. It had started long before Mel took Jayce to that symphony. “So many things were happening—are happening—and it’s overwhelming. Tensions are high, and Jayce… Jayce is the kind of man who needs reassurance, who needs touch. And he could not get that from me.”

Sky slammed her hand on the table in frustration. “That’s no excuse, Vik. You can’t let him get away with this because he’s stressed out, or because you’re dying, or because he needs comfort. That’s bullshit, Viktor!”

Viktor’s voice softened and his eyes were distant as he considered his words. “He is only a man, Sky. He made a mistake. I… I’ve made mistakes, too.” He shook his head slightly, trying to put his feelings into words that would make sense in this world, even if they didn’t fit perfectly. “I know the love is there. The love is what drove him into her arms in the first place. He loves me so desperately, and I love him. I just… I’m hurt in a way I can’t explain. It just feels as if…” He paused, searching for the right words. “As if I wasn’t enough—even without sex, without that part of our relationship—I wasn’t enough to satisfy him, but I could have been if he had just…sought me out… maybe if I were not—”

Sky interrupted, her voice sharp and disbelieving. “No, Vik. You are enough. You always have been. And sex… you’re fucking sick, Vik. You are fucking sick, and he couldn’t keep it in his goddamn pants for you to feel better?”

Viktor flinched at her words, not knowing how to bridge the gap between his feelings from his own life and the reality of the affair in this one. He knew how bad it looked, how different it was from the events of where he came from. Instead, he just said, “I love him, and he loves me. There is no need for you to be angry at him on my behalf. I have no plans to leave him.”

Sky’s face twisted in disbelief. “What about the divorce? How did he convince you not to go through with it if you were ready?”

Viktor took a deep breath, his voice steady as he began. “I’m going to tell you a story. In this story, there’s a little boy who feels like an outsider no matter where he goes, and yet he persists. He drags himself out of the mire, out of the pain, and makes something of himself. His body is broken and sick, but he finds a man who sees him, not for any of his imperfections, but loves him because of them. Wouldn’t it be unfair… for that boy not to give the same love in return, unconditionally?” He paused, letting the words settle in the air before continuing. “I have hurt Jayce, and he has forgiven me without question. Is it not for me to forgive him for his mistakes, too? He carries so much guilt, Sky. Guilt that isn’t his alone to bear, and I must relieve him of some of it. It’s the past now.”

“The past of two weeks ago?” Sky’s voice was incredulous, but Viktor only nodded.

“It was a temporary mistake. I was going to leave,” Viktor continued, his mind flashing back to the day he woke up after his first death. The anger had been so hot it felt cold, consuming him to the point it felt like indifference. He remembered the moment of betrayal, the hatred that swelled inside him that pushed him to take Sky’s notebook and leave, “I hated him in that moment. I hated him for what he did. But… then I missed him. I missed him desperately. And all I wanted was for him to come back to me. To be with me.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering how it felt when Jayce had come back to him, arms open and warm, saying all those beautiful things before sharing his death with him. Holding him in his arms through the end, then holding him still in the void. Coming to this world and the first thing Jayce had done upon finding him—was to hold him in his arms so tightly as if Viktor might disappear if Jayce wasn’t gripping him as tightly as possible.

“And he has. He has come back with his arms open, and he has wrapped me in them. And he asks me to forgive him, and I do. We are… We are both in pain. We haven’t been comforting each other in the ways we need, but now… now we know. We can move forward. We’re going to embrace what we have left of this life together. If I am going to die, I want to spend the rest of my life in his arms. No matter what he has done.”

Sky was silent for a long moment, taking it all in. Finally, she asked softly, “God, Vik… You want another drink?”

Viktor realized his cocktail was empty. “Yes,” he said quietly, his voice was calm but filled with emotion.

--------------

Viktor entered the apartment about an hour later. Sky had dropped him off in front of the building, and it was an interesting experience walking through the front entrance instead of the garage. There was a doorman who greeted him by name. He sat at the small chair by the door and removed his shoes. His body was aching, though it was slightly dulled by the couple of drinks he had he was ready to take his evening dose.

The place was mostly dark, the only light coming from a lamp in the living room and the light from the foyer itself. As Viktor made his way from the foyer, he saw Jayce sitting on the couch, disheveled, with his head in his hands. He hadn’t even bothered to remove his shoes. The divorce papers were spread out in front of him on the coffee table.

Viktor paused just inside the living room, his cane tapping softly against the floor as he studied Jayce. He knew Jayce was going to take this news hard. It was why he wanted to go over it together. He wondered if Jayce discovered this during his workday or if he had just decided to wonder into Viktor’s study and found the papers. It had been an oversight to leave them out the way Viktor had. He just hadn’t been thinking clearly this morning after finding them.

How long had Jayce been sitting here? How long had he been stewing over the divorce papers, letting the discovery drive him mad? By the state of dress Viktor imagined he must have been like this at least a couple hours since he got home. Jayce had said his last meeting was at 3.

Viktor spoke softly, breaking the silence, "It looks like you figured it out."

Jayce’s head jerked up at the sound of Viktor’s voice, his red-rimmed eyes meeting Viktor’s and it was devastating to see. The guilt and sorrow on his lover’s handsome face. His voice cracked as he spoke, raw and hoarse, "You knew."

Viktor set his bag aside and took a few careful steps toward the couch, "I found out this morning," he said quietly, watching Jayce’s face closely. "Before that… I suspected."

Jayce’s expression crumpled at the admission. He let out a shaky breath, his hands clenching into fists as he pressed them into his eyes. "You suspected?" he asked, voice thick with emotion.

Viktor’s voice remained calm, he had spent the last two hours working out his feelings with Sky’s patient presence and her righteous anger taking any that he might have felt, "Of course I did."

Jayce’s chest heaved as he swallowed hard, his voice breaking under the strain of his thoughts. "You were going to divorce me."

Viktor tilted his head, a faint, bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. "The other version of me was. Yes."

Jayce stared at him for a long moment. He couldn’t quite mask the hurt in his eyes. "Do you… want to leave me?"

For the first time since entering the room, Viktor’s expression softened completely. The distance between them dissolved as he moved closer. He gently threaded his fingers through Jayce’s hair as he stood before the other man, tilting Jayce’s head back to meet his eyes. Viktor’s voice was soft, "Why would I leave you, Jayce? You didn’t do this."

"But—" Jayce’s voice trembled, his hands shaking slightly as they came up to grasp at Viktor’s hips as he tried to find the right words.

Viktor cut him off gently but firmly. "It was not you."

Jayce’s voice faltered again, cracking as he whispered, "A version of me did. That doesn’t just… disappear."

Viktor shrugged lightly, his lips curling into a small, dry laugh. "And versions of me have wiped out entire worlds in the pursuit of perfection. Should we judge ourselves against all our other selves in the universe? That would drive us insane."

Jayce’s eyes searched Viktor’s face, looking for any sign of anger or resentment, but all he found was understanding. Viktor’s gaze was soft and loving as he waited, giving Jayce the space, he needed to process.

Suddenly, without warning, Jayce’s arms wrapped tightly around Viktor’s waist, pulling him closer. Viktor was caught off guard for a moment but quickly returned the embrace. Jayce buried his face against Viktor’s stomach, his body shaking with emotion. His hands clutched at Viktor’s hips hard.

Viktor ran a hand through Jayce’s hair, his voice soft. "Why are you so upset?"

Jayce’s voice was muffled by Viktor’s body, "You were sick… dying. And that version of me—he was out there with her…"

Viktor’s sigh was heavy, but he kept his fingers gently trailing down Jayce’s neck, offering what little comfort he could. "We cannot keep going over this," Viktor said quietly. "That was not you. This is us."

Jayce shook his head, "Then what do we do? What if this—what if we were brought here to stop this from happening? What if we were sent here to fix it all just to give it back to them?"

Viktor stilled, his thumb brushing over Jayce’s temple as he considered the question. His voice dropped, thoughtful. "I believe we were. I’ve been having dreams, Jayce. Dreams that feel… cosmic. Like I am speaking to him. To me. As though we are being guided."

Jayce slowly lifted his head, blinking up at Viktor. His eyes were even more red, his face was wet. "You’re having dreams like that too?"

Viktor nodded slowly, "I believe this is the purpose. To fix what went wrong. Maybe, in the end, we leave. Or… perhaps we stay." Viktor studied Jayce’s face, looking for something more. An answer for why Jayce seemed to be taking on this guilt when it wasn’t his to bear—at all. He finally broke the silence, his voice soft but insistent. "What do you need, Jayce?"

Jayce shook his head helplessly. The uncertainty morphing his face in despair. He buried himself back into Viktor’s belly. "I don’t… I don’t know."

Viktor tilted his chin upward, forcing Jayce to look into his eyes. Steady and serious. "Tell me what you need."

Jayce’s throat worked as he swallowed, his voice trembling as he whispered the words that had been building inside him. "Forgiveness."

Viktor smoothed his thumbs under Jayce’s lovely hazel eyes. His voice was quiet but firm. "You already have that."

Jayce looked like he was about to break all over again, his eyes watery with unshed tears. Viktor smiled gently, and cupped Jayce’s jaw in his hand. "What else?"

Jayce whispered it, barely audible, his voice cracking, "Touch me."

The plea was simple, raw, and honest. Viktor could feel the desperation in the words, in the trembling of Jayce’s body against his. Viktor’s heart ached at the thought of all the pain they had both been carrying. Slowly, he leaned in, closing the space between them, pressing his lips softly against Jayce’s before pulling back only slightly to look him in the eye again.

Viktor’s lips brushing against Jayce’s as he asked softly, "Is that all?"

Jayce met his eyes, his cheeks flushed, his lips parting as he exhaled shakily. The vulnerability in his eyes was intoxicating, and Viktor felt that strange heady power he did in his final evolution. As if he were the center of the universe. As if he were a god. Jayce made him feel like that. Jayce’s voice was hoarse as he spoke, like the words were clawing their way out of him.

"Punish me," Jayce whispered, the plea was raw. Desperate.

For a long moment, Viktor simply stood there, studying Jayce. There was no confusion—only understanding.  He could understand the desire for getting what he deserved. He just felt he had already been punished. Was death not punishment enough? Though they were in this new place now, perhaps it didn’t feel even to Jayce. Perhaps being placed once again in a weak dying body was enough for Viktor and Jayce did not have the same experience. He could do this for him and perhaps after Jayce would finally forgive himself for his perceived wrongs. Viktor tilted his head thoughtfully, the pulse of desire and hurt blending and twisting together in the space between them.

"Punish you?" Viktor repeated, his voice steady, he needed Jayce to be clear about what he needed.

"Yes, please," Jayce murmured, his hands shaking as they rested on Viktor’s hips, his eyes pleading.

Viktor took a slow breath, eyes narrowing slightly as he contemplated the request. There were things he could do but, in a moment, he knew exactly what would perhaps help drag Jayce out of his self-flagellation.

"Fine," Viktor said softly, pressing another soft kiss to Jayce’s tempting lips, "You will stay here. Do not move, do not speak, until I say you can. Understand?"

Jayce’s breath hitched in his chest as he nodded quickly, his eyes wide and uncertain, but trusting. "Okay."

Viktor stepped back, leaving Jayce sitting on the couch, breathless and confused, his body trembling already struggling with the command. Viktor moved to the kitchen, his cane tapping softly against the floor, the only sound in the silence of the apartment. He didn’t look back at Jayce as he reached for his medication, filling a glass of water before opening the pill divider. He took his time, feeling the tension building. He needed this moment of control, the space to gather his thoughts.

Once the task was done, Viktor walked back into the living room, trying to keep his emotions in check and his eyes off Jayce. He went to the record player, sifting through the albums. His fingers brushed over the covers, finding one he hadn’t yet played. Glass Animals. The music his alternate had enjoyed had turned out to be something Viktor appreciated too. He and Jayce had danced yesterday evening again like they did the first night and Viktor hoped it would become routine. He found he didn’t mind Jayce taking his weight, picking him up, spinning him around.

Jayce remained perfectly still on the couch. Viktor glanced at him for a moment, noting the tension in his body—the way Jayce was sitting on the edge, struggling to follow the command Viktor had given. He could see how hard it was for Jayce to remain quiet, how the weight of his own emotions seemed to be pushing against the walls Viktor had built between them. The man looked close to breaking down in tears and that wasn’t necessarily what Viktor wanted but he had his plan, and this torcher would only last a little while longer.

Viktor moved to the coffee table, where the divorce papers were still spread out. He collected them, gathering the papers into a neat pile. Jayce’s eyes were locked on him, his body shaking as he watched Viktor’s every movement, every decision, as if he might snap at any moment.

Viktor didn’t respond, didn’t acknowledge Jayce’s silent pleading, as he moved back to the kitchen. He tossed the papers into the trash, the sound of them crumpling together satisfying in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Putting an end to it and Jayce visibly stiffened from his position on the couch, his body jerking slightly as if he was about to stand or speak. Viktor saw the internal struggle—the way Jayce’s muscles twitched with the urge to act, to break the stillness.

Viktor turned to him then, his voice cold and firm as he repeated the words that were now the rule. "Sit still. Do not move. Do not speak."

Jayce’s nod was small, almost imperceptible, his eyes wide and his breath shallow as he struggled to comply. The weight of the silence pressed down on both of them, broken only by the interesting music spinning on the record player.

Viktor then crossed the apartment and disappeared into the bedroom. He went to Jayce’s nightstand and picked one of the various bottles of lube and one of the small black cock rings. They had only had the opportunity to play with the ben-wa balls and he had been anxious to explore the other toys since discovering them. Victor collected himself before he re-entered the living room with those items in hand.

Jayce’s eyes locked on him immediately. Viktor paused for a moment before returning to Jayce He was practically vibrating, his entire body coiled like a spring, trembling under the force of his own restraint. Viktor lowered himself onto the coffee table in front of him, setting the items down beside him. Put aside for now. He watched Jayce watch him.

“Strip,” Viktor ordered softly.

Jayce blinked, his throat working as he managed a choked, “What?”

Viktor suppressed a smile, trying to keep up this commanding persona but he knew Jayce could see it in his face. He could tell in the subtle relaxing of Jayce’s tensed shoulders. He cocked an eyebrow, his voice steady as he repeated, “Strip out of your clothes, Jayce.”

Jayce only hesitated for a moment, his breath quickening, before nodding shakily. “Okay,” he murmured, his hands fumbling as he reached down to untie his shoes. He removed them slowly, one by one, betraying his nerves. His socks followed, and then, standing, he shrugged out of his blazer.

Next came his shirt. Jayce untucked it, each motion intentional as though giving himself time to process, unbuttoning it from top to bottom. His chest rose and fell heavily as he slipped the fabric from his shoulders, exposing his firm muscled arms. He folded it absentmindedly before letting it fall onto the growing pile. His belt was next, followed by the soft hiss of his zipper. His pants pooled at his feet, and he stepped out of them, standing now in just his undershirt and boxer briefs.

Jayce’s breathing was ragged, uneven, as he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his briefs. With one last glance at Viktor, he pushed them down, the garment sliding from his hips to reveal the fullness of his body. His skin was flushed, his muscles taut, and his cock was already hardening under Viktor’s unwavering gaze. Jayce’s entire body was trembling.

Viktor let his gaze wander over him, taking in the raw beauty of Jayce, each inch of him a testament to strength, effort and dedication. He was magnificent. Stunning. The urge to touch was overwhelming, but Viktor held himself in check, keeping his expression impassive despite the heat thrumming in his veins.

Jayce stood before him, bare and vulnerable, his chest heaving with every shaky breath. His eyes flicked to Viktor, searching, needing.

“I am going to put this on you,” Viktor said, holding up the small black ring. His voice was soft now, almost tender, but no less commanding. “You will keep your hands to yourself. Yes?”

Jayce swallowed hard, nodding. “Yes,” he whispered.

“Good.”

Viktor leaned forward, his fingers brushing Jayce’s hip briefly before curling around the base of his cock, lifting him slightly. Jayce hissed at the contact but didn’t move, his hands clenching at his sides. Viktor worked methodically, sliding the ring down the length of him, carefully pulling it back behind Jayce’s sack. He adjusted it gently, his fingers precise and careful, the sensation drawing a soft, stuttered moan from Jayce’s lips.

Once the ring was in place, Viktor leaned back, appraising his work. Jayce was a vision, seated now at Viktor’s instruction, his body taut with need.

“You will stay seated,” Viktor instructed, his tone firm again. “You will stay still. And you will not touch me.”

Jayce nodded, his entire body trembling as he whispered, “Okay.”

Viktor stayed seated. His eyes were fixed on Jayce’s trembling body. He didn’t move, didn’t say a word at first, simply let his eyes wander over Jayce’s quivering muscles and the way his cock continued to harden, standing proud without Viktor lifting a single finger. The weight of his eyes were bearing down on the man, and Jayce shuddered under it, his breath quickening with every passing second.

Viktor crossed his legs at the ankles, deceptively casual, though his own hardening cock betrayed him. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft yet commanding. “Get yourself hard for me, my darling.”

The endearment seemed to hit Jayce like a physical blow. He let out a small, broken sound—half a sob, half a moan—as his hands twitched at his sides. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached for himself, wrapping a large trembling hand around his cock. He began moving immediately, his strokes fast and desperate. Shuttling his cock in the sleave of his fist.

“Slowly, slowly, darling,” Viktor chided, amusement slipping into his voice, “Put on a show for me.”

Jayce whimpered but obeyed, his movements slowing as he stroked himself. His thighs were pressed tightly together, his body radiated tension, and Viktor clicked his tongue softly.

“Tsk. Open your thighs,” Viktor instructed, his voice was velvet and steel. “More. I want to see everything.”

Jayce let his thighs fall open, his face burning with a mix of embarrassment and arousal. Viktor’s eyes darkened, his gaze roving over every inch of Jayce’s exposed body. His sack reddened from how the ring held it tight, his ass pressed into the couch cushions. “Good boy,” Viktor murmured. Jayce shuddered visibly, his cock twitching in his hand.

Jayce’s pace began to quicken again, his breaths coming in shallow gasps, Viktor’s voice cut through again. “Stop.”

Jayce froze instantly, his hands halting as he looked at Viktor, wide-eyed and desperate for direction. Viktor leaned forward slightly, “Play with your nipples.”

Jayce dropped himself and moved his hands hesitantly to his chest, his fingers finding his nipples and brushing over them experimentally. His breathing hitched as he circled them, pinching lightly and letting out a small, breathy moan. His toes curing into the rug. Viktor’s eyes stayed locked on him. Watching every twitch in his face, every furrow of his brow, every swipe of his tongue over his bottom lip.

“Caress your entire body for me,” Viktor ordered, his voice low. “But you are not allowed to touch your cock again. Do you understand?”

Jayce nodded, his hands traveling across his torso, tracing the hard planes of his chest and the lines of his abdomen. His movements slow and he seemed almost lost in the act for a blissful moment, his lips parting as soft sounds escaped him.

“You’re mine,” Viktor said, his voice dropping even softer, his eyes unwavering. “No one else is allowed to touch you like this.”

“Yes,” Jayce whispered, “I’m yours.”

“I am the only one who gets to touch your cock,” Viktor continued, leaning forward slightly, his eyes burning into Jayce’s.

Jayce’s voice trembled as he repeated, “You are the only one allowed to touch my cock.”

“Forever,” Viktor pressed, his voice firm and unyielding. “For the rest of our lives, I am the only one who is allowed to touch you.”

Jayce’s hands stilled. His eyes locked on Viktor’s. “Yes,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. “I never want anyone to touch me except for you.”

“You’re mine, yes?” Viktor asked again.

“Yes,” Jayce whispered, his voice trembling with need, “I’m yours.”

Viktor’s lips curved into the faintest smirk. “Beg me,” he said, “Beg me to touch your cock.”

Jayce’s breath hitched. “Please,” he started, his voice cracking as he shifted slightly, his body alight with desperation. “Please, Viktor, baby. I need you. Please touch me. I can’t—” His words dissolved into a whimper, his chest heaving as he continued, “I need you so much. I’m begging you. Please.”

The desperation in Jayce’s voice was pathetic in the most beautiful, intoxicating way, and Viktor reveled in it. Slowly, he slid down to his knees, ignoring the pain in his leg and hip, his eyes never leaving Jayce’s. Jayce’s entire body stiffened, a strangled noise escaping him as he gasped, “Oh, my fucking god.”

Viktor’s lips twitched with amusement as he leaned in closer. “You’re not allowed to touch me,” he murmured. “Keep your hands firmly on the couch. Do not move them.”

Jayce immediately complied, placing his hands by his sides, clenched into tight fists against the cushions. His muscles tensed, his body quivering with anticipation as Viktor positioned himself between his spread thighs.

And then Viktor leaned forward, his lips parting as he took Jayce into his mouth.

Jayce let out a broken moan, his head falling back briefly before snapping upright again, his eyes wild as he watched Viktor. The heat of Viktor’s mouth was overwhelming, and when Viktor swirled his tongue around the head of Jayce’s cock, pressing into the slit, Jayce let out a high, needy whine.

Viktor worked with care, his movements controlled at first, each flick of his tongue and hollow of his cheeks driving Jayce closer to the edge. But then he picked up the pace, bobbing his head, taking more of Jayce into his mouth with each pass, the obscene sounds filling the room joining the music from the record player.

Jayce was unraveling, his toes curling, his breath coming in short, desperate gasps. “I’m gonna—” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper as his thighs trembled, his body coiled tight with his impending release.

But Viktor pulled back, releasing him with a wet pop before rising gracefully to sit on the coffee table again. Jayce was shaking, his thighs trembling violently, his entire body tightly wound like a bow string.

“Please,” Jayce begged, his voice raw and pleading, “please.”

Viktor tilted his head, studying him. “Let me know when you’re okay,” he said calmly.

Jayce groaned, throwing his head back in frustration. While Jayce’s neck, red and vulnerable was an attractive sight Viktor’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Ah-ah-ah,” he chided, “look at me. Don’t take your eyes off me.”

Jayce’s head snapped forward instantly, his eyes locking with Viktor’s. He was a picture of desperation, his chest heaving, nostrils flaring with each breath, his lips parted.

Viktor reached out with his foot, nudging Jayce’s legs. “Wider,” he ordered, his voice soft. “I want to see everything.”

Jayce obeyed, spreading his legs as far as he could, his breathing ragged, his skin flushed. Viktor slid down again, his hands gliding up the inside of Jayce’s thighs, sending shivers rippling through him. Viktor’s mouth descended to Jayce’s sack, his tongue flicking out to taste before he began to suck gently, rolling the sensitive flesh in his mouth.

Jayce whimpered, his hips twitching instinctively, desperate for friction, but the cock ring held him cruelly at bay. “Please,” he whispered, his voice broken. “Please.”

Viktor lifted his head slightly, his hands pressing down firmly on Jayce’s hip bones, stilling his restless movements. “Absolutely no moving,” Viktor said firmly, his voice a low growl. “You’re not allowed to move. You’re staying still. You’re a statue, Jayce. Do not move a single muscle. I’m in control here.”

“Yes,” Jayce gasped, his voice shaking as he fought to obey. “Yes, you’re in control. I’m sorry.”

“You are sorry,” Viktor murmured, his voice deceptively soft as he tilted his head to study Jayce. “You’re very sorry.”

Then, without further warning, Viktor took Jayce’s cock into his mouth, swallowing him down in one smooth motion. The wet heat, the suddenness of the act, tore a sound from Jayce that was raw and primal, a howl that echoed in the room like a wounded animal. Viktor’s tongue pressed and teased, his lips tight around Jayce’s length as he sucked, slow at first but quickly building intensity, the obscene sounds of it driving Jayce wild.

Jayce’s thighs quivered, his breath coming in shallow, broken gasps, and just as he was teetering on the edge of release, Viktor pulled back. The sudden loss of contact made Jayce whimper pitifully, his hands gripping the couch cushions for dear life.

Viktor sat back on his heels, his lips glistening as he looked up at Jayce. “Do you want me to be naked?” he asked, his voice was smooth and laced with teasing.

“Yes, please,” Jayce rasped, his voice thick with desperation. “I need you. I need to see you.”

“How much do you want to see my body?” Viktor asked, his head tilting slightly, his gaze calculating.

“I need to see your body,” Jayce said, his voice trembling with unrestrained desire. “Please, Viktor. I need to.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking in amusement. “I don’t know,” he mused, his tone contemplative. “I don’t know if you’ve been properly punished yet.”

“There isn’t punishment enough,” Jayce replied, his words spilling out in a desperate plea. “There’s not punishment enough for what I’ve done.”

Viktor seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding slightly. “Fine,” he said, his voice a mix of indulgence and command. “You may take my shirt off. But you cannot touch me otherwise. You are only allowed to take off my shirt. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Jayce breathed, his hands twitching as he reached out carefully.

Viktor stood. Jayce’s trembling fingers found the buttons of Viktor’s shirt, fumbling slightly as he worked them open one by one. His breath hitched as more of Viktor’s chest was revealed, the straps of his back brace severe against his pale skin. When the shirt finally slid off Viktor’s shoulders, Jayce let it fall to the floor, his hands hovering in the air, aching to touch but knowing he couldn’t.

“Don’t touch me,” Viktor warned, his voice low but sharp. “You’re not allowed. Sit back, same position.”

Jayce’s hands dropped immediately, his shoulders sagging as he sat back into the couch. His cock throbbed painfully, the tip slick with precome that dripped down steadily, betraying just how much he needed Viktor.

Viktor’s eyes darkened as he sank back to his knees, positioning himself between Jayce’s thighs again. Without preamble, he took Jayce’s cock back into his mouth, his hands firm on Jayce’s thighs, keeping them spread wide as he sucked with a renewed fervor. Jayce’s hips twitched involuntarily, but Viktor pressed down firmly on them, holding him still as his tongue worked relentlessly, teasing and tasting every inch.

Jayce was losing himself, his body trembling violently as Viktor’s mouth brought him closer and closer to the edge. His cock throbbed, practically purple from the strain, standing proud and curved as if it were begging for release. His breathing was shallow, his thighs quaking as he stammered, “I’m so—so close. Please. Please, V.”

But just as he was about to tip over, his balls tightening and his body coiling, Viktor pulled back again. The loss of sensation was devastating, and Jayce let out a strangled sob, his head falling back as he trembled uncontrollably, the ache in his body reaching unbearable heights.

Viktor’s hands moved quickly as he pulled back, leaving Jayce teetering on the brink of release, he pressed the heel of his hand firmly against Jayce’s sack, pulling his balls downward. The sudden pressure cut off any chance of climax, and Jayce groaned loudly, his voice breaking as his body shuddered with frustration.

“Please,” Jayce begged, his voice hoarse, broken by the ache in his body. “Please, baby. Please.”

“No,” Viktor said firmly, and it sent shivers down Jayce’s spine. “No, no. You’re going to take my leg brace off first. Then, you’re going to remove my pants, my socks, and my underwear—but you will not touch anything else. You are not allowed to touch me.”

Jayce nodded quickly, his voice barely above a whisper as he replied, “Okay.” His hands trembled as Viktor sat back on the coffee table, presenting his leg. Jayce started carefully, unfastening the straps of the brace meticulously, his fingers moving deftly despite the unrelenting ache in his own body. He removed it gently, setting it aside, before looking up at Viktor for permission to continue.

Viktor stood. His movements slow as he watched Jayce from above. Jayce’s hands went to Viktor’s waistband, unbuttoning his pants. He pulled the zipper down and slid the fabric down Viktor’s legs, taking his underwear with it. As he knelt, Jayce slipped off Viktor’s socks. He kept the touching to a minimum though it was obvious to Viktor that not being able to touch was killing him.

When Viktor was fully bare save for his back brace, he straightened, looking down at Jayce. “Sit back on the couch,” he instructed.

Jayce obeyed immediately, moving back to his previous position on the couch. Viktor’s eyes followed him closely, a flicker of satisfaction crossed his face as Jayce placed his hands back on the cushions.

“Spread your legs again,” Viktor said, his voice calm but firm.

Jayce spread his thighs wide, his cock straining against the unrelenting grip of the ring, glistening with precome. His eyes were locked on Viktor, unable to tear himself away from the sight of him—thin, elegant, his hard cock standing proud, his back brace not taking away from his beauty at all. Viktor’s body was stunning, every mole and line telling a story that made him even more beautiful.

“What are you seeing?” Viktor asked, his voice soft, curious.

Jayce’s voice cracked as he replied, “You are the most beautiful creature to ever exist. Ever. In every universe, you are just—” He trailed off, his words failing him as his eyes roved over Viktor’s form.

Viktor tilted his head slightly, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “How much do you want this body?”

Jayce’s voice was raw with emotion as he answered, “I would die for you.”

A soft, dry laugh escaped Viktor as he leaned slightly forward. “You have,” he said simply.

Jayce didn’t hesitate. “I would do it again.”

Viktor’s smile widened just a fraction, it was hard to keep himself in character and not break. Jayce was being so genuine, so desperate. “Okay,” he said. Then, without another word, he turned, picking up the bottle of lube from the coffee table.

As Viktor knelt on the floor, he leaned forward, bracing himself on the coffee table, his body on perfect display. His back arched slightly. His thighs spread just enough to leave nothing to the imagination. Jayce groaned at the sight behind him, and Viktor looked over his shoulder to make sure he wasn’t touching himself.

“Oh my God,” Jayce whispered, his voice a reverent gasp.

Viktor smirked, knowing exactly what Jayce was seeing. Every inch of him was exposed, “You stay still,” Viktor said, his voice low, steady, and commanding. “You’re not allowed to touch me. You just get to watch.”

Jayce let out a broken sound, his hands clenching the couch cushions tightly, every fiber of his being focused on the scene before him. His eyes followed Viktor’s every move as Viktor reached for the lube. He poured some onto his fingers. Without hesitation, Viktor slipped in two fingers at once, his slender digits disappearing inside himself in one fluid motion.

Jayce’s breath hitched, his eyes transfixed on Viktor’s movements. It was the only thing he could see, the way Viktor’s body swallowed his fingers, the slick slide of them working steadily. Viktor glanced over his shoulder, watching Jayce’s reaction, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he noted how transfixed Jayce was, utterly unable to look away.

Viktor’s pace was unrelenting as he worked himself, his fingers curling and angling to hit his spot. He gave himself a real, thorough job, a soft “ah-ah-ah” slipping from his lips, his body responding to the stimulation. He wanted Jayce so badly it burned—wanted to feel his strength, his heat, the way he filled him completely. The itch to grab his own cock, to squeeze and stroke, was overwhelming, but Viktor stayed disciplined.

Jayce, on the other hand, was trembling violently, his hands remaining exactly where Viktor had instructed, despite the clear agony of holding himself back. He was being such a good boy, just as Viktor demanded.

Then Viktor slid in a third finger, his movements slowing slightly as he adjusted. A soft, broken sound escaped him as he rubbed directly against his prostate, the sensation almost too much. He was shaking now, his breaths coming in shallow gasps as he continued. Usually, he couldn’t be this relentless with himself, but he wanted to put on a show for Jayce, to make this as excruciatingly difficult as possible for him to stay still. Viktor wanted Jayce to feel every ounce of his desire.

When Viktor finally pulled his fingers free, his patience was becoming thin. He turned slowly, his body moving a little awkwardly due to the pain in his leg and hip. His eyes raked over Jayce, taking in every inch of his trembling form. Viktor stood, his cock hard and flushed a twin to Jayce’s.

“Close your legs a little,” Viktor ordered, his voice steady and commanding.

Jayce obeyed instantly, his thighs shifting closer together as he looked up at Viktor with wide, desperate eyes. “Keep your hands where they are,” Viktor added, his tone brooking no argument. “You are not allowed to move your hands. You are not allowed to touch me.”

“Okay,” Jayce stammered, his voice shaky but obedient. His hands remained firmly on the couch cushions. His knuckles white from how tightly he was gripping them.

Viktor stepped forward, climbing onto Jayce’s lap. He reached for the lube, quickly slathering it over Jayce’s cock, slicking him up before aligning himself. Without hesitation, Viktor sank down, taking Jayce in one fluid motion, his body enveloping him completely, all the way to the base in a single, breathtaking instant.

Jayce cried out, his head snapping back, his entire body seizing as the sensation overwhelmed him his hands involuntarily coming up off the couch, but he left them hovering and did not attempt to grab Viktor though it was obvious he wanted to. “Oh my—” His words cut off into a strangled groan, his head tossing against the back of the couch in utter thrall.

Viktor wasted no time, his hips beginning to roll in steady, measured motions. The friction was electric, each movement drawing a deep groan from Jayce, whose head was still thrown back against the couch in helpless abandon. Viktor’s movements weren’t frantic; he kept his rhythm controlled, his body rocking in a way that was calculated to drive Jayce mad. Occasionally, he would lift himself slightly, not a full bounce, but enough to keep Jayce teetering on the edge of desperation. Keep himself teetering on the edge of desperation.

Viktor leaned forward, bracing his arms on either side of Jayce’s head, their faces inches apart, eyes locked. Jayce shuddered, his lips parting as he whispered, “Please, V. Please let me touch you.”

“No,” Viktor replied with a gasp, “You don’t get to touch me.”

Jayce whimpered, his moans spilling out unabashedly now, raw and unrestrained. His jaw went slack, his body trembling under Viktor’s measured pace. Jayce was utterly undone, his breath coming in shallow, desperate gasps. Viktor was struggling too, struggling to keep himself in control and not just let Jayce throw him down and fuck him.

Viktor leaned back slightly, his hands leaving the couch to settle on either side of Jayce’s throat. His fingers pressed firmly—not on the windpipe but along the sides, applying pressure. Jayce’s eyes widened momentarily before fluttering closed, his lips parting as a low, guttural sound escaped him. The choking was harder than Viktor had done before, firm and unrelenting, and it sent Jayce spiraling further into submission.

Viktor brought his face close to Jayce’s, his lips a hair’s breadth away as he growled, “You are mine. You’re mine. Tell me you’re mine.”

Jayce’s voice was broken and desperate as he stammered, “I—I’m yours. I’m yours.”

Viktor pressed harder, his gaze darkening. “Who else’s?”

“No one,” Jayce gasped, his voice cracking. “I am just yours. I am nobody else’s. You’re the only one for me.”

Viktor’s lips quirked into a small, satisfied smile as he slowed his movements. He stopped entirely, watching as Jayce’s eyes fluttered closed, his head tossing against the back of the couch, lost completely. Jayce’s arms lifted off the cushions, trembling as if they were reaching for Viktor but stopping short of touching him.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Viktor tutted, his voice a soft reprimand. “No, no, no.”

Jayce opened his eyes slightly, hazy with pleasure and confusion, but before he could respond, Viktor gave him a sharp slap on the cheek. It wasn’t hard, but it was firm enough to shock Jayce back to reality. His eyes flew wide, his mouth opening in a soft gasp as he stared at Viktor.

Viktor cocked his head as he looked at Jayce, his eyes assessing. Jayce let out a pitiful whine, his body sliding slightly down the couch as his legs shifted, lifting Viktor slightly in his lap, causing him to bounce. Viktor placed a firm hand on Jayce’s chest to still him, his voice a low, scolding, “Absolutely not. Naughty. You’re being very naughty.”

“Please,” Jayce whimpered, his voice breaking as he squirmed beneath Viktor. “Please.”

“Are you done?” Viktor asked, his voice cold, “Is this enough? Has this been enough?”

“Yes,” Jayce replied quickly, his voice trembling.

“Are you sure?” Viktor pressed, his sharp eyes boring into Jayce. “Is the punishment enough for you? You don’t need it anymore? You don’t need to be punished anymore?”

Jayce hesitated, the desperation etched on his face softening as he nodded. “No more. I don’t need it anymore.”

Viktor tilted his head slightly, “Are you forgiven, Jayce? Do you accept that you are forgiven?”

“Yes,” Jayce whispered, “I’m forgiven.”

Viktor’s expression shifted, “Have you forgiven me? Am I forgiven for all that I have done?”

Jayce’s face crumpled, tears spilling over as he nodded frantically, overwhelmed by the weight of the question and the moment. “Yes,” he cried, “You are. You’re forgiven.”

Viktor leaned in slightly, his voice low, almost a whisper. “Are you sure I don’t need to be punished? How much more punishment is necessary until you feel like it is sufficient?”

Jayce shook his head, his hands trembling as they remained planted on the couch. “No more,” he choked out. “No more punishment.”

Viktor studied him for a moment, letting the silence linger, thick and heavy. Then his voice dropped further, “Okay,” Viktor leaned closer, his breath brushing Jayce’s lips as he whispered, “Fuck me.”

Jayce’s hands shot up to Viktor’s hips, gripping him tightly as a feral growl escaped his lips. With a burst of strength, he began lifting Viktor bodily, bouncing him up and down on his cock with relentless intensity. Viktor let out a sharp gasp, his hands tightening around Jayce’s throat, maintaining the perfect balance of pressure as he let Jayce take over completely.

Jayce’s movements were primal, his eyes squeezing shut as he poured every ounce of his energy into the act, his body moving with a rhythm born of desperation and raw need. He slid so far down the couch that his shins hit the coffee table, leaving only his upper back supported as he held Viktor’s weight entirely. Viktors legs dangling on either side of his body. Jayce’s hands gripped Viktor’s hips firmly, guiding him up and down with an almost frenzied pace, using Viktor’s body like a cock sleeve as he thrust upwards.

Viktor’s breath hitched, his fingers digging into Jayce’s throat, maintaining the chokehold even as his own body shuddered. Jayce’s growls turned into low, guttural groans, his entire body flexing and trembling as he lost himself in the heat of Viktor’s body.

As Jayce neared his climax, his movements became erratic, his grip tightening as he pressed Viktor down hard, seating him fully on his cock with every thrust. With a final, shuddering groan, Jayce came, his hips bucking wildly as he emptied himself, grinding Viktor down onto him as he rode out his release. His body collapsed to the ground between the couch and the coffee table, his strength momentarily spent, his chest heaving as he gasped for air.

Viktor remained hard, his cock flushed and aching as he watched Jayce try to catch his breath. Jayce, despite his exhaustion, wasn’t done. He wrapped his arms around Viktor, lifting and dragging him up his body until Viktor was kneeling, supported by Jayce’s arms around his thighs, ass, and lower back.

Jayce looked up at Viktor, his lips parting as he leaned in and sucked Viktor’s cock into his mouth without hesitation. Viktor gasped sharply, his hands tangling in Jayce’s hair as the warmth of Jayce’s mouth enveloped him completely. Jayce’s movements were slower now, reverent but deliberate, his tongue swirling over Viktor’s head and along his shaft as he worked him.

It didn’t take long. Viktor’s body trembled as his release built quickly, and with a final sharp cry, he came, his hips jerking slightly as Jayce took him fully, swallowing every drop. Jayce pulled back only when Viktor was completely spent, his lips lingering for a moment as he rested his head against Viktor’s thigh, his breaths coming in slow, even waves.

--------------

Viktor lay stretched out on the couch. His body relaxed and pleasantly heavy with exhaustion. Jayce was draped over him, his head resting against Viktor’s chest as Viktor’s fingers gently combed through his damp hair. Viktor’s touch seemed to soothe them both after such an intense session. A throw blanket was draped haphazardly across Jayce’s lower back and hips, but it didn’t cover much. Viktor himself was shielded entirely by Jayce, who remained pressed against him, their bodies fitting together perfectly.

As the silence between them stretched, Viktor ventured softly, “Tell me what happened today.”

Jayce shifted slightly, as though trying to bury his face further into Viktor’s chest, but Viktor’s hand moved to his jaw, guiding his head gently until Jayce looked at him—or tried to.

“You already know what happened,” Jayce muttered, his voice muffled with fatigue and a lingering hint of shame.

“Tell it to me anyway,” Viktor urged, his voice calm but insistent, his thumb brushing lightly against Jayce’s jaw.

Jayce sighed, propping his chin on Viktor’s chest, though his gaze remained averted. “I went into the office…and Mel was there before my meeting,” he began hesitantly, his words trailing off.

Viktor’s fingers resumed their soothing motion, scratching lightly at Jayce’s scalp. “Mm-hm.”

Jayce’s eyes flickered upward briefly, but he quickly looked away again. “Every time I thought about her…or saw her, it felt like my head was going to cave in,” he admitted, his voice low and hesitant. “And she…she was saying something, but I couldn’t take it, so I just ran away to Cassandrea’s.”

“And?” Viktor prompted, his voice gentle but firm, encouraging Jayce to continue.

“It was about the weapons contract. The first one,” Jayce said, his tone tinged with frustration. “Nothing can be done about it for at least three years, and then she…” His words faltered, and he looked down, clearly struggling to continue.

Viktor’s brows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t press. Instead, he kept his voice soft. “And then she what?”

Jayce hesitated before finally saying, “She asked if I was having an affair with Mel…and mentioned the pre-nup your counterpart signed.” He paused, “After that, I went back to my office and checked Mel’s messages on my phone. Then she came in, and we…got into an argument.”

Viktor’s hand stilled for a moment as he processed this. He’d assumed Jayce hadn’t pieced things together until later, after he’d returned home and seen the divorce papers. But apparently, like Viktor, Jayce had started unraveling the truth much earlier in the day.

“You got into an argument with Mel?” Viktor asked.

Jayce nodded, his expression tightening as he muttered, “She…it…she did this. It was her fault.”

Viktor studied Jayce’s face carefully, the conflict there unmistakable. He could see that Jayce knew the statement wasn’t entirely true. Viktor’s voice was calm but firm as he asked, “Did you say that to her?”

“I was upset,” Jayce admitted defensively, his voice faltering. “And it’s…true.”

“No, Jayce,” Viktor said firmly, the weight of his disapproval clear in the quiet room.

Jayce’s gaze snapped to Viktor’s for a moment before falling away. “You don’t think that? You don’t feel any resentment toward her?”

“This isn’t about me,” Viktor replied evenly, his fingers resuming their comforting rhythm through Jayce’s hair. “But no, not anymore.”

Jayce’s shoulders slumped as he dropped his head down, resting his forehead against Viktor’s sternum. The gesture was heavy with remorse. “I…was an ass,” he said, his voice muffled and small.

Viktor hummed softly, the sound carrying both amusement and affection. “Mmmm, sounds like it. Yes.”

Jayce let out a weak chuckle, though it quickly dissolved into a sigh. He stayed there, pressed against Viktor, the warmth and comfort of his presence slowly easing the tension that lingered between them.

Viktor’s hand moved to the back of Jayce’s neck, “You’ll do better tomorrow,” he said softly. It wasn’t a question or a suggestion—it was a quiet certainty, an unshakable belief in Jayce’s ability to make things right.

“I…had Meg clear my schedule for the week,” Jayce admitted, his voice hesitant. “told Mel that I was done…with her…with everything. Then came home early.”

Viktor’s brow furrowed slightly, his fingers pausing in Jayce’s hair. “I thought you said you could not do anything until three years?”

“I don’t care,” Jayce said, “I…already left this behind, V. When I died with you, I was accepting that. All I want now is to be with you. I don’t want anything else. I don’t care about my counterpart’s dreams. I just want you.”

Viktor felt a swell of emotion, a deep and unshakable love for the man holding onto him so tightly. But with it came a cautious practicality. He couldn’t ignore the weight of their new reality, and he knew Jayce couldn’t either—not fully. “Jayce,” Viktor began gently, “I think it is good to take another week off…to think. To come up with a plan of action and be prepared when you go back in. But I also believe that we cannot just dismantle everything they have built in this life. We must be cautious.”

Jayce looked at him, his brows knitting together in frustration and confusion. “What are you saying?”

“I am saying take the week to come up with a plan of action. And…that you should probably apologize to Mel for what you said.”

Jayce flinched slightly, his gaze dropping. “I…” He paused, his voice breaking slightly as he continued, “I know. I know…I knew the moment I said it. I know it’s not her fault. It’s mine and—”

“Jayce,” Viktor interrupted, his voice soft but commanding. “No more of this self-flagellation. I thought we agreed not ten minutes ago that you have been punished enough, hm? No more. You will fix it, as you always do, because you are a good man and can accept when you’re wrong.”

Jayce nodded slowly, but his expression remained uncertain. “Perhaps tonight you will,” Viktor added, his voice light but edged with quiet insistence. “Do not let it linger on.”

“Tonight?” Jayce repeated. It looked like it sounded like the last thing Jayce wanted to do.

“Yes,” Viktor said simply, his fingers resuming their soothing motion through Jayce’s hair. “It is best to address these things sooner rather than later. You will feel better once it is done. And so will she.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Jayce admitted, his voice low and uncertain. “It was just…a lot to take in today.”

“What do you want to say?” Viktor asked, prompting, encouraging Jayce to find the words he was struggling with.

Jayce hesitated, searching for the right place to begin. “I’m sorry that I blamed you for everything,” he said finally, his voice raw with honesty. “Even though they were my decisions too. That…” He trailed off, thinking back to his time with Mel in his own life, his expression conflicted. “That…I think I thought we were friends. It felt like friendship. And then it got all twisted up. I needed comfort from someone, and I just wanted comfort. It got all…confused in my head.”

Viktor tilted his head slightly, studying Jayce’s face. “Are you speaking of your counterpart? Or you?”

Jayce met Viktor’s gaze hesitantly. “Me,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Viktor nodded slowly, “I think it fits enough,” he said thoughtfully. “You know, Jayce, if you had come to me…I would have been receptive.”

Jayce’s breath caught, and he shook his head slightly. “I couldn’t,” he said, his voice cracking. “Because it’s you. You were dying, and I couldn’t come to you because the pain…it was coming from you. I wanted to be with you always, but you couldn’t comfort me. I had to comfort you.”

Viktor’s hand stilled in Jayce’s hair as he considered those words. After a moment, he spoke, “It did not and does not have to go only one way, my darling. It never did.”

Jayce closed his eyes, his head pressing lightly against Viktor’s chest. “I know that now,” he murmured.

Viktor resumed his soothing touch, “You…want to be friends with her?” he asked carefully.

Jayce hesitated, his shoulders tensing slightly. “…I—”

“I think it’s good,” Viktor said, cutting in gently. “I…enjoy having Sky as a real friend in this world. And the other teachers. As well as Caitlyn, Jinx, Vi, and all the others. The more friendships, I think, the better. Your counterpart needed something outside of me completely…perhaps you do as well.”

Jayce opened his eyes, staring at Viktor’s chest as he absorbed those words. “I don’t want…I don’t know,” he said finally, his voice unsure.

“It is as you like, Jayce,” Viktor said softly, reassuring. “That is my only advice.”

Jayce let out a slow breath, nodding slightly. “Do you know how to find her?” Viktor asked after a moment.

“Yeah,” Jayce said quietly, his voice more certain this time. “I think so.”

--------------

Jayce stood in front of the apartment building, his stomach twisting into knots. He hated how easily he’d found the address, a couple scrolls up Mel’s messages and there it had been, clear as day right next to a picture he took of himself in a mirror at the gym. He took a deep breath and made his way inside.

At the door, he hesitated before knocking. The sound echoed faintly, and a moment later, the door opened to reveal a strikingly beautiful woman. She was tall, almost as tall as him, with smooth brown skin and slightly tilted eyes. Her long, dark curls spilled over her shoulder, framing her face. She wore a lavender slip dress under a heavy cardigan that was slipping casually off her shoulders.

“Can I see Mel?” Jayce asked, his voice unsteady.

The woman arched an eyebrow, “I don’t think I should let you.”

Before Jayce could respond, Mel appeared behind her, her voice calm but firm. She was the most casual he had ever seen her outside of being naked, and that thought made him want to squeeze his eyes shut. “It’s okay, Lest.”

Lest glanced back at Mel, her lips pressing together before she stepped aside and disappeared back into the apartment. Mel leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, and looked at Jayce with a raised brow. She was wearing a ivory nightgown and a sheer matching robe, “What? Come to yell at me some more?”

Jayce shook his head quickly. “Well, no. Actually…I came to apologize.”

Mel tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “Okay, let’s hear it.”

Jayce shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck as he searched for the right words. “I was an ass today. I was way out of line, and I shouldn’t have blamed everything on you like that.”

“Yup,” Mel said simply, not letting him off the hook that easily.

Jayce sighed. “I just really got hit with it today. And I took that out on you, and that was messed up. It’s not your fault. This is something that we both did—a joint effort. And if anything…it’s more my fault.”

Mel studied him for a moment before nodding. “Well, you know,” she said, her voice softer now. “I knew you were married. I knew who you were married to. I know Viktor. I knew what I was getting into when we started and…I feel like I almost used your grief in a way to get what I wanted out of that.”

“There isn’t really an excuse for either of us,” Jayce admitted. “But…Viktor and I had a really long talk tonight. He’s decided to forgive me, and we’re going to move forward. He’s actually the one who opened my eyes and…why I’m here.”

Mel blinked, genuinely surprised. “Oh. I didn’t think Viktor liked me very much.”

Jayce shrugged, a small, humorless laugh escaping him. “Do you blame him?”

Mel chuckled softly, shaking her head. “No, not really.”

They stood there awkwardly for a moment, the air between them thick with unresolved tension. Jayce shifted uncomfortably. “You know, I’ve realized a lot recently. That offer of friendship…is it still on the table?”

Mel tilted her head, her expression unreadable again. “I don’t know, Jayce.”

Jayce looked down, exhaling slowly. “I just…I just realized I don’t really have any friends. I have Caitlyn, who’s like a sister, and I hang out with her girlfriend and all their friends, but…it’s different. They’re all so close to the situation. They all know Viktor. They’re all aware of everything. I can’t really talk to Cait about my life like that. And Vi…well, it’s similar. I can talk to her more, but it’s still…”

Mel’s gaze softened slightly, though her voice remained cautious. “Are you serious? Viktor’s okay with this?”

“Yeah,” Jayce said with a small nod. “He actually suggested it. He said the affair happened in the first place because I didn’t have anyone else. And he’s right—that’s a problem.”

Mel sighed, crossing her arms as she leaned back slightly. “I’ll have to think about that.”

Jayce nodded again, his expression earnest. “I understand.”

Mel studied him for another moment before gesturing behind her. “Do you want to come in?”

Jayce hesitated, glancing past her into the apartment. “I don’t think your friend likes me very much.”

Mel laughed lightly. “Well…we were just kind of talking about you.”

Jayce smiled faintly, shaking his head. “Yeah, I think I should just go home.”

“Okay,” Mel said with a small shrug. “Let me think about it. I’ll let you know if friendships on the table.”

Jayce gave her a faint smile, his voice quiet but sincere as he said, “I hope it is.”

Mel nodded, watching him for a moment before stepping back inside and closing the door. Jayce stood there, exhaling heavily before turning to leave. He wanted to get back to his new home and lay again in Viktor’s arms and revel in finally feeling the burdens of his past life and this one lifting off his shoulders.

Chapter Text

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end."

-Lucius Annaeus Seneca

--------------

Jayce wasn’t alone in the swirling phantasmagoria of stars. The moment he registered where he was the anger surged through him like a tidal wave. He tightened his fists, clenching his jaw so hard that even in this fleshless body he felt the pain of it. His eyes landed on the object of his ire. His mirror—his eyes, but not his eyes, his face, but not his face. The same, yet so very different. Every detail seemed designed to remind Jayce of what he could be—and what he wasn’t.

“How could you do it?” Jayce demanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

The other Jayce met his gaze evenly. “He was dying,” His mirror said, voice heavy with something that could have been regret or defensiveness. “He was dying, and there was nothing I could do about it. I was trying to make him aids, to help him, to keep him mobile for as long as possible. And then it was his lungs. Incurable. I couldn’t control that. There was nothing I could do—even if I changed everything about the company, I couldn’t build anything that would help his lungs stop deteriorating.”

“What does any of that have to do with Mel?” Jayce shot back. He wasn’t going to play this game of poetic vagaries. He wanted answers. He needed to know that this was as far away from him as possible. This wasn’t something he would do without something driving him. Jayce wasn’t this man. He couldn’t be.

“She was there,” his mirror said, his voice soft like he wasn’t explaining the vilest thing Jayce could have ever done. “Warm and comforting in a way Vik wasn’t. I couldn’t cry on his shoulder when he was the one dying. When we were fighting all the time because of Talis Tech and his treatment. When he didn’t want anything, I built there because it was tainted. I was drained. She was there…and she reminded me of him when we first met. So cunning, sarcastic, and devious. Playful. She looked at me the way he used to, and I wanted that again. I missed him—miss him so much. And the fear of him dying was too much to handle.” his voice cracked as he added, almost pleading, “But you understand.”

“I don’t,” Jayce replied coldly. “You’re just making excuses.”

“No, no,” the other Jayce said quickly, shaking his head. “It’s not an excuse…it’s a reason.”

Jayce’s lips curled in disdain. “I don’t see how that’s a good enough reason.”

“I never said it was a good one,” his counterpart admitted. He sighed, running his glowing hand through his pristine hair, not a strand shifted out of place. “I was seeking something—a friend, a confidant, someone who wasn’t so close to the situation. Someone who wouldn’t just tell me to be strong. That I had to face this head-on without fear. I needed to be held. I hadn’t meant to do it that first time. Viktor and I hadn’t had sex in…weeks, even before the diagnosis. His chest was hurting him. He’d had what we thought was a cold for a while. So, when she was touching me…I just… it just…”

“Don’t say it ‘just happened,’” Jayce snapped. “I saw the memories.”

His mirror looked away. “I don’t have an excuse for it.”

“It kept happening. You did it more than once,” Jayce pressed, his voice rising with his anger.

 The alternate Jayce’s frustration spilled over, his voice louder now. “It was the only thing keeping me from going insane. She felt so good in a time where nothing felt good. She was giving me something I needed while Viktor couldn’t—wouldn’t. I needed it so that I could be there for him, so I could be that rock he needed. Without her, I would’ve crumbled under the pressure! She let me cry in her arms and let me…feel something other than pain.”

“And before?” Jayce demanded. “Before the diagnosis? Months before, when you started taking her to lunch. The texts? The photos of you in the gym? The flirting? What’s your excuse for that?”

“Friends. I was….I just wanted to be friends. Is it such a crime to want friends my own age? Viktor was making friends for the first time in his life at the school-real ones, people he could open up to and really talk to about….everything. I couldn’t talk to Cait about the fighting, she’s like a little sister and she looked up to me-to us-so much. Viktor used to be the one I told everything to and I realized I needed someone else or I might explode.”

“You think friends talk to each other like that? You were flirting with Mel.”

His mirror’s frustration shifted to anger. “You slept with her too. In your life. In your world. For the same reasons.”

Jayce froze, faltering. “No, we…V and I weren’t like you. We weren’t married. We…were partners, friends, brothers—” his alternate scoffed at that, but Jayce continued, “but we hadn’t bridged the gap to lovers when I was with Mel! You had already known he was the love of your life from the start! I didn’t realize my feelings until after I had been with her!”

“You saw him in her,” his mirror countered.

Jayce was struck by the accusation, his anger giving way to a stunned silence. “…Yes.”

“Same reason, then,” his mirror said.

Jayce’s voice broke as he yelled, “You used her for comfort! Used her to feel good while your husband was sick and suffering alone on the bathroom floor, and you were off fucking Mel!”

His counterpart exploded. “I never left him alone on the bathroom floor! Mel and I never fucked at night—not since that first time. Unlike you—I never left him like that! Alone in his lab to be found while I was selling my soul making deals and shaking hands. Bedding down with a manipulative harpy!” His voice rose, raw and filled with fury. “You used her for proximity to power! To finally be at the top of your little food chain! You shunted him aside and ignored him while he was dying! At least mine hid it from me. I never saw him cough up blood until the ER! The only reason I wasn’t with him when he passed out was because it was a Parent-Teacher-night event! You killed him once with your own hands! It took being tortured in another dimension for you to come to terms with loving him! You wasted years not being with him! I LOVED HIM FROM DAY ONE! I LOVE HIM NOW, EVEN AFTER HE’S DONE THIS TO US!” he raised his arms as if gesturing to the universe, “I’D DIE FOR HIM RIGHT NOW IF THAT’S WHAT HE WANTS!”

Jayce stood frozen. His anger tempered by the force of his counterpart’s words. The silence stretched between them. No noise only the colorful pulsing of the cosmos around them.

Finally, Jayce asked, his voice quieter now, “Why didn’t you show me those memories? Was it you that made them hurt? Was it you trying to hide them?”

His counterpart hesitated, “You didn’t want them. You kept forcing them down, and I helped. I thought maybe it would go away on its own…that you weren’t going to participate in that, and maybe it never needed to be known—fully.” he paused, “I didn’t want you to know as much as you didn’t want to,” he admitted. “You two…you act like we did in the beginning. When we were in college. When we first got married. All fucking over each other. So into each other. I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted to live it again—to see what we could have been if I wasn’t such a fucking idiot…if he wasn’t so fucking stubborn.”

He paused, as though taking a non-existent breath, his eyes flickering with sorrow and longing. “Sometimes I can almost slip into you…just a little and feel it. I just push in alongside you and we become one person for a little while. It’s easier when…you’re a little out of it and I needed to feel it when he knew, while he was punishing us. It was…so hot. It burned us alive, but it helped sharing the guilt and taking what he gave us. My Viktor wouldn’t have reacted that way. He knew for weeks and never said a thing, but he made sure I felt cold, didn’t he? He can be a winter storm when he wants to be—practically gave me frostbite on my heart.”

“You deserved it,” Jayce said sharply.

His counterpart’s eyes dropped for a moment before he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. “Maybe.”

Jayce frowned, his frustration boiling just beneath the surface. “How…how is all of this possible?”

“Viktor,” he answered.

“…Viktor?” Jayce repeated.

His counterpart nodded, meeting his eyes. “He went to him in a dream. The older one.”

“The mage?” Jayce asked. He thought of the older version of Viktor—the mage who had saved him, the man who had watched him suffer in that wasteland, who had sent him on that mission. That version of Viktor, weathered and wise, had given Jayce hope that he could one day see his Viktor age gracefully, that he might have him for more than just a few precious years.

His counterpart sighed, his expression softening slightly. “I guess so. He comes here sometimes and sits with me. Sometimes we don’t even speak. He just lets me look at him…and he looks at me.”

Jayce’s voice grew more insistent. “Did he tell you how it works?”

His mirror shook his head, his voice was full of wistful melancholy. “He’s older. I feared I’d never see him get that old, but there he is, out in this vast cosmos somewhere, being older. I don't need to tell you how hard it is. I feel like it’s the one thing you might actually understand.”

Jayce swallowed hard, his frustration flickering again. “Did he tell you how it works?” he pressed, his voice sharper this time.

His counterpart sighed heavily, his weariness evident now, the anger and fight drained from him. “You have to wait for it. The day will come when we decide who keeps my body. But it’s not time yet.” He paused, his gaze steady as he looked back at Jayce. “You can go whenever you want, you know…or you can take my hand, and we can watch more of my life. See how I ruined it.”

Then he turned away, moving to sit on the rainbow bridge that arched through the endless cosmos. He sat quietly, his head bowed as though lost in thought.

Jayce lingered for a moment, his fists clenching and unclenching as he stared at the man who was and wasn’t him. Finally, he stepped forward, his anger ebbing into something softer, more uncertain, and he sat down beside himself.

“What would you show me?” Jayce asked. “What memories?”

“Only the good ones,” he replied.

Jayce hesitated, then reached out, taking his own hand.

--------------

Jayce stayed home the next day while Viktor went to the school. He felt like he might explode the moment Viktor walked out of the front door. So, Jayce spent his time deep cleaning the entire apartment—even though they apparently had a cleaning woman who spent hours doing her job the day before—he scrubbed every surface, rearranged shelves, and dusted places no one would ever think to check. Found floor wax and moved all the furniture and rugs, got on his hands and knees to do the entirety of the hardwood. When the cleaning was done, he scoured the archives—the Google—and everything he could access on his phone, determined to uncover anything about this world he might have missed.

He made a list of groceries for the following week and figured out how the banking system worked, down to where his own money was stored and how transactions were made. Little plastic cards—he had at least ten of them. He found out how much his bills were and that he apparently had a Financial Advisor who over saw his ‘investments’. He apparently met with him on a bi-monthly basis.

Then he discovered Amazon, and everything spiraled.

All these things at the tips of his fingers. He may have gone overboard, buying Viktor a projector and films, more records to add to his collection, books—so many books—and things Jayce thought Viktor might like: a mug with a cheeky chemistry joke, a new leather-bound notebook, fluffy socks, and face masks in various colors of mud. He tried to convince himself that it wasn’t because he was still feeling guilty—which, of course, he was. He didn’t even know why.

In some ways, he was aware that he didn’t do what his counterpart had done. That he would never have done it. But then, could he be so sure? If his counterpart had done it, didn’t that mean he was capable of it too? Viktor himself had done what other versions of himself had done—nearly destroyed the world. Sure, he hadn’t realized or understood it fully as he was doing it, but couldn’t the same be said for most of the Viktors who succeeded?

Shame and guilt. And hypocrisy.

So, Jayce spent a shockingly minuscule amount of his vast fortune buying everything he could that made him think of Viktor. Then he spent the rest of the day working. He designed new schematics for Jinx’s device, determined to create something that didn’t look like a heap of trash welded together. By the end of the day, he had also spent more money ordering tools and supplies to build his own forge. They would arrive within the week.

When Viktor came home, the smell of spices filled the air, warm and enticing. Jayce was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, making Bandeja Paisa. There was a note in the pantry that listed the meal plans for the week and he had found the recipe in a binder filled with his mother’s Colombian recipes. Apparently, in this world, his mother was Colombian. His father, it seemed, was of French origin—whatever that meant. Cute little notes in the margins of the recipes revealed snippets of their lives together, tiny details that made Jayce smile as he cooked.

When Viktor came home, he looked around the immaculately clean living room, the hardwood floor gleaming. His eyes swept over the kitchen and surveyed Jayce’s efforts. “Did you spend your day alone well?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Jayce replied, his voice had a slight manic energy to it. “I’ve really familiarized myself with the place! I think I’m going to make myself a miniature forge in the lab. I also figured out how the money works in this world—it’s just numbers! It’s not even backed by anything. We have these little cards that connect to our banks, and that’s how we pay for stuff!”

Viktor raised a brow, bemused and perhaps a little overwhelmed by Jayce’s rapid-fire enthusiasm.

“I might have gotten you some gifts,” Jayce admitted with a sheepish grin. “We have so much money, V, it’s kind of ridiculous. Then Vi wants to hit the gym tomorrow, and I think I might start running again. I used to go on runs in the mornings, you know, and I think this Jayce did too. If he didn’t—who cares, I want to start. How was your day, V? Do you like it—god—I can’t believe I didn’t ask how your first day was! Was it good?”

“Jayce,” Viktor interrupted gently. He came around the island setting his cane to lean against it as he approached, and in a rare display of affection, he pulled Jayce into his arms. Jayce melted into Viktor’s embrace, collapsing against his body as the buzzing energy under his skin quieted for the first time all day. “What do you need, Jayce? I thought we dealt with this yesterday…”

Jayce nuzzled into Viktor’s neck, bending his knees slightly as he wrapped his arms tightly around him. “I don’t know, V. I feel like I’m going to burst out of my skin.”

Viktor released him but didn’t step back, keeping his forehead pressed against Jayce’s. “My love,” Viktor murmured, his voice soft and steady, “perhaps you start doing your runs early, hm? Right now, even.”

“I’m making Bandeja Paisa,” Jayce protested.

“After, then.”

Jayce hesitated, then said, “I think I just want to lay down with you for a while…after we eat.”

“Mmmm, yes, let’s do that,” Viktor agreed.

Jayce pressed a kiss to Viktor’s forehead. “Maybe I can make you a bath.”

“I’d like that,” Viktor said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“I can give you a massage after,” Jayce offered, grinning slightly.

Viktor laughed, clearly charmed. “I feel like this is getting away from you. You do not need to do these things. I am not angry at you. I am not blaming you, my darling—my love—my summer dove.”

Jayce blinked, startled into a laugh, the rest of that horrid buzzing energy finally dissipating, leaving him tired but lighter. “That’s new.”

“You were born in the summer, yes?” Viktor asked, tilting his head.

“Yeah, at least back home I was.”

“Summer dove,” Viktor said, “It rhymes. Sky said it to me today—she said, ‘My darling—my love—my winter dove,’ and I liked it—it is a cute little saying.”

Jayce pressed a kiss to Viktor’s cheek, unable to stop smiling at how adorable Viktor looked, his eyes alight with the newfound phrase. “I like it a lot.”

“You know you are forgiven, darling,” Viktor said firmly. “No more of this.”

“It’s not that,” Jayce sighed. “I just…I want to. I want to cook for you and run you baths and give you massages.”

“It would bring you joy to do so, yes—you have said that.”

“It would bring me a lot of joy.”

“Fine,” Viktor relented with a small, indulgent smile. He leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Jayce’s lips before retreating around the island. “What do you want to listen to? I will play some music while you finish up your…whatever that is.”

--------------

Viktor had not anticipated enjoying teaching as much as he did. By the third day in his new role the novelty had yet to wear off, and, to his surprise, he found himself looking forward to each lesson. Teaching these high school students was a vastly different experience from the environment of the academy. Here, the questions he received weren’t marked with arrogance or a need to impress but stemmed from genuine curiosity.

Even the students that struggled had an openness, an eagerness to engage that lacked the defensiveness he’d grown accustomed to at the academy. He soon realized that his classes were the more advanced science electives—besides his chemistry 1 and 2 classes and there was a marked difference—most the students he taught weren’t there because of family obligations or future prestige. They had chosen to pursue higher science.

Perhaps, Jayce had been right when he’d said Viktor would make a good teacher.

Viktor had quickly become acquainted with the other teachers. Renni, the Biology and Anatomy teacher. She dealt primarily with sophomores slogging through the basics of biology and seniors who thought anatomy would be a lighter load—only to be confronted with the realities of dissecting animals and making visits to cadaver labs. Viktor had found her witty, with a no-nonsense attitude, though he suspected the students found her intimidating. She had a son who would be coming to their school in the next school year. Then there was Finn, who taught both economics and world history. Viktor hadn’t formed a definitive opinion on him yet, but there was something about Finn that he found grating.

 Viktor’s social interactions mostly revolved around Sky. Occasionally, Sevika. Viktor found her bluntness and crude humor comforting. Then there was Silco with his dry, cutting humor and sharp wit. In a way it make Viktor sad for how separated from these people he was in his past life. The only person at the school he had known at all was Sky and he had largely ignored her in his universe. Sure, some of them had been criminals in his world, but what did that mean really?

As much as he’d loved his work in the lab, he didn’t miss it as much as he thought he would. Teaching gave him a different kind of satisfaction. He was still in a lab every day—just not for himself. He was passing on his knowledge, shaping minds, and maybe, just maybe, making a difference. Making his own small mark on the world through the children he was teaching. It made him wonder if this was something he could do long-term, even if Jayce managed to cut all ties with weapons manufacturing.

Viktor spent his lunch break hunched over a stack of papers, he needed to get on top of the growing pile of assignments he needed to grade. The work was surprisingly satisfying, though it left him wondering how best to approach the upcoming lessons for November. Chemistry, especially at the AP level, required careful planning.

The quiet of his thoughts was interrupted by a knock on the open door. Viktor glanced up, pen hovering.

“Mr. Talis? Can I eat in here?”

Standing in the doorway was a dark-skinned girl with a cascade of wild curls framing her face. He recognized her immediately—Miss Aberdeen from his AP Chemistry class.

“Ah, if you like,” he said with a small nod.

She grinned, stepping into the room and making her way to the frontmost lab station. She unpacked a lavender lunchbox and set out its contents. Viktor observed her for a moment before turning his attention back to the homework from last week in front of him. He didn’t want to pry; if she felt the need to share, she would.

“Are you feeling better, Mr. Talis? You really scared me that day, you know,” she said. She tried to sound casual, but it was obvious she felt nervous bringing it up.

Viktor looked up at her and in his foggy memory he realized that she had been the first face that he had seen when he was thrown into this body from the void. The one that had kneeled above him calling his name.

“I am sorry for that, Miss Aberdeen,” he said sincerely. “It must have been very frightening, and I wish you had not had to see it.”

She shrugged, popping open a container of sliced fruit. “You’re my favorite teacher.”

Her openness startled him, “That makes me very glad. Don’t tell anyone, but I believe you are a favorite student of mine.” He did not know that for sure, but he could almost feel it in his chest that it was true.

The girl preened playfully, her smile widening. “I know.”

Viktor smiled softly. The room fell into a comfortable silence as Viktor returned to his grading.

“Aren’t you going to eat anything, Mr. Talis?” Her voice broke the quiet again, and Viktor glanced up from his papers.

He followed her gaze to his lunchbox, sitting untouched on the corner of the desk. Jayce had packed it for him that morning—leftovers from the previous night’s dinner. It had been delicious, proof that Jayce perhaps missed his calling as a chef. Viktor had been putting off eating, thinking he might join the other teachers in the lounge once his work was done, but he doubted that would happen now. There was too much for him to cover.

“You should eat something, you know,” Miss Aberdeen added, matter of fact. “So, something like that doesn’t happen again.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow at her, amusement tugging at the corners of his lips. “Are you my doctor now, Miss Aberdeen?”

She shrugged, taking a bite of her sandwich. “Someone has to be.”

Viktor set his pen aside and began unpacking his lunch. He arranged the containers carefully, as he pulled out the last one a little piece of paper fluttered out. In Jayce’s neat handwriting it said I hope you have a good day, V. I miss you. Viktor couldn’t hide how much that charmed him. Jayce had a way of showing open affection that left Viktor reeling.

As he took his first bite, the girl started another conversation. “Are you going to be back to chess club this Friday, or is it going to be Ms. Nair again?”

Viktor paused, considering her question. It took him a moment to realize she was referring to Sevika. This world was peculiar in how everyone seemed to have a surname with or without an inheritance.

“I believe it will be me,” Viktor replied, setting his lunch down momentarily.

He was going to do some reading on chess.

--------------

Jayce stretched his arms over his head as he glanced toward the window at the orange sky. “Vi wants to meet at four, so I should probably put on some gym clothes and head out.”

They were sprawled together on the couch, Viktor lounging on Jayce’s half-naked body. When Viktor had come home earlier, Jayce had accosted him, lifted him up without warning and carried him to the couch. Viktor’s eyes were closed now, his head resting against Jayce’s bare chest, enjoying the quiet thrum of his heartbeat beneath his cheek.

“Mm,” Viktor murmured, shifting slightly but keeping his face nestled against Jayce. “What time is it?”

Jayce picked up the nearest phone—Viktor’s—and checked. “Looks like it’s 3:45.”

“Yes,” Viktor said sleepily. “You should probably get ready then.”

“Hey, looks like—uh Pain in the Ass has texted a couple times,” Jayce said as he handed Viktor his phone, “Who’s Pain in the Ass?”

“Jinx,” Viktor replied as he shifted opening his eyes and lifting himself off Jayce so the man could rise.

“Fitting,” Jayce laughed as he made his way to the bedroom in only boxer briefs. Viktor could get used to Jayce just lounging around half naked at home.

Left alone on the couch, Viktor unlocked his phone and scrolled through his notifications. Sure enough, there were multiple messages from Jinx, some in a group chat and others in a private thread.

Pain in the Ass created a group text:
(Violet, Caitlyn, Shark Face, Big Mama, Ekko, and 8 others)

Jinx: Alright bozos, if you need a custom costume or any kind of tailoring you’ve gotta let me know now or else it’s not getting done by Halloween! I don’t want to be making my hands bleed last minute like last year!

Switching to the private thread, Viktor found more messages from Jinx:

Jinx: Hey, Mr. Fortune Cookie, when’s the next time I can come over to work on science?
Jinx: I was thinking we could make it a weekly Saturday sleepover thing! Or maybe bi-weekly—doesn’t always have to be a sleepover.

Viktor hesitated for only a moment before typing his response.

Viktor: I will add Saturday sleepovers to my calendar.

Within seconds, Jinx replied:

Jinx: Hell yeah!
Viktor: When is your thesis needing to be completed?
Jinx: I need to submit it by March.
Viktor: Alright, that gives us a few months to crack it.

After a brief pause, Viktor added:

Viktor: For this costume…I am wanting to be a sad clown, and Jayce to be something else, not sure. Does this require custom costuming?

Jinx’s reply was instantaneous. She sent a moving picture—some strange, looping animation that seemed to indicate amusement—and followed it with a string of messages:

Jinx: SAD CLOWN?!?!?!
Jinx: CUSTOM CUSTOM CUSTOM

Jinx: Let me design it pleeeeeeaaaaase! I’ll get the fabric and do your measurements when I come over Saturday!

Viktor chuckled quietly, shaking his head. He stood and made his way toward the kitchen but stopped short when there was a knock at the door. Viktor glanced toward the bedroom, half-expecting Jayce to emerge, but when it remained quiet. He made his way to the door, picking up his fallen cane as he went.

Opening the door, Viktor was startled to find Mel Medarda standing there. She looked impeccable, as always, in a tailored coat and perfect makeup. For a moment, she simply stared at him, her composure cracking slightly.

“Viktor,” she began, her voice tentative. “Just the man I was hoping to see. May I come in? I…I understand if you wouldn’t want me to.”

Viktor blinked, too stunned to reply immediately. Without saying a word, he stepped back inviting her in by the gesture alone and waved to the shoe rack by the door. Mel stepped inside and slipped off her shoes. Viktor turned away, leading her toward the living room, but his thoughts churned. He wasn’t sure how he felt about her knowing where they lived—or about her being here at all. When he’d told Jayce he was okay with the idea of them becoming friends, he hadn’t expected it to lead to…this. A small, bitter part of him had hoped Jayce wouldn’t follow through, that he would cast his net elsewhere. Yet here she was, in his home, wanting to talk.

Jayce emerged from the bedroom, gym bag slung over his shoulder. He froze when he saw Mel standing in the living room. “Mel, uh…what?” he stammered.

 “I’m here to speak to Viktor, actually,” she said, her tone left no room for argument before she turned back to Viktor and spoke to him directly. “If you don’t mind?”

Viktor didn’t know if Mel had ever spoken to him directly before. She always seemed to speak around him or above him in his old world, he wasn’t sure if it was the same here, but it was strange having her actually talk to him as if he mattered at all to her.

Viktor shrugged one shoulder and he knew he made a face of some kind that probably showed his general distaste and confusion.

Jayce’s eyes widened, and he nodded quickly. “I was…on my way to see Vi, actually. For the gym. So…”

Mel and Viktor watched as Jayce awkwardly crossed the kitchen to kiss Viktor on the temple. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours—not planning on doing drinks or anything tonight.”

Viktor turned toward him, and they shared a brief kiss. It lingered probably a little longer than it should have, as if Jayce didn’t want to pull his lips away. He spoke again against Viktor’s mouth, “Send me a message if you need me, I’ll keep my phone nearby.” 

Jayce pulled away then, he glanced at Mel, visibly uncomfortable, before hurrying out the door. Viktor noted the guilt and tension on Jayce’s face, and once again, he was confused by why Jayce seemed to feel so deeply connected to his counterpart’s mistakes.

Viktor shifted his weight onto his cane, studying her for a moment before speaking. “Would you like tea?”

Mel hesitated, caught off guard by the question. “Oh, no, I—” She waved a hand dismissively, clearly unsure of what to say.

“I am going to make tea,” Viktor interrupted, his voice calm but firm as he moved toward the kitchen. “You can have some if you want, or you don’t. It doesn’t matter. I am making it anyway.”

Mel blinked at his bluntness before recovering. “Oh. Well then…thank you. Yes, I would like some tea.”

Viktor nodded and turned away, leaving her standing awkwardly in the living room. He busied himself with the kettle, filling it with water and setting it on the stove. As he moved about the kitchen, retrieving mugs and tea bags, Mel lingered, her gaze wandering around the apartment.

“You know,” she began, her voice was tentative, “I’ve never been in your apartment before. All the years we’ve known each other, and I’ve never been inside.”

Viktor didn’t respond, his movements fastidious as he prepared the tea. He didn’t even glance in her direction, but the comment lingered in the air. He knew why she’d said it, even if she didn’t realize it herself. It was for his benefit, an unspoken reassurance that whatever had happened between her and Jayce, it hadn’t happened here. In his home.

Mel shifted slightly, clasping her hands in front of her. “Is it you who’s done all the plants on the balcony?” she asked, more conversational now. “I don’t see Jayce being much of a green thumb.”

Viktor hummed softly, a faint sound of agreement as he retrieved the now-boiling kettle and poured water into the mugs. He added the tea bags and slid one of the mugs across the counter in her direction without meeting her gaze.

“Would you like to sit down?” she asked, awkwardly motioning to the barstools.

“I am fine where I am,” Viktor replied evenly.

Mel hesitated before taking a seat at one of the stools anyway. She wrapped her hands around the mug but didn’t drink yet. “I am sorry, Viktor,” she said softly. “For my participation in…well…”

“Sleeping with my husband?” Viktor finished bluntly. He didn’t know why he suddenly felt…less forgiving now faced with her. He supposed his feelings were still lingering, left over from his past life. That anger and jealousy still lived within him no matter how he tried to process it and move on from it. He supposed if Jayce had decided to still befriend her he had not expected to actually have to witness it, that it could be this far away thing that he never had to see and thus could pretend to be the patient paragon of forgiveness he was trying to project to Jayce. So that Jayce may not feel the guilt of this thing he didn’t do…even if Viktor still felt raw that Jayce had slept with Mel even in their previous life.

Mel flinched, startled by his candor, and took a sip of tea. “Yes, well…yes.”

Silence hung heavy between them.

“Why are you here, Mel?” Viktor asked.

“To…apologize,” she admitted.

“You are forgiven.” It wasn’t entirely true, but he didn’t want to drag this thing out. He wanted it over with. He didn’t want to dwell on it any longer—what good would that do?

Mel blinked, shocked. “Just like that?”

Viktor moved around the island, using his cane to pull out a bar stool before sitting down. “What? Should I spend the rest of my life angry at you? Blaming you for something that Jayce chose to do?”

Mel looked down at her mug. “He…tried to end it a couple of times, and I, well…I…”

“It was his cock,” Viktor interrupted sharply. “He is my husband. You are not even a friend. You don’t owe me anything, and I have chosen to forgive him. So why wouldn’t I forgive you?”

Mel’s mouth opened, then closed, her composure momentarily faltering. “I suppose I thought I’d have to convince you.”

“You feel guilty for it, because you know me?” Viktor asked, actually curious. It was hard to imagine the Mel from his world coming to him like this, asking—begging for forgiveness. She was always so steadfast in her decisions.

“I… I suppose I told myself that you were dying,” Mel said hesitantly. “Jayce told me they gave you three to five years. That less was possible. And…I just…it seemed that…it wasn’t so wrong. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“That I would die, and you would slip in behind me?” Viktor asked, his voice as sharp as his words.

Mel flinched slightly. “When you put it like that, it sounds monstrous.”

“How long have you been in love with Jayce?” Viktor asked taking a breath. This roiling—boiling anger was not only his own. He could feel his counterpart’s influence creeping in at the edges. He needed to pull it back, clear his head to think without his influence.

Mel’s lips parted in surprise. “When I met him, all those years ago…he was…”

“Handsome?” Viktor finished for her.

“Yes,” Mel admitted with a faint, rueful smile. “Then I realized that you weren’t just his business partner, or his lab partner, but…his life partner. That made him unattainable. I could have my crush. I could want him from afar and feel safe in knowing it would never go anywhere. And I could hate you. I could be jealous of you. Then I discovered he was bisexual, and that silly crush—that false jealousy—became real. Years I had built him up in my mind, in my heart, desiring him because I couldn’t have him. And when there was just the slightest chance that I could…well, it felt like an affront that I couldn’t have him when it wasn’t like he was…completely off the table. I know that sounds bad, but…it was a fantasy.”

Viktor nodded slightly, prompting her to continue.

“Then you left,” Mel went on. “You were threatening to divorce him and…but he made you stay. He locked your contributions and research away, signed all the documents. No matter how much I tried to get him to sue, he refused. I should have seen it for what it was then. But we…we became closer. Friends, even, when you left. He chose to make Alex his official second and not his shadow partner, and without you there—there was a vacuum.”

She paused, hesitating before continuing. “I think he needed someone to talk to who wasn’t…connected to you in some way. He couldn’t talk to Caitlyn or Vi…or you. And so, I saw all the nastiness. I heard about everything bad going on, and in my head, it seemed like your relationship was going to be over soon. He was seeking me out and…all I saw of you was the fighting, the arguments, the cold shoulder, the…not having sex. All the while, he was becoming more flirtatious, sending me pictures all sweaty at the gym, and…I’m sorry, I shouldn’t—”

“No, please continue,” Viktor said, his voice steady but low, keeping his face as neutral as possible. His counterpart was overstepping. He could feel it so clearly now, the difference. Viktor now knew what it felt like because the other Viktor had never tried to do this to him before, creep in on a conversation actively happening.

Mel nodded, taking another sip of her tea. “You got diagnosed, and he…was reaching out for comfort. And well…I thought it was different. I thought this was how it went. Sure, he wasn’t going to leave you now, but he was done—checked out. And you were dying, so…”

“You saw only the ugly parts of us and assumed the love was gone,” Viktor said quietly.

“I…there’s no excuse, Viktor. And I apologize,” Mel said firmly, her voice trembling just slightly.

“I already forgave you,” Viktor replied.

“I’m serious,” she said, leaning slightly forward, as if trying to emphasize her sincerity.

“So am I,” Viktor replied simply.

They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the faint clink of Viktor’s cane resting against the counter. Finally, Mel broke it.

“I thought you would hate me,” she admitted. “I thought you hated me already. You never seemed to like me in the beginning. We never warmed up to each other.”

“I was standing between you and what you wanted,” Viktor replied evenly.

“No!” Mel protested. “Even…before…I just…he’s handsome. It was a little crush that I didn’t think would go anywhere because he was married, and to a man, no less. It wasn’t until years later that…it became more than a crush. But even then, you never seemed to care for me.”

“You were enticing him into taking larger and larger contracts. Defense contracts. Weapons,” Viktor said, his voice sharp. “And I wasn’t a fan of that.”

Viktor didn’t need to know much about this world to know that. There were somethings that didn’t seem to differ and this was one, he knew it.

“Before that, even,” Mel pressed.

Viktor tilted his head, considering her words. He didn’t know the full scope of time Mel had spent in their counterpart’s lives, but he knew she had been their first supporter, their first investor in Hextech. It was possible she had been first in line in this life as well. “You are a beautiful woman and his type. Do you blame me, or are you surprised that I am a jealous, possessive person?”

“I’m surprised you’re forgiving me…him…if that’s true,” Mel admitted.

“It is that, or…” Viktor paused, his gaze drifting to the window, darkness was creeping in at the edges. “I love Jayce, and I can forgive him this. It would also make him happy for me to forgive you. I do not want to punish him for grieving me and not knowing how to handle it, express it, when he had no one to be completely honest with—or that he felt that way.”

No matter what Jayce had ever done, in any life, Viktor knew there would always be forgiveness. He believed it was why they were here because why else would his counterpart have called for them otherwise. If he had simply wished for the disconnection, he could have gone forward with it but no…the man had waited. Hid his evidence and petition in a locked drawer until he found another solution. The well of love and devotion ran deep for both of them.

Mel studied him carefully before speaking. “Jayce asked me if we could be friends.”

“Ah,” Viktor was unsurprised.

“I wanted to speak to you before I gave him an answer,” Mel said.

“You want to say yes,” Viktor said as a statement.

Mel hesitated. “Did he talk to you about it?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable,” she said, her voice soft.

“If it made me uncomfortable, he would not have asked,” Viktor replied.

“So…you approve,” Mel asked cautiously.

This was Viktor’s chance. He could say no, could tell her he didn’t want her pursuing this friendship, that he had thought his forgiveness for her was boundless but found, sitting here in front of her, that it wasn’t. But what came out of his mouth instead was, “I am choosing to trust my husband…and you. Yes.”

Mel’s shoulders relaxed, the tension melting away as relief crossed her face. “I hope that…well, maybe it’s too soon, but I hoped that maybe we could become friends as well.”

Viktor regarded her for a long moment, thoughtful. Finally, he said, “Perhaps in time.”

Mel smiled faintly. “Thank you, Viktor.”

--------------

Jayce adjusted the weights on the bench press, sweat glistening on his forehead as he finished his set. Vi stood nearby, her arms crossed, waiting for her turn.

“So, I’ve got that fight next week against Fletcher,” Vi said, taking a step closer to spot him. “You and Vik are coming, right? I need to turn in my list for the family seats by tomorrow.”

Jayce racked the bar and sat up, wiping his face with a towel. He just rolled with his reply. He knew that Vi did some kind of professional fighting from their texts, “Yeah, of course. What day is it again?”

“Wednesday night,” Vi replied, smirking as she tossed a fresh towel at him. “Don’t flake.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Jayce said, grinning as he stood and stretched. He would need to remember to put it in his calendar and tell Viktor. “Can you—uh—text me the details?”

“No shit,” Vi said, taking over the bench press and adjusting the weights. “Speaking of plans, I’m supposed to tell you—uh, ask you—if we can do pumpkins on Sunday at your place.”

Jayce had almost forgotten about the strange squash tradition, “Oh, yeah that should be alright.”

“Cait’s already got it covered,” Vi grunted as she began her set, “She’s got all the carving tools and shit ready. You and Vik wanna come to Hilltop Hollow with us? Powder and Ekko are bringing Isha.”

“When?” Jayce asked, standing behind the bench to spot her. He had no idea what she was inviting him to, he would have to file it in his mind to search when he got home.

“Saturday morning,” Vi said doing another rep, “It’s got a bunch of kid stuff, corn maze—apple cider doughnuts—pie—and shit. But they also have like beer and carnival food so it should be a good time even if it’s out in bum—fuck—nowhere.”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Jayce said thoughtfully. “Actually…I was thinking of taking Vik out Friday night. Like, you know, a proper date.”

Jayce had been thinking about it for a couple days actually. It felt like they were dropped in this world and they skipped forward. He had just fully comprehended the full scope of his affection for Viktor, realizing it was…more than he ever knew, and then they were dead…and then they were husbands. He didn’t dislike it, he loved it. It felt like a truth he never got to realize but that also meant that all the romance had already happened in these lives.

He missed out on courting him, sure there were vague memories and sure he and Viktor meshed together so well already it wasn’t like he needed to convince Viktor he would be a good lover. But he felt like Viktor deserved that courting, deserved to be swept off his feet and romanced. After everything that happened on Monday it felt even more important.

Yes, he knew that it wasn’t him. He also knew that a lot of his feelings of guilt were bleeding over from his counterpart. It was hard to differentiate because it was so close to his own feelings but he knew that it wasn’t all him. Viktor forgave him—though there was nothing to forgive—but that didn’t mean that Viktor didn’t deserve to be shown the extent of Jayce’s feelings.

Between breaths, Vi raised an eyebrow. “What’s the issue? You take him on dates all the time, don’t you?”

Jayce shifted uncomfortably. “Uh…sure…do I?”

Jayce didn’t know the regularity in while their counterparts did romantic things but from what he knew of at least the last two months it was possible that it’s been a while.

Vi racked the bar and sat up, rolling her shoulders. “Don’t you guys go out to dinner, like, twice a week? Isn’t that a date?”

Jayce frowned as they moved stations and sitting back on the shoulder press. “I don’t think it counts as a date when it’s routine. That’s just us going out to eat. A date is…a date is something special. Romantic. I want to spoil him, make him feel good.”

Vi snorted as she crossed her arms, watching him do his set. “Dude, what the fuck did you do?”

Jayce’s heart stopped for a moment. “What? Why does it mean I did something?” Jayce said defensively, his face flushing. Sure...yeah, his counterpart did something, but it wasn’t him and it wasn’t the motivator behind this. He just…wanted ideas of where to take Viktor in this city because he had only been to like—5 places and none of them were a nice restaurant.

“Because you already spoil that man,” Vi shot back, grinning. “You do flowers and all that mushy stuff without blinking. So yeah, what’d you do?”

“How? How do I spoil him?” Jayce demanded as he rose handing the machine over, because of what he knew of his counterpart, there didn’t seem to be a lot of spoiling happening as of late, “I feel like I’ve been neglecting that duty.”

Vi laughed, shaking her head as she sat down. “You know what? Hell yeah, that’s true. You’ve been slacking. I should take Cait out too.”

“I was not suggesting a double date,” Jayce muttered, narrowing his eyes.

“Fuck you, neither was I.” Vi smirked, “So, what’s the deal? What’s got you so worked up about this date?”

 “I just…I want it to be grand, you know? Sweep him off his feet. Make him forget…everything.”

Vi gave him a skeptical look. “Okay. You could’ve just said you wanted to go on a nice date, but you’re acting weird. So, what’d you do, man? What’s he needing to forget?”

“Why can’t it just be…the situation?” Jayce countered, not meeting her eyes. He wasn’t going to talk about it. He was having a hard time not taking the guilt on himself without saying out loud that he was the one who did it to a third party. The only way he would be able to talk about it to Vi would be to assume the actions onto himself and he couldn’t do that.

“Because if it was, you would’ve just said that.” Vi made a face and released the bar to lean forward her elbows on her knees. “No, you fuckin’ did something. So, spill. What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Jayce said firmly, “If you’re done, I’ll do another set.”

Vi stood and made a dramatic gesture of giving the machine over to him, then crossed her arms watching him for a long moment, “Okay…so what did that other version of you do, then?”

Jayce froze, his heart stalling and eyes widening as he stared at her. “What do you mean?”

“You keep saying there are other versions of you,” Vi said, leaning in. “you said something at the Last Drop, and something like that to Cait before the dinner party. When you talk about you and Vik struggling, you separate yourself. Like it wasn’t you. So…what big bad deed did the ‘other’ you do?”

Jayce swallowed hard, his mind racing. He knew he had stumbled and made a couple of slips, but he didn’t think they had been that noticeable. Viktor was so much smoother at this, you would think that after experiencing it once he would be better at it but when he thought about it he hadn’t needed to try and hide who he was when he was in the wasteland.

Finally, he said, “Anything I’ve done, I’ve been forgiven for. And anything Viktor has done, he’s been forgiven for. We’re moving forward. That’s it.”

There was no room in this new world to be taking on his counterpart’s burdens and he refused to continue to feel guilty for something he would never do.

Vi studied him, clearly unconvinced. “You keep telling me there isn’t a therapist involved, but you’re not convincing me. Seriously, dude, this sounds like couples therapy shit.”

Jayce sighed, shaking his head. “All I wanted was to ask what you thought—like, where I could take him that he’d enjoy. Something romantic.”

Vi straightened up, rolling her neck. “Bro, I’m the least romantic person you know. I took Cait to an arcade and the Last Drop on our first date.”

“Not helpful,” Jayce muttered.

“I’m serious! I hate all that fussy shit. It’s one of the things we fight about—‘You never do anything romantic.’ And I’m like, ‘Why do candles and flowers and expensive dinners have to be what you think is romantic?’” Vi shook her head. “I’ve gotten better about flowers, though. But dude, you already do that romance shit on your own.”

“So, no ideas for places or things?” Jayce asked.

Vi thought for a moment. “I took Cait to the aquarium once, and she loved it.”

Jayce’s eyes lit up. “Huh…V would probably enjoy the aquarium.”

Vi shrugged grabbing her water bottle. “So, you’re seriously not going to tell me what you did?”

Jayce shook his head, smirking slightly. “I didn’t do anything. Now, let’s get back to your fight. Wednesday night, right?”

“Yeah.” Vi gave him a lingering look, but she let it go, heading to the next machine.

--------------

Jayce got home to a dark apartment, the only light was in the foyer as he took off his shoes, the living room was a black hole. There was only a soft flickering light barely coming from the bedroom’s open door as he went farther in. There were two mugs on the island, but it was obvious Mel was gone.

“V? Viktor?” he called softly.

“I’m in here,” came Viktor’s voice from the bedroom.

Jayce followed the sound, stepping into the bedroom and spotting the flicker of warm candlelight emanating from the bathroom. Viktor was reclining in the tub framed by the doorway, his face covered in a grayish mud mask with his hair up in a bun, and Jayce found himself momentarily speechless. The sight struck him as achingly beautiful—Viktor, serene and bathed in soft, golden light, the hint of bubbles floating in murky water, and the faint scent of something herbal hanging in the air.

“One of your gifts came today,” Viktor said, his eyes closed but his lips quirked in amusement. “It was a box of face masks. I had to mix this one myself with apple cider vinegar.” Viktor opened his eyes, glancing at him. “There were also some socks.”

Jayce smiled, the fondness evident on his face. “Do you like it? I didn’t know you’d have to mix it.”

“It was like an experiment,” Viktor replied, his tone tinged with dry humor. “I do like it. How many more boxes should I expect?”

“A lot,” Jayce admitted with a laugh, kneeling by the edge of the tub. “Most of them should be delivered tomorrow.”

Viktor’s eyes roamed over him, taking in his post-gym attire of jeans and a fitted T-shirt. “Did you already shower?”

“Yeah.” Jayce rested his arms on the edge of the tub and laid his head on them, watching Viktor through heavy-lidded eyes.

“Mm. Too bad,” Viktor murmured. “You could have joined me, though I think I am almost done.”

“Still can, if you want,” Jayce offered.

“How was the gym with Vi? It seems to be a routine for you now. Do you like it?”

“Yeah…” Jayce said absently as he stood, peeling off his clothes. He liked the way Viktor’s eyes tracked his movements. Once stripped, Jayce climbed into the tub behind Viktor, settling in with the other man between his legs. The water was warm but no longer hot, and the bubbles had mostly dissipated, leaving the water tinged a yellow-green from one of the bath bombs Viktor had used.

“How did it go with Mel?” Jayce didn’t know how he felt about her coming here, about her speaking to Viktor.

“It was,” He paused, “enlightening.”

Jayce nodded and nuzzled his neck, “Good enlightening or bad?”

“That remains to be seen.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Jayce broke it. “I want to take you on a date.”

Viktor shifted slightly in the water, craning his neck to glance at him. “A date?”

“Something romantic.” Jayce ran his hand lazily down Viktor’s arm, tracing the wet surface of his skin.

“I think what we are doing right now is very romantic,” Viktor replied, leaning back into Jayce’s chest.

Jayce pressed a kiss to Viktor’s shoulder. “You don’t feel like we skipped a few steps?”

Viktor reached around to take Jayce’s arms, wrapping them securely around his waist. “I feel like we are moving at a pace that feels comfortable for us. I feel like we have known each other a long time and have loved each other a long time, and the idea that we have skipped anything is silly.”

Jayce sighed, resting his chin on Viktor’s shoulder. “We’re married here. Do you feel…married? Don’t you wish we got to experience it? Like…like it was taken away from us a little bit?”

“My face is starting to crack,” Viktor said dryly, leaning forward to dip his hands into the water. He began to carefully wash the mud off his face, the gray mask dissolving and leaving faint remnants floating on the surface.

Jayce didn’t move, his eyes fixed on Viktor, his chest tightening at the sight. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to how much he loved him—how even the simplest moments, like this, could make his heart ache in the best way.

Viktor reached for a clean rag hanging from one of his mobility bars and dabbed his face dry. When he finished, he turned back toward Jayce, his skin fresh and glowing in the dim candlelight. To Jayce, he looked no different than before—still unbearably beautiful.

“I do not feel like I have missed out on anything, Jayce,” Viktor said as he relaxed back against him. “If anything, I am just grateful to have this life and this time with you.”

“Fuck,” Jayce murmured, burying his face in Viktor’s damp neck. “So…no to the date?”

“I didn’t say no,” Viktor replied, a faint smile in his voice. “I’m just wondering what is prompting this. I hope it has nothing to do with your counterpart’s actions.”

Jayce chuckled, his breath warm against Viktor’s skin. “I just want to wine and dine you. Sweep you off your feet.”

“Hm,” Viktor hummed thoughtfully. “The water is getting cold.”

Jayce stood from the bath, though he felt like he’d just gotten in. He could tell when Viktor wasn’t in the mood for a conversation. He grabbed the towel hanging from the bar and held it open, waiting as Viktor gingerly maneuvered himself out of the water. Jayce wrapped him in the towel before stepping away to fetch one for himself.

Viktor dried off methodically, hanging his towel neatly back on the bar before heading into the bedroom, completely nude. Jayce lingered for a moment, going around the bathroom to blow out the candles, their soft flicker extinguished one by one. Wrapping his towel around his waist, he followed Viktor. Uncertainty settling in his chest. He couldn’t quite figure out why Viktor didn’t seem more interested in the idea of doing something romantic with him.

When Jayce stepped into the bedroom, Viktor had already flicked on the sconce above his nightstand. He was propped up against the pillows, the covers pulled up to his hips. Even though he was mostly hidden by the sheets, Jayce knew he was naked, waiting for him.

“Join me, darling,” Viktor called softly.

Jayce dropped his towel and slid into bed, draping himself over Viktor like a heavy blanket. He relaxed into the warmth of his partner’s body, their limbs tangling naturally.

“So, you want to do something romantic?” Viktor asked, his fingers idly tracing patterns on Jayce’s back. “I want you to explain why you feel it necessary.”

Jayce propped himself up slightly to meet Viktor’s gaze. “It’s not necessary—it’s just nice. Don’t you want that?”

Viktor tilted his head, his expression contemplative. “I’ve never put much mind to romance. I do not think I have ever been on a date, even when my…carnal appetites were being well fed.”

Jayce laughed, shifting until he was more on top of Viktor. “Your carnal appetites, huh? When was this?”

“Before I met you,” Viktor replied smoothly.

“Oh yeah? And who was feeding them?” Jayce teased, leaning down to kiss Viktor’s chest.

“Many, many beautiful men,” Viktor said, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Jayce bit his nipple in mock retaliation, drawing a startled laugh from Viktor. “You trying to make me jealous? Because it’s not going to work when I’ve got you naked in bed with me. Under me, even.”

Viktor pushed lightly at Jayce’s chest. “I am not trying to start anything. We are talking.”

“Fine,” Jayce relented, settling against him again. “So…you’ve never been on a date, and you don’t want to let me take you out?”

“I never said I don’t want it,” Viktor replied with a soft sigh. “It’s just not something I have ever contemplated. Romantic things were so far outside what I thought about—think about.”

Jayce shifted slightly as he studied Viktor’s face. “So, think about it. Apparently, my counterpart brought yours flowers on a regular basis.”

“I think,” Viktor began, “my counterpart enjoyed plants, and I enjoy plants. So, flowers are…nice. I would like to receive them generally.”

“Ha! ‘Generally’—but not romantically?” Jayce teased.

“What is the difference?” Viktor asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

Jayce smiled, his fingers tracing absent patterns on Viktor’s arm. “I guess it’s how they’re received. I was wanting to surprise you Friday with a whole plan, but now I’m wondering if I need to warn you.”

“You’ve already planned it?” Viktor asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Yep,” Jayce said, the word popping.

“What does it entail?” Viktor was suspicious now, though his eyes softened with affection. “Jayce, I do not think I would enjoy some stuffy dinner and whatever else people do on dates. Rose petals everywhere? Spending unnecessary money? You realize I am happy as we are. Just this feels…” Viktor paused, his eyes locking onto Jayce’s, honey warm, “like an apology.”

Jayce sighed, resting his forehead on Viktor’s chest. “It’s not an apology. I mean, not really. I wouldn’t just take you to a stuffy dinner with rose petals everywhere. You think I don’t know you….” Jayce stalled a flicker of something, and he felt the word on his lips but he stopped and rerouted, “…V?”

Viktor huffed softly, his lips twitching. “What was that?”

Jayce rolled onto his back, exhaling heavily. “I just…I want to call you something else. I call you V all the time.”

“It is what you call me,” Viktor said, turning onto his side to look at him. “You have been calling me…‘baby’ lately. I do not mind it.”

“I don’t like it,” Jayce admitted, frowning slightly. “I don’t think I want to call you what he called him.”

Viktor reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Jayce’s forehead. “You can call me ‘darling,’ too.”

Jayce shook his head. “No. I feel like he’s creeping in on me, V. Like sometimes I feel like…I’m me, but also him. Like I’m becoming him, or he’s becoming me. Just then…I almost called you ‘baby,’ and for a moment, I could feel him loitering inside me.”

Viktor shifted closer, his hand now cupping Jayce’s jaw. “Tell me.”

Jayce hesitated, his eyes searching Viktor’s face. “I think he’s trying to take over sometimes. Like he just slips in and squats inside my mind. Your hypothesis…”

“Hm. That is very concerning, Jayce,” Viktor said, his voice soft but serious.

Jayce closed his eyes for a moment, gathering himself. “I just want something affectionate to call you…something that’s mine. Different.”

Viktor’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “What do you have in mind, my love?”

Jayce thought for a moment, his brows furrowing. “Something from our world, maybe…like ‘The Herald—’”

“You are not going to call me that,” Viktor interrupted with a sharp laugh. “I thought this was a real conversation.”

“It is! It is,” Jayce laughed, holding up his hands in mock defense. “Okay, how about… ‘honey’ or ‘sweetheart’?”

Viktor tilted his head, his expression skeptical. “Ehh, I do not think they fit.”

“Hmm.” Jayce hummed trying to think of words that would fit how he felt about Viktor. “‘Star’? ‘Rune’? ‘My star’? Oh, what about ‘treasure’? Do you like ‘treasure’?”

Viktor leaned back slightly, looking thoughtful. “Say something with it.”

Jayce smiled softly, leaning closer. “I love you, treasure.”

“Mm.” Viktor shifted, adjusting so he was face-to-face with Jayce. “I don’t dislike it. But it doesn’t seem to roll off the tongue easily.”

Jayce tried a few more, his voice growing softer with each suggestion. “‘Dearest,’ ‘beloved,’ ‘precious’…oh,” he paused, his eyes lighting up and propping himself up on his elbow. “I like that. Precious.”

“Mmm.” Viktor watched him taking his bottom lip between his teeth, his voice low as he said, “Call me it.”

Jayce’s grin widened, and he leaned down, his lips brushing Viktor’s ear as he whispered, “How do you like it, precious?”

The effect was instant. Viktor’s eyes fluttered closed, his legs shifting slightly beneath the sheets as a flush crept up his neck. Jayce felt his heart swell, knowing he’d found the right one.

Jayce leaned down and pressed his lips to Viktor’s mouth and it quickly devolved. Tongues and teeth and hands. Nails dug, toes curled, and bodies undulated until everything was soft and tired.

--------------

They had leftovers for breakfast. Viktor left for school soon after, leaving Jayce alone and to his own devices for another day. The boredom was starting to gnaw at him, and he felt like he might go insane with it. He knew he was supposed to be coming up with a plan to address Talis Tech’s weapon contracts, but the enormity of the situation left him frozen. Instead, he defaulted to cleaning. Again.

By mid-morning, the monotony was broken by the arrival of a multitude of boxes at their door. He unpacked them one by one, starting with the projector screen. Installing it meant climbing a ladder to hang it securely from the ceiling. Then he organized the new records with the others and cleared off one of the shelves to make room for all the disk films he got and housed the projector with them while it wasn’t being used.

Once that was done, he turned his attention to his forge project. He didn’t need instructions. He could build a forge from memory alone. He spread the materials across the lab and got to work assembling it properly. Brick by brick, he meticulously built the structure, the mortar thick and sticky on his hands. Sweat slicked his bare chest and back as he worked, his muscles flexing with the labor. He was lost in concentration, his mind blissfully quiet for the first time that day. He was a machine and the only thing he needed to do was make this forge.

“Am I interrupting?” Viktor’s voice cut through his concentration.

Jayce looked up to see Viktor standing in the doorway, leaning lightly on his cane, his eyebrows raised in quiet amusement.

“You’re home?” Jayce asked, blinking at the interruption.

“Yes,” Viktor replied, stepping into the room. “Have you spent the entire day in here?”

“No…” Jayce paused, running a hand through his damp hair. “I cleaned the bathroom and hung the projector screen first.”

“Ah,” Viktor said, clearly amused, “Well, I was under the impression that I had a doctor’s appointment at four, but if you’re busy, perhaps we can reschedule?”

Jayce froze, his eyes darting to his phone on the workbench. He swiped it up and saw two missed messages from Viktor. The clock read 3:37.

“God damn it. No! We’re going to this!” Jayce sprang to his feet, grabbing a clean rag to wipe his hands. “Let me get dressed.”

Viktor’s laughter followed him as Jayce dashed out of the room. He quickly scrubbed himself down with a warm rag, pulled on jeans and a long-sleeved Henley, and grabbed his jacket. Within minutes, they were out the door and in the car.

As Jayce drove, Viktor glanced at him from the passenger seat. “What are we hoping to accomplish today? Do we just want to know what the experimental treatment is…or perhaps decide if I should start it again?”

“You seem better without it, don’t you? How do you feel? Not sick anymore?”

“I am still sick, Jayce,” Viktor replied, his tone matter of fact. “But not nauseous.”

“That’s something, at least. So, what’s bothering you most now?”

“My chest,” Viktor admitted, adjusting himself slightly, it still made him uncomfortable to be open about his physical situation. It took a lot knowing that Jayce would be hands on in his treatment process. “The mornings are the worst. There’s a dull ache that lingers throughout the day, but it’s manageable. My pain is higher than with the treatment, but it’s still lower than what I was used to in my old body.”

Jayce frowned. “Your pain is higher? But you’re taking those pain meds.”

Viktor nodded. “The treatment dulled everything, even the pain. Without it, I feel more present in this body. It was starting to feel like a dream before.”

Jayce gripped the steering wheel tighter. “So, the experimental treatment made you numb on top of…everything else? Why would your counterpart want to feel numb and sick?”

“It’s not about wanting to feel sick, Jayce.” Viktor replied. “It’s about trading one set of sensations for another. My counterpart made that trade, just as I did with the Hexcore. It’s a desperation you can’t understand unless you live it.”

“I broke my leg in the wasteland—” Jayce began, but Viktor cut him off sharply.

“Do not finish that sentence,” Viktor said, his voice firm but not unkind. “You experienced a fraction of what my body has felt my entire life. I love you, darling, but even now, you do not understand the desperation of wanting to feel anything else besides constant persistent pain.”

Jayce opened his mouth, then closed it, the weight of Viktor’s words sinking in.

The rest of the drive was quiet, Jayce resting his hand on Viktor’s thigh while Viktor’s hand covered his. The only sound was the dispassionate voice of the map giving them directions. Finally, they pulled into the parking lot of a small, unassuming building in a less affluent part of the city. It was part of a strip mall, wedged between a pharmacy and an unbranded office.

“Well…this doesn’t look promising,” Jayce said, cutting the engine.

“We cannot judge just from the outside,” Viktor countered, unbuckling his seatbelt.

“I wasn’t… You’re right,” Jayce admitted.

Viktor smirked. “You should skip over the part where you try to defend yourself and just agree with me immediately.”

“Ha-ha. Hilarious.”

“I am,” Viktor quipped as they exited the car.

They approached the glass door labeled Dr. Reveck’s Pulmonary Practice. Inside was a small, slightly outdated waiting room. The walls were painted beige, the seats a faded blue. A woman sat behind a glass partition, her expression bored.

Jayce approached the desk, Viktor trailing behind as he surveyed the room.

“Hi, I’m Jayce Talis. I’m here with my husband, Viktor Talis. We have an—”

“Appointment at four. Yes, Mr. Talis, I know who you are,” the woman interrupted without looking up, turning the page of her magazine. “The doctor will be ready shortly.”

Jayce blinked at her tone but stepped back toward Viktor, who had taken a seat. They sat in silence, the only sound the hum of an old ceiling fan.

After a few minutes, a nurse appeared and called Viktor’s name, gesturing for them to follow her down the hall. She led them to a small office, that was half office—half exam room where she took Viktor’s weight, blood pressure, and asked a few cursory questions before leaving, saying the doctor would be in shortly.

The nurse left, closing the door behind her with a soft click. Jayce took the opportunity to look around the room, and Viktor followed his gaze. The office was…fairly eccentric from what one would usually think of a health care. It was far warmer and inviting. The walls were painted in a muted, earthy green, and the furniture—worn leather chairs and a sturdy wooden desk—made it feel more like a home visit than a doctor’s office. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with tomes of various sizes and subjects. Among the books were jars filled with preserved organs floating in murky liquid, their labels faded. A collection of taxidermized animals adorned the shelves and corners, their glass eyes staring blankly into the room. Above the desk hung a framed display of pinned butterflies.

“I can see why my counterpart liked this place,” Viktor murmured, breaking the silence.

Jayce’s brows shot up. “Really? Don’t you think it’s creepy? He’s got a…heart in a jar.”

Viktor shrugged. “He is a doctor. Why wouldn’t he?”

“I don’t know,” Jayce replied, glancing at the shelves again. “I’ve never seen a doctor have something like that.”

Viktor hummed in nonchalance, but before Jayce could push the topic further, the door swung open.

Viktor’s heart stuttered. The man who entered the room was unmistakably him. Dr. Reveck—if that was his real name here—was Singed. He looked as Viktor remembered him before the burns and scars. Like an older version of who Viktor had known as a child. Back before he took on the moniker Singed, when Viktor had known him only as—the Doctor.

“Good afternoon, Viktor,” Dr. Reveck said, his eyes flicking between Viktor and Jayce. “Mr. Talis is joining us as well?”

“Yes, I’m staying,” Jayce said firmly, his hand briefly brushing Viktor’s shoulder.

“Ah.” Dr. Reveck moved to sit behind the desk and gestured for them to join him. “Well, I wasn’t expecting you until November third for your next injection. The appointment notes state that you’ve stopped taking your medication until further notice. May I ask why?”

Jayce helped Viktor down from the examination table, and they both settled into the high-backed chairs across from the doctor.

“He’s still taking the Pirfenidone and Nintedanib but the experimental treatment is making him sick,” Jayce began, his voice steady but tense. “Nausea and headaches. I couldn’t find any good information about it on…uh, Google, so we wanted to talk to you. Get a clear idea of what exactly Viktor is taking.”

Dr. Reveck leaned back slightly, appraising Jayce with an unnerving calm. “And it was at your insistence that your husband stop the medication that could very well save his life?”

“No, doctor,” Viktor interjected. “I made that choice.”

Viktor had a lot of history with the doctor in his world. He spent months caring for Rio as a child. He learned so much from him, he was Viktor’s first mentor…Viktor’s first friend. What had happened to the creature had been horrific but eventually Viktor thought he understood. That preserving life was more important than the methods used to do so. But now, after the Hexcore…after death and everything…. He did not think he believed that. That was the philosophy of a desperate dying man.

“And why is that Viktor?” Dr. Reveck tilted his head, his expression neutral.

Viktor took a measured breath. “The sickness was becoming worse than the pain. Jayce and I…” He nodded toward Jayce, who was sitting anxiously beside him, “felt it necessary to review the treatment—together—and determine if we wish to proceed.”

Dr. Reveck’s eyes flickered briefly to Jayce before returning to Viktor. “Very well. Let’s go over it.”

He opened a file on his desk, the crisp paper whispering as he flipped through the notes. “Your treatment regimen involves monthly injections of the serum, which you’ve been receiving. Along with this, there are the two oral medications—Reveck-2, which you are taking twice daily. These assist in slowing the progression of your idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, primarily by reducing inflammation and scarring in the lungs with the intent of reversing the scarring completely.”

Jayce nodded, his brow furrowing as he tried to absorb the information. Viktor’s ears immediately perked, reversing the scarring completely’—this was an attempt at a cure for an incurable disease. That seemed in line with the doctor he knew in his past life, and he understood why his counterpart was happy to work with him as well. Even the doctor in his world had never done anything to harm him, had only assisted him in his own endeavors. They spoke of philosophy and innovation. He was the genius who invented shimmer and created the creature that’s blood helped him evolve.

What he had done throughout his life was not necessarily harmless, but it was neutral in itself.

“In addition,” Dr. Reveck continued, flipping through the file on his desk, “there’s the supplemental oxygen therapy. I believe you were primarily using it at night.”

“Oxygen therapy?” Viktor asked. Viktor had not been…doing this. If it was something to be done at night, he had been neglecting it since waking in this body.

Dr. Reveck frowned slightly, flipping back a page. “That’s unusual. It’s listed as part of your prescribed treatments. Supplemental oxygen is particularly important during REM sleep, when oxygen levels tend to drop. It reduces strain on the lungs and helps prevent hypoxia during rest. The last time we spoke you indicated doing it nightly.”

Dr. Reveck’s eyes narrowed slightly and Viktor realized he needed to recover quickly, “When I stopped the experimental treatment I also…stopped all else... I continued taking the …”

“Pirfenidone and Nintedanib—as well as his pain medication,” Jayce interjected, he spent more time going over Viktor’s medical files than he did and was more familiar with their names. His leg was bouncing causing his whole body to seem as if it was shaking and Viktor wished this all didn’t make Jayce so nervous.

“The oxygen therapy is normal and not experimental at all…though you should know this Viktor. Do you require a new concentrator?”

Viktor shook his head. It must be in their apartment somewhere, he was sure they would find it if he had been using it for sleep on a nightly basis.

Dr. Reveck cocked his head, “Have you noticed any difference since stopping the procedure?”

Viktor paused and thought of how every morning when he woke his chest was in pain. He wondered if there was a correlation, “I have been having chest pain…in the mornings.”

“Ah,” the doctor adjusted himself, “The last time we spoke—October third—you had reported less chest pain, so, that would be that then. I recommend you start again immediately Viktor. You should have contacted me the moment you thought to pause your treatments.” The man’s eyes flicked to Jayce for a moment before returning to Viktor.

Viktor nodded thoughtfully, filing the information away. “And the vapor?”

Dr. Reveck set the file down, folding his hands together. “A vaporized compound designed to open the airways and improve oxygen absorption as well as reduce and stop the progression of scar tissue forming. It complements the Reveck-2 and is most effective when used nightly. I assume you have ceased this as well.”

Jayce, seated beside Viktor, leaned forward. “So, the nausea and headaches—those are normal side effects for lung medication?”

“Potentially,” Dr. Reveck admitted. “Not uncommon at all for this trial. It’s possible the treatment interacts uniquely with Viktor’s physiology as well. If the nausea has been significant, I can prescribe something to manage it.”

Jayce frowned, his skepticism growing. “Shouldn’t there have been more tests? Bloodwork, scans, even a biopsy before you confirm the diagnosis? I just… I’m not a doctor, but isn’t that standard?”

Dr. Reveck tilted his head, his gaze calm but assessing. “The diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is often made through clinical imaging and symptomatology. Biopsies are not always conclusive and carry their own risks. Viktor’s scans and his response to treatment supported the diagnosis. However, if you’d like further tests, I can arrange for additional imaging.”

Jayce pressed his lips together, clearly unconvinced, but he glanced at Viktor for his opinion.

“I appreciate the clarification,” Viktor said, he knew Jayce was scared but the longer they spoke with the doctor the less Viktor was. “The treatment regimen seems thorough, but I admit I haven’t been as diligent in documenting my response to it.”

“That’s unlike you, Viktor,” Dr. Reveck said, a flicker of surprise in his voice. The man’s eyes narrowed again as if assessing him. “You’ve always been meticulous in your notes. I’d encourage you to maintain detailed records moving forward. It helps us refine the treatment.”

“I will,” Viktor agreed quietly, he needed to find these notes. They were probably somewhere in his study. Viktor hadn’t been inside since Monday when he found the divorce papers.

Dr. Reveck leaned back in his chair. “As you consider resuming the treatment, I suggest we return to the full regimen. That includes the Reveck-2 on top of the Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, the vapor, and the oxygen therapy. I’ll also prescribe medication to manage the nausea.”

Jayce exhaled sharply, clearly unhappy but refraining from speaking further. They went out to the front and waited for the new vial for the vapor. As the nurse packaged it in a little paper bag the receptionist held it for them, “As you know the trial is outside of your insurance, Mr. Talis. So for the vapor drops your total for today should be…$379. Will that be cash or card?”

Jayce had a deep frown on his face as he dug his wallet out and handed over one of the sleek little cards.

“Perfect, you’re all set. I already have you on the calendar for November third at 4:30 p.m. would you like to set up anything before then?”

Viktor took the offered paper bag. “I do not think that will be necessary. Thank you.”

She nodded, “Alright, your prescription for the anti nausea medication has been sent to your pharmacy. Should be ready for pick up tomorrow. You’ll get a text as normal.” She said then went back to her magazine and Jayce held the door open for him as they left the office and returned to their car.

Viktor glanced at Jayce as he strapped into his seatbelt. “You have thoughts.”

Jayce shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line as he started the car. “I don’t like him, Viktor. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about this whole thing feels… off.”

Viktor could understand Jayce’s discomfort. It was hard dealing with all this, and Jayce had never had to face something like this so involved in it as he was now, but seeing his old friend had put Viktor at ease somewhat. “I understand your concern, but I don’t feel the same apprehension now that we have met with him.”

Jayce glanced at him briefly, his eyebrows furrowing. “Why not? What makes you so comfortable around him?”

Viktor hesitated, organizing his thoughts. “Dr. Reveck… I know him in our past life. I knew him as a child, back in the undercity. He was my mentor. Back then, he was simply called ‘The Doctor.’”

“The Doctor?” Jayce repeated.

Viktor’s gaze dropped to his hands. “He taught me a lot about science and engineering. I owe much of my knowledge to him.”

Jayce’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “You sound like you really trusted him.”

“I respected him,” Viktor corrected. “But I was not blind to his faults. His methods were… unconventional. He always sought results, no matter the cost.”

Jayce glanced at him sharply. “What kind of ‘results’ are we talking about, Viktor?”

Viktor exhaled, “He created shimmer.”

“What?” Jayce’s hands jerked on the wheel before he steadied the car. “You mean that drug—what people were hooked on in the undercity? That shimmer?”

“Yes,” Viktor admitted calmly. “He developed it. But shimmer itself is not inherently evil, Jayce. Like any substance, it depends on how it is used. It has properties that can heal and enhance.”

Jayce’s expression darkened. “And you trust this guy? The man who invented shimmer? That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

Viktor’s tone remained steady. “He is not the one who weaponized it, Jayce. That was Silco’s choice, not his. You know as well as I do that circumstances shape people. Look at Silco here—a literature teacher, not a crime lord. The Doctor’s methods may seem extreme, but his intent has always been to push science forward.”

“Forward, huh? I’m not sure I agree that shimmer was forward.”

Viktor reached over to run a soothing hand over Jayce’s thigh, “Shimmer is a drug yes, it was used for terrible things, yes…but it also helped me with my research into the Hexcore. He...helped me evolve in the end with his work on…well, he helped me when I needed him. Always—whether I agreed with his methods or not.”

Jayce’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheel tighter. “Wait—are you saying this guy was responsible for… for what happened to you in the end? That god-like version of you—he made that happen?”

“Yes,” Viktor said simply. “But only because I asked him to. I wanted it, Jayce. It was my choice.”

“And now you want to trust him again?” Jayce’s voice rose, his frustration clear. “The guy who invented shimmer and turned you into that? You seriously think this is the person we should trust with your health?”

Viktor sighed. “He has my respect, and in some ways, my admiration. His methods are unorthodox, but you heard him. He seeks to cure this disease, not just prolong life. He thinks outside the normal. Wouldn’t you want that for me?”

Jayce’s voice tempered, but the tension didn’t leave his shoulders. “Of course I don’t want you to die, V. I just… I don’t know. There’s something about him that feels wrong.”

Viktor hummed thoughtfully, glancing out the window. “Hmm.”

--------------

Jayce opened the apartment door and stepped aside to let Viktor enter first. Viktor moved carefully, leaning his cane against the wall as he sat in the small chair in the foyer.

Jayce knelt down immediately, helping Viktor ease off his shoes, his fingers brushing against Viktor’s ankle in an absent, caring touch. “You’re going to let me find a second opinion, right?”

Viktor sighed, watching Jayce with a faint smile. “Yes, I’ve already agreed to it, darling.”

Jayce set Viktor’s shoes neatly by the rack and then took off his own. “I just… I got nervous because you seemed to like that guy.”

Viktor tilted his head, his smile growing faintly amused. “I know him.”

Jayce straightened and furrowed his brow, his arms moving along with his words as they started moving deeper into the apartment. “You mean… you know the one from our world and he was shady there, too.”

Viktor shrugged, placing his cane beside the kitchen counter as he leaned on it lightly. “His methods were not usual, but that did not make him ‘shady’.” Viktor made a face and waved his hand dismissively.

Jayce opened his mouth, then closed it again, frowning. He rubbed the back of his neck, searching for the words. “He creeped me out, V,” he finally said, his voice tinged with discomfort.

Viktor chuckled softly as he stepped closer. He wrapped his arms loosely around Jayce’s neck, tugging him gently into an embrace. “You and your counterpart can be so alike sometimes. It feels like we are replaying memories from this life anew,” he murmured, his voice affectionate as he ran a hand up the back of Jayce’s head. The growing fuzz felt like velvet.

Memories of the other Jayce insisting that Dr. Reveck was strange and unusual and his demand for more and different doctors. They were the same man in so many ways. Loving him and insisting on keeping him alive, not trusting anyone that might say something he didn’t want to hear, not trusting anyone who seemed to be making Viktor sicker, even if the medication had the possibility of curing him completely. Jayce wanted to keep Viktor safe and unharmed, wanted him to feel good and live despite any sicknesses he might have. He was so determined.

Jayce’s shoulders stiffened slightly as the warmth in Viktor’s voice collided with the sudden disgust at what had been said. His hands came up to Viktor’s sides, holding him there as he stared down at him somberly. “Don’t compare me to him. I don’t want to be compared to him.”

Viktor studied Jayce with soft understanding eyes, “I didn’t mean it like that,” he replied gently, but Jayce’s grip on him tightened. Viktor loosened his hold on Jayce slightly, but his hands stayed resting on Jayce’s shoulders, “Is he so awful?” Viktor asked softly, inquisitive rather than judgmental.

Jayce took a small step back, running a hand through his hair, frustration tightening his face but not far enough away to leave Viktor’s arms. “He was building so many weapons, V,” he began, his voice edged with something close to shame. “It’s not just a few—it’s hundreds, thousands even. He… was sleeping with Mel behind your back and acting like he was the victim.”

Viktor’s gaze remained steady, calm even, as he listened.

“And sometimes I wonder…” Jayce hesitated, his voice catching. “Am I capable of this? Would I have made the same decisions as he did? Because he is me, isn’t he?” His question hung heavily in the air, the weight of it pulling his broad shoulders down. Jayce paused, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. “You…You did. You made those horrible decisions—the same horrible decisions that other versions of you made. But then I realize… that was my fault too, wasn’t it? You wouldn’t have been able to become what you did if I hadn’t done what I did—if I could have just—”

“It seems you were not punished enough, hm?” Viktor interrupted, his dry humor cutting through the tension. “Shall you go sit on the couch, and we will do it again? Perhaps this time it might sink in fully.”

Jayce blinked, startled, before a chuckle broke from him, the unexpected levity loosening some of the tension in his chest. “God, no—I don’t mean—” He shook his head, still laughing softly. “—not that I wouldn’t enjoy that—I just mean, I want to be separate from what he’s done, V… but it’s hard to reconcile.”

He stepped closer to Viktor again, his hands returning to rest lightly on Viktor’s hips. “I guess now that I’ve been… properly punished for all my wrongs and his…” He gave a wry smile, but it faded quickly. “I don’t know what to do with it all—I don’t know how to fix it.”

Viktor’s hands rested on Jayce’s forearms, “Neither do I, Jayce. I am just as lost as you in all this. We will figure it out together, darling.”

Jayce frowned, his brows knitting together as he processed the words. “Really? Because it feels like you always know what to do, like you never need… help.”

“I need help all the time, Jayce,” Viktor replied.

Jayce huffed a short laugh, shaking his head. “You never ask me for help. You handle everything so well. You roll with all the punches, and it’s me standing here needing support.”

Viktor stepped closer, so there was barely even an inch between them and slipped his hands up to grip Jayce’s biceps. “You do not see yourself clearly, my darling,” Viktor said, “You help me constantly without me even having to ask for it.”

Jayce gave a small, disbelieving laugh, his lips curving in a self-deprecating smile. “Making breakfast and overstepping your boundaries aren’t really what I’m talking about.”

“There you go, downplaying yourself again,” Viktor said sharply, shaking his head. “I will not hear it.” He turned out of Jayce’s arms and reentered the kitchen. “Do you know where our counterparts went wrong?” he asked over his shoulder.

Jayce followed after him, leaning against the counter. “Where?” he asked.

“The same way we did, Jayce,” Viktor said, opening a cupboard to retrieve the tea. “They stopped communicating about the important things. They started splitting due to the company’s direction. Your counterpart did what he thought was right and lied—my counterpart was so divorced from the politics of running the company and funding that he didn’t notice for two years. Can you not relate to that?”

“It’s different!” Jayce argued, his voice rising slightly, but Viktor turned to look at him, one brow raised in challenge.

“Is it so?” Viktor asked pointedly.

Jayce faltered, his gaze dropping to the countertop. “I… we… I… guess it’s similar,” he admitted reluctantly, his voice barely above a murmur.

Viktor returned to his task, pouring water into the kettle as he continued, “For five years, the communication between them eroded. The trust eroded. Both stopped coming to each other for help.”

Jayce frowned again, his curiosity getting the better of him. “How do you know all this?”

“Context clues, my darling,” Viktor said, his voice carrying a note of wry amusement. “Context clues. They are everywhere.” He paused, taking a breath before continuing. “When my counterpart started to get sick—sick in a way that seemed similar to how his mother died—the fear of it made him hide it. And in the end, after years of forgetting how to trust and comfort each other, your counterpart went seeking comfort elsewhere, and mine…” He trailed off, glancing briefly at Jayce. “Well, mine was doing experiments in his study and creating the very scenario we are in now.”

“Seeking comfort elsewhere,” Jayce’s jaw tightened, “We weren’t together like this when I was with Mel, V. It’s completely different!”

Viktor turned, leaning back against the counter as he adjusted his cane for balance. His honey-brown eyes met Jayce’s, steady and thoughtful. “Your counterpart needed something that he felt he could not get from mine,” Viktor said softly.

“Is that an excuse?” Jayce asked, his voice low with frustration as he stared at Viktor, searching his face.

“No, I am just….” Viktor shook his head and trailed off as he turned and leaned against the counter, shifting some of his weight off his aching hip and leg. “Jayce, you are here, coming to me for comfort and help. I am accepting the comfort and help you freely give me. These two things would not have been possible without… what we did to each other in our world. Without experiencing what we experienced. Perhaps we, this,” he gestured between them with a faint smile, “is that reckoning for them.”

Jayce’s lips parted, the realization hitting him like a wave. “We are the lesson they need to learn to realize how to communicate again?” he asked. He looked down taking in the words. The ideas.

Viktor tilted his head thoughtfully. “Hm, maybe… or we are the consequences that lead to them making a decision—the same decision the two of us made at the end of everything.”

Jayce looked back to Viktor then, really looked at him. His body was the same and yet so different from the Viktor he had loved and lost. Perfect and lovely in a way that was entirely his own. His heart twisted as the weight of Viktor’s words settled in. “We are….” He hesitated, his voice catching. “They might choose to die together…. That’s what you mean.”

Viktor gave a small shrug, his expression unreadable. “Again, I am only speculating, Jayce. It makes me quite nervous that your counterpart seems to enjoy encroaching on you, I felt mine do it as well once… so I could be wrong entirely about everything.”

Jayce sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly, before stepping closer. Viktor had turned back to finish preparing the tea, but Jayce slid his arms around Viktor’s waist from behind, pulling him gently into his chest. Viktor hummed softly at the gesture, tilting his head slightly to glance back at Jayce.

“Are we done being melancholy and dramatic?” Viktor asked, a teasing lilt in his voice. “Can we enjoy what we have of these lives now and work on fixing them in time?”

Jayce smiled, his breath warm against Viktor’s temple. “Yeah, I’m done being a downer, precious. Wanna watch a film tonight on your new projector I got all hung up?”

“Did you get Princess Mononoke?” Viktor asked, his voice almost childlike in its hopeful curiosity.

“I did,” Jayce said, grinning. “I got the whole Studio Ghibli collection—vault-thing.”

Viktor turned fully in Jayce’s arms, his honey-colored eyes sparkling with fondness. He reached up to rest a hand on Jayce’s chest. “And you claim to be a poor partner,” Viktor said, his voice warm and teasing. “My darling, you are perfect.”

--------------

Viktor was still brushing his teeth when Jayce reentered the bathroom, freshly dressed in his sleep clothes. He leaned casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed. He tilted his head and observed Viktor with an easy smile.

“We should probably find your—uh—oxygen concentrator and your vapor steamer thing,” Jayce said after a moment.

Viktor paused mid-motion, the toothbrush hanging out of the corner of his mouth. He quickly finished brushing, spitting the minty foam into the sink and rinsing his mouth before answering. “They will probably be together,” he replied, wiping his mouth with a hand towel. “We should also look for the notebook where I kept track of all this. It is probably somewhere in my study.”

Jayce nodded, pushing off the doorframe. “Makes sense. Though, V, I’m not sure how I feel about you going back on all this stuff before we get a second opinion. The oxygen therapy? Fine. But the rest? Maybe we should still wait.”

Viktor set the towel down neatly and turned to face him. “I think I would like to give the trial another try,” he said carefully. “Tomorrow, we pick up the nausea medication. Tonight, I will do the vapor, and tomorrow we will restart the whole regimen. I will continue it until we find another doctor. At that point, we can reconsider what we want to do.”

Jayce sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly in reluctant acceptance. “Fine,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll look for your oxygen—thing.”

A small smile tugged at Viktor’s lips. He could see Jayce’s apprehension but appreciated his effort to support him despite it. Viktor felt a sense of reassurance about the treatment. While Jayce’s concern was valid, Viktor couldn’t shake the belief that the Doctor’s methods, as unconventional as they were, might genuinely help him. Yes, many of the Doctor’s practices had been ethically questionable—illegal even—but they were rooted in brilliance. He had always achieved his goals, creating feats of science that defied expectation.

The doctor—Singed—may have done terrible—horrific—things in their past life but this world was different from their own. The circumstances here shaped people in gentler ways. Viktor had already seen so many people who had been villains or dangerous in their previous lives now living as ordinary citizens. He was certain the Doctor was among them—changed by this world’s softer hand.

With that thought in mind, Viktor knelt to start his own search under the bathroom sink. Immediately his eyes located a familiar paper bag. It was the same as the one they got today from the doctor’s office leaning against a strange looking black device. Inside was the same bottle of drops they had purchased that day—half-empty. He then examined the small black device. It was a smooth shapely thing with a clear, curved cap that had a small hole at the top. It seemed self-explanatory enough to be the vapor steamer.

Straightening up, Viktor looked at the two items with mild amusement. “Well, that was easier than expected,” he murmured to himself.

From the bedroom, he heard a muffled clatter followed by Jayce’s voice, slightly strained. “I think I’ve found it, V!”

Viktor left the bathroom, carrying the drops and the steamer. As he entered the bedroom, he saw Jayce pulling a bulky machine out of the closet. It was black with a handle on top and what looked like air vents on the front. Jayce straightened, “It was in the closet with all your braces and stuff. Just looked like a big…box thing with knobs on it.”

Viktor crossed the room and set the items he’d found on the bedside table, his gaze drifting to the oxygen concentrator Jayce had just unearthed. It was larger than he expected but straightforward in design—functional, no frills.

“Seems we’ve located everything,” Viktor said gesturing to the steamer he left on Jayce’s nightstand.

Jayce grinned faintly, though the tension in his jaw hadn’t entirely disappeared. “Yeah.”

Viktor gave a small nod, picking up the steamer. “I think I will do this…vapor in the kitchen where I can sit down.”

Jayce glanced at him as he carried the oxygen concentrator by the bed. “You do that, and I’ll figure this thing out—then I’m hunting for your notes.”

Viktor hummed in agreement, then turned toward the kitchen, leaving Jayce to his task. He placed the vapor steamer on the counter. He ran his hands over the small machine, fingers brushing against a faint seam. Finding a hidden drawer, he slid it open and discovered a small reservoir with a clear “fill line” etched inside. He assumed this was where the water went.

Carrying the device to the sink, Viktor filled it carefully, watching as the water rose to the line. Returning to the counter, he plugged the steamer into the nearest outlet, the small device hummed faintly to life. He retrieved the bottle of drops from the paper bag and studied the label: “10 drops per 50ml of water.”

He unscrewed the cap, and Viktor counted ten drops but hesitated for a moment, eyeing the water. He couldn’t tell the exact milliliters, “Eh, it should be fine,” he muttered.

Satisfied, he slipped the drawer back into place, removed the clear cap from the top, and noted the single button on the front. Simple enough. With the press of the button, the machine hummed softly. After a minute or two the soft boiling of the machine finally created a steady stream of steam.

As the steam rose, Viktor leaned forward, resting his forearms on the counter. The scent of the vapor was medicinal—sharp and herbal, with an underlying metallic-ness that lingered in the back of his throat. It wasn’t unpleasant. The warmth spread through his chest and lungs as he took increasingly deeper breaths. Soothing the tight ache in his chest he had grown used to. His shoulders relaxed, and his mind emptied, drifting into a curious, calming blankness.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed when a hand gently caressed his back, and warm lips pressed against his temple. Viktor didn’t open his eyes, instead tilting his head slightly toward Jayce’s lips. It felt like waking from a dream even if he hadn’t been sleeping.

“Hm?” he murmured.

Jayce’s voice was low, his lips brushing Viktor’s ear as he spoke. “I found your notebook. Figured out the machine too—had the instructions in your nightstand. The notebook was in there too, funny enough. I can’t believe we never, like…looked in there.”

Viktor smiled faintly, his eyes still closed as he took a deep breath. The steam left his throat and lungs tingling pleasantly, and the usual pressure of breathing didn’t feel as tight. “We are usually more occupied with what is in yours,” he said dryly.

Jayce chuckled against him, leaning closer. “You look really serene like this,” he said softly. “It drives me nuts every time you wear this robe.”

Viktor opened his eyes and lifted his head, turning slightly to meet Jayce’s gaze. His partner looked at him with a mix of fondness and desire. “You probably shouldn’t be breathing this in, darling, hm?” Viktor said, his voice warm but teasing. “Can you set out my sleep clothes for me?”

Jayce smiled, though a sheepish flush crept across his cheeks. “Yeah, precious,” he replied. Leaning in, he kissed Viktor softly, his lips lingering for a moment before pulling away. “I’ll be waiting,” he added with an extra little peck.

Viktor watched Jayce retreat toward the bedroom, feeling a deep sense of contentment as he returned his attention to the steamer.

Viktor skin was damp when the vapor stopped. He felt a little warm and floaty like when he smoked the Lavender Haze with Jinx during the party. He carefully unplugged the steamer and carried it back to the bathroom passing Jayce who was already set up in bed with what he assumed was his notebook. He replaced the steamer and drops under the sink and patted his face dry with a soft towel. Viktor changed into his sleep clothes that Jayce thoughtfully set out at the foot of the bed. The bedroom was dimly lit by the sconce above Jayce’s nightstand. Jayce was propped up against the headboard with Viktor’s journal open in his lap. His brows were furrowed as he read, his lips pursed in concentration.

“Your counterpart was actually making his own serums and taking them, V,” Jayce broke the silence.

Viktor climbed into bed, settled himself against the pillows and adjusted the blanket over his lap. “We already knew that did we not?”

Jayce closed the journal but kept it resting on his lap, his eyes shifting to Viktor’s face. “Sure, but seeing you write it all out… how sick you were feeling from it. I don’t know, precious—it just makes me sad. How did my counterpart not notice this?”

Viktor sighed, his expression softening as he reached out to touch Jayce’s arm. “Who knows,” he said gently, before changing the subject. “How do I work this machine?”

Jayce seemed to snap out of his thoughts, setting the journal on his nightstand before getting out of bed. He moved to the oxygen concentrator, which he had set up earlier, and picked up a long, clear tube. At the end of it was a soft plastic circle that split into two small prongs. He brought it over to Viktor, his expression apologetic.

“This part goes in your nose,” Jayce explained, demonstrating as he handed Viktor the tube.

Viktor took it, “Well, this is very attractive,” he deadpanned, the dry humor making Jayce chuckle.

“I don’t care,” Jayce replied, crouching to turn the machine on. A low vibration filled the room, constant but not overly loud.

Viktor placed the prongs into his nostrils, adjusting them carefully before leaning back against the headboard. The steady flow of air was immediate.

“I guess that’s it,” Jayce said, watching him closely. “You just lay back and breathe all night.”

Viktor hummed in response, closing his eyes for a moment to focus on the sensation. The pressure in his chest felt less like breathing broken glass and more like the fuzziness of a sleeping limb. When he opened his eyes again, Jayce was climbing back into bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight.

Jayce rested his head against the headboard, his eyes drifting to Viktor. A small smile tugged at his lips.

“You kind of look like you’re at the hospital with that on,” Jayce said softly.

Viktor opened his eyes, turning his head just enough to glance at him. “Does it bother you?”

Jayce shook his head, “No… it just reminds me of that night.”

Viktor’s brow furrowed slightly. He took a deep breath. It left him feeling a little light-headed. “That sounds unpleasant,” he replied.

Jayce shrugged, his hand reaching out to brush over Viktor’s forehead, “I guess a little,” he admitted. “How do you feel?”

Viktor closed his eyes again, letting himself focus on the sensation in his chest. “My chest feels surprisingly… fine,” he murmured. There was an almost tentative quality to his words, as though he wasn’t entirely sure it would last.

Jayce chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. “That’s good.”

The room settled into a peaceful quiet after that, the steady hum of the oxygen machine blending with the soft rustle of pages as Jayce picked Viktor’s journal back up. Viktor let the soothing sounds, and the rhythmic cadence of his own breathing lull him. His body relaxed lower onto the bed until he was laying down fully, head in the pillows. The persistent ache in his chest feeling more like a dull echo now, distant and manageable.

It didn’t take long for sleep to claim him. Viktor was asleep before Jayce even thought to turn off the light.

Jayce glanced over at him, watching the even rise and fall of Viktor’s chest, the tubing secure in place. He reached out and gently turned the bedside lamp off, plunging the room into almost darkness.

“Goodnight, precious,” he whispered, kissing Viktor’s forehead and sinking with his head on Viktor’s chest, wrapping his arms around his partner to settle in for sleep himself.

--------------

Viktor set the containers of Pad Thai on Sky’s desk in the nurse’s office. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic, with a small potted plant perched on the windowsill and a cluttered desk piled with first-aid forms and student files. Sky grinned as she settled into her chair, unwrapping her chopsticks.

“You’re spoiling me,” she said, her tone teasing. “What’s the occasion, just because it’s Friday?”

Viktor glanced at her with a faint smile as he opened his own container. “It gives me an excuse to use the Uber Eats,” he admitted. He marveled at the sheer novelty of it. Food from anywhere he wanted, delivered to him? It was a luxury he could indulge in endlessly. The multitude of different foods of this world available to him with a few swipes of  a finger.

Sky raised an eyebrow as she pulled the lid off her noodles. “Just an excuse to use Uber Eats, huh? Can I make requests? How about Pate and Caviar on Monday?”

Viktor shrugged, taking a bite of his food before answering. He tried not to lose composure with his obvious enjoyment of the food, it was like every new thing he tried was better than the last. “You can make request when it is you who is buying the lunch.”

“Lame! I have to survive on my minuscule nurse salary while you’re over there rolling in weapons money,” Sky teased, digging into her own meal.

There was a moment of comfortable silence the stretched between them as they started eating. Viktor could not get a hang of the strange wood sticks they gave with these meals and had to go back to using the fork provided.

After a moment, he asked, “Any...hot dates this evening. What is the word on the Tinder Mechanic?” Viktor still didn’t understand why this man was called that; he didn’t understand what a Tinder Mechanic did exactly.

Sky pushed her food around with her fork, “Nothing planned for tonight. He stayed the night Friday and we’ve been talking, and he wants another date but I don’t know. He’s hot and all but I’m realized I might actually need someone that I can talk to who like…knows what the word cliché means.”

“Cliché?” Viktor slurped up some more of the peanutty noodles.

Sky heaved a sigh, “Yes. I was talking about something—I don’t even remember what it was now I was so floored—and I said it was cliché, and he stopped me and was like ‘What does that mean?’ and I was like…’what do you mean?’ and he said ‘that word, cliché, I’ve never heard it before, what does it mean?’ and I like froze up! I had no idea how to explain it at that moment. I had never met anyone who like…didn’t know what that meant before. I mean he’s done that before with other things but like it’s one thing not to know what ‘prophylactic’ means but cliché? I felt like I was in the twilight zone.”

“It is imperative to be involved with someone who can match with you intellectually.” Viktor added. He felt like Jayce was the perfect blend of physical and the mind. He matched Viktor in the lab and in their research—had concocted the theory that would become Hextech on his own he only needed a little push to get to the right track—but he was also fantastic at dealing with people and networking. He was also incredibly handsome and his body—his body.

Sky nodded, “Yeah, I logged back into the apps for the first time in like a month. Started talking to this doctor on Wednesday, building up to a coffee date maybe but he hasn’t made a move yet. It’s like pulling teeth to actually meet up with anyone. Absolute nightmare.  Michael is sweet though so I’m not sure if I do want to let it go…and again, he’s really good in bed.”

“Lasting relationships have been built on less.” Viktor paused in his eating and decided to go ahead and say it, “Jayce is taking me on a romantic date tonight.”

Sky froze mid-bite, her expression shifting to one of surprise before she leaned back in her chair. “A romantic date, huh?” she said, drawing out the words. Then, with a sharp edge to her voice, she added, “To assuage his guilt for having an affair?”

Viktor’s fork hovered in the air, his grip tightening slightly. He felt the familiar pang of regret he’d been having ever since Monday evening.

He hadn’t handled it well.

At the time, he’d thought confiding in Sky would help him untangle his feelings. She was a good friend in this world, and he had never had someone other than Jayce to talk to really and he had never really opened up about his emotional life to Jayce anyway. Sky could be someone he trusted implicitly. But what had started as an attempt to process his own complicated emotions from his past life had turned into something messier. Sky had taken his pain as her own, a loyal friend siding with him and carrying a grudge he didn’t feel.

It hadn’t been fair. And now, as he sat across from her, he realized just how poorly he had handled the whole thing.

The affair hadn’t even happened to him, not truly. Yet it had felt real enough in those first few hours, when the memories were raw and confusing, blending with his own unresolved feelings from their past life. Jayce’s counterpart’s affair had felt like an echo of what Viktor himself had felt when Jayce had told him of his relationship with Mel. He thought it would be the perfect vessel to work through all the lingering betrayal and jealousy, but he probably shouldn’t have said it at all. He should have just…. used something else. He could have found another way to process.

Now, he was left with the aftermath. Sky’s disdain for Jayce was obvious, and he didn’t know how to untangle it.

Viktor poked at his Pad Thai, his appetite fading under the weight of Sky’s glare. He sighed, setting the container aside, and leaned back in his chair. “How can I convince you not to hate him?”

Sky raised an eyebrow, leaning her elbow on the desk as she swirled a bite of noodles onto her fork. “You can’t,” she said flatly, her voice leaving no room for argument. “And you shouldn’t even try. Someone needs to hold that man accountable if you won’t.”

Viktor rubbed at the bridge of his nose, frustrated but unsurprised. “The date does feel like an apology,” he admitted, his voice quiet. “Though I don’t think he needs to apologize. We have already gone through it and I…just want to move forward.”

Sky stared at him incredulously, her fork halfway to her mouth. “Viktor, I know you love him,” she said, setting her food down with a sharp clink of plastic against wood. “And because you’re…well, because you’re dying, you don’t want to do the whole divorce thing. But the man does need to apologize. He should be groveling at your feet and begging for forgiveness every time he sees you. It’s the least he can do. I can’t believe him. I can’t believe he can live with the guilt of it. I hope it’s eating him alive.”

Viktor let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. He wished he could explain but he already felt like he had done enough, there was going to be no salvaging Jayce’s reputation for Sky now. There was one thing he thought that she could share in his ire though, “Do you know what I can’t believe?”

Sky crossed her arms, already bracing for whatever bombshell Viktor was about to drop. “What? That I’m not going to let this go?”

“No, that’s obvious,” Viktor replied, “No, it’s that…Mel came to the apartment the other day to apologize to me in person.”

Viktor still didn’t know how he felt about it. He thought the whole situation had the sense of a comedic play. Something that would be acted out on the street in Zaun. Some tragic story with interjected shocking humor that almost made you feel bad for laughing. It was hard for him to give her the same grace he gave Jayce. He wondered if that was somehow hypocritical.

Sky’s jaw dropped, her Pad Thai completely forgotten. “Goddamn it, Viktor!” she exclaimed, leaning forward, her eyes wide. “When did this happen? And what did the homewrecker have to say?”

Viktor lifted his iced Thai tea and took a measured sip before answering. “A lot,” he said evenly. “But mostly that she was sorry and that she hoped we could all be friends.”

Sky’s voice rose, her indignation palpable. “She fucked your husband, and now she wants to be your friend?”

Viktor exhaled slowly, the corner of his mouth quirking in something between a smirk and a grimace. “Well, to give her credit, I did tell Jayce he should ask her to be friends.”

Sky threw her hands up, her fork clattering into her Pad Thai container. “Goddamn it, Vik!” she all but shouted. “Since when are you this forgiving? I swear to God, what happened? Is it because you’re getting dicked down again—is that enough for you to overlook the two-month-long affair and then tell him to keep being friends with her? Now I really feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.”

Viktor blinked at her bluntness, his lips parting slightly in surprise. He looked down at his tea, swirling the liquid absently as he tried to parse through his emotions. Was he angry at Mel…in some ways, yes, but in others…no. He just never thought he would have her try to talk to him. He enjoyed living in his little bubble with Jayce where he could rationalize most things that happened between them.

Mel coming to him felt like throwing a nail in the delicate clockwork they were trying to create in this world. He also felt again that he was not handling this…open communication thing with Sky well. He thought she might find the situation as darkly humorous as he did but her anger on his behalf was clouding her ability to see how amusing it was. To have the woman who had an affair with your husband come over, drink your tea and tell you how she thought it was ok to fuck your husband because you were going to be dead in a few years. The audacity to seek some kind of assurance and comfort from him on top of it.

To sit there and…understand her motivations. To glean about her life from knowing her Noxian mother in their past life. Nothing was so easily dismissed; nothing was clear cut. Everything was messy. This life was messy. Their past lives were messy. It was unfortunate. He wished he could hate her for what she had done but if he was going to hate her, he would also have to hate Jayce and that was impossible. Any version of Jayce. He was choosing to push it all to the side……but that didn’t mean that the whole thing wasn’t hilarious in its own way.

There had to be a way to explain it to sky so she could…at least understand where he was coming from.

“I feel…detached from it,” Viktor said finally. He glanced up at Sky, who was watching him with barely restrained frustration. “It doesn’t feel like it happened to me. I see what he did and why he did it, and I…do not hold it against him because it doesn’t feel like it was a thing done to me.”

It was done to a version of himself, one that had done his own fair share of wrongs.

Sky opened her mouth to speak, but Viktor held up a hand, his expression resolute. “He has proven his loyalty and his love to me, Sky. You may not believe it, but…this thing…” Viktor’s voice faltered, his eyes drifting to the side, “I shouldn’t have said anything about it, and I apologize. I just wanted to process, and—”

“Vik, I’m sorry,” Sky interrupted, her voice softening as she leaned forward on her elbows. “I know I’m…look, I get it. I get it. You’re not leaving him, and you’ve separated yourself from it because you’ve made that decision. I guess…” She sighed, her voice trailing off before picking up again, quieter this time. “I just wish your illness wasn’t what was making you…give him this leeway. You don’t deserve to be treated poorly because he can’t handle your diagnosis—he shouldn’t get away with fucking other people behind your back because he knows you won’t leave.”

In that moment, Viktor was desperate to open up—to just tell her the truth, that it wasn’t bothering him because it literally hadn’t happened to him. Because he knew without a shred of doubt that his Jayce loved him, was devoted to him, and would never betray him. There was no question in his mind, no lingering insecurity. But that wasn’t something he could say out loud, not without risking everything. This world was nothing like where he came from and someone talking about parallel universes and traveling through time and space could land him in a hospital or asylum.

So instead, Viktor grasped for a thread of reasoning that might make sense to her. “Jayce is simple,” he said, contemplative, though there was a warmth in his voice that betrayed his affection. “Easy to understand. That is not to say he is not…interesting or complex, but simply that I understand him. It took, perhaps, that seizure”—he gestured vaguely, struggling to articulate the point in a way that would make sense to her, “for both of us to…come back to each other.”

Sky raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt.

“It may seem,” Viktor continued carefully, “as if he is not being held accountable, but I assure you, he is.” Viktor thought of the way both of their counterparts were annexed from their own bodies and now had to watch their lives be driven by different versions of themselves, that seemed a punishment fit for the crime. He would have to improvise again, “We have come to many solutions and compromises. Jayce is already planning how to stop the weapons production—or walk away from the company entirely. I am going to see another doctor.” He hesitated, then added, “We are talking to each other again. And yes, sex…very good sex is taking place.” Sky snorted at that, but Viktor pressed on. “If he were to do it again—which I know, truly know, he would never—that would be different. But right now, it is not like that.”

Sky shook her head, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. “I don’t think I could forgive someone who did that to me, Vik,” she admitted, “I don’t know how you have that faith in him, but fine. Fine. I won’t actively hate him…out loud…to you.”

Viktor gave her a small nod, his lips curving faintly. “What he did killed us, Sky,” he said simply, pulling again from the truth, “And we are now reborn. He will not kill us again. He has learned his lesson, and I have learned mine. I think…forgiveness is the greatest thing we could do for each other.”

Sky exhaled a sharp breath, shaking her head again. “Fuck,” she muttered. “You almost make this whole thing sound rational. You’re lucky I haven’t told Sevika and Silco. They would’ve killed his ass—still would.”

“I would prefer no one else know,” Viktor said evenly, though his voice was laced with warning.

“No promises,” Sky replied, narrowing her eyes in mock defiance. “I still feel like he should be threatened a little. Come on! Maybe just Silco. He’s scary as hell, but he wouldn’t deck him outright like Sev would. Just…put the fear of God in him.”

Viktor let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “If Silco knows, then Vi will know. And if Vi knows, Caitlyn will know. That would kill him again, Sky. And I prefer him alive, and not riddled with guilt.”

Sky groaned, throwing up her hands. “Fine! So, where’s he taking you on this big romantic apology date, anyway?”

Viktor’s lips quirked as he answered, “He is refusing to tell me.”

--------------

The rush of wind whipped past Viktor’s body as he leaned into the curve, the roar of the engine vibrating through his whole body. He twisted the throttle, the burst of speed sent a thrill down his spine. For a few fleeting moments, he felt untethered, weightless—alive. As the garage came into view, he eased off, the roar of the bike dropping to a purr as he rolled inside.

Viktor parked the bike in his spot next to Jayce’s car, pulling off his helmet and hanging it on the handlebars before making his way into the building. He was getting home a little later than usual because of the chess club. It was a fascinating strategy game that he found he was actually quite good at, almost as if he knew how to play by instinct alone. Which he knew was far from accurate. What was most likely was that it was more evidence of the absorption hypothesis.

 As he stepped inside the apartment and took off his shoes, he immediately noticed a collection of plants arranged on the kitchen island. He tilted his head, his lips curving into a small, charmed smile. Each plant was accompanied by a handwritten note detailing its care instructions.

He reached out, brushing his fingers over the soft leaves of a fern. Beside it was a bright flowering kalanchoe in a small ceramic pot, its orange blossoms catching the light. There was also a potted snake plant. Viktor chuckled softly as he read one of the notes aloud to himself, Water once every two weeks. Low maintenance. Like me. There was a small cartoonish drawing of Jayce under the words.

As he leaned in to inspect the delicate pink flowers on another plant—a cyclamen, according to its note—he heard the click of the bedroom door behind him. Turning, he saw Jayce stepping out of their room, a set of clothes thrown over his arm. Jayce saw him and grinned, his expression a little sheepish.

“I thought maybe you’d appreciate some living plants instead of flowers,” Jayce said, nodding toward the collection. “I figured these could be inside…by the breakfast table, maybe? Or wherever you want, obviously.”

“It is more practical than flowers, yes,” Viktor replied, teasingly but he was charmed immensely. He had found that he greatly enjoyed caring for all the plants in their time here and adding more made him feel like they were really taking over this life. Making it their own. Discovering hobbies that they previously never allowed themselves time for.

Jayce perked up, setting the clothes down on the back of the couch. “A couple of them are flowering plants! I found a nursery, and I went this morning after you left.”

Viktor arched a brow. “And am I to assume I’m not allowed in the bedroom?”

Viktor tipped his head to the closed door.

Jayce rubbed the back of his neck, his grin widening. “Yeah, no. That’s for later.”

“Ah,” Viktor said with a knowing smirk. “Big plans in there for later?”

“I don’t know about big plans, but sure, yeah.” Jayce grabbed the clothes he’d brought out earlier and handed them to Viktor. “Here, wear this.”

Viktor took the neatly folded outfit, holding it up for inspection. The shirt was a soft, button-up with subtle stripes, paired with tailored trousers. His smile grew as he looked at Jayce. “Picking out my outfit too, something wrong with what I’m wearing?”

Jayce shrugged. “I just thought you would look really good in this, that’s all.”

Viktor shook his head but couldn’t entirely hide the fond smile creeping onto his face. “Can I help you with your brace?” Jayce asked, his voice softening.

“Yes, darling.”

Jayce stepped closer before kneeling before him, his hands gentle and practiced as he helped unfasten the straps. Viktor’s heart warmed at the sight. He hated to admit how much he enjoyed Jayce’s need to care for him in this way. Once the brace was removed, Viktor changed quickly in the guest bathroom. When he emerged, dressed in the outfit Jayce had chosen, he found Jayce waiting by the door, keys in hand.

“So,” Viktor asked as he grabbed his cane, “where are you taking me?”

Jayce grinned, holding the door open for him. “It’s a surprise.”

The drive was interesting enough, just looking out at the city they were inhabiting. Viktor leaned forward slightly, peering out the windshield as they approached their supposed destination. The building was striking against the backdrop of the bay, right against the water. The large, illuminated sign above the entrance read “Seattle Aquarium,” accompanied by an abstract wave design that curved into a stylized fish. The exterior gave way to an open plaza with large windows.

“It is an aquarium…?” Viktor asked.

There was an aquarium in Piltover that Viktor thought he might have visited once but he barely remembered.

Jayce glanced at him, a grin spreading across his face. “Yep. Thought you might enjoy this.”

Viktor’s eyes softened, a rare, unguarded smile appearing as he turned back to the view. “I think I might.”

Inside, the aquarium was bustling but not overly crowded. The inside had an oceanic theme, with cascading water features and walls painted in shades of blue and green. Large tanks lined the walls. The glass shimmering with the reflections of the fish darting through the water.

Jayce grabbed an information booklet at the entrance and handed it to Viktor, who eagerly flipped through it. “They have sea otters and a giant Pacific octopus—whatever that means,” Viktor read aloud.

Jayce rested a hand on Viktor’s back as they walked deeper into the exhibit after they paid for their tickets. He couldn’t wipe the smile from his face with home much Viktor was enjoying this, and they hadn’t even seen any of the exhibits yet.

The first section featured tide pools with interactive displays which seemed to be geared toward children, but Viktor knelt by one of the pools without shame. He peered at the creatures inside with a mix of scientific curiosity and childlike wonder. “Look at this sea star,” he murmured, pointing to a vibrant orange one clinging to a rock. “Its regeneration capabilities are fascinating. Did you know they can regenerate entire limbs?”

He pointed to the information in the little booklet.

Jayce crouched beside him, watching as Viktor reached out to gently touch the sea star. “That’s incredible,” Jayce said, his attention more on Viktor’s captivated expression than the creature itself.

From there, they wandered into the underwater dome, a 360-degree room where they were completely surrounded by water. Schools of fish swam overhead, weaving through the beams of light that filtered down from above. Viktor turned slowly, taking it all in, his cane forgotten as he leaned on the railing.

“This is extraordinary,” Viktor breathed. “The biodiversity…everything is so interconnected, yet perfectly balanced. It’s beautiful.”

Jayce smiled, standing close. “Not as beautiful as seeing you like this.”

Viktor rolled his eyes, and lightly whacked Jayce with his cane causing the other man to laugh.

They continued their journey, spending a long time at the jellyfish exhibit. The ethereal creatures floated gracefully in their tanks, their translucent bodies almost glowing under the lighting. Viktor’s eyes sparkled as he read every plaque and absorbed every detail he could.

“They have no brain or heart,” Viktor explained, reminiscent of a teacher giving a lecture. “But their simple structure has allowed them to survive for hundreds of millions of years. There is even an immortal Jellyfish that regenerates and clones itself for…eternity. Fascinating.”

“They kind of remind me of you,” Jayce said.

“Do I need to hit you with my cane again?” Viktor deadpanned.

Jayce laughed holding his hands up in surrender, “Hey, I’m being serious, there’s something about them that makes me think of how you were after the Hexcore. How it was in your mind. All the stars floating around, the light, how your body was…” He trailed off.

Viktor relented. He could agree, there was a certain…something. He thought the Jellies were his favorite part. Perhaps he related to them.

Next was the shark tank, where Viktor leaned close to the glass, fascinated by the predators gliding through the water. Jayce, on the other hand, couldn’t resist making a joke. “Reminds me of Silco.”

“I have him labeled as Shark Face in my phone,” Viktor said with a smirk.

As they reached the end of the exhibits, Jayce steered Viktor toward the gift shop. Viktor tried to protest, but Jayce was insistent. “We need a memento,” Jayce said, scanning the shelves.

Eventually, Jayce found a jellyfish plushie, “This,” Jayce declared, holding it up. “It’s perfect.”

Viktor hesitated, his gaze flicking between the plushie and Jayce. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously in love with you,” Jayce countered, pressing the plushie into Viktor’s hands. “We’re getting it.”

Viktor shook his head, a small, fond smile on his lips as he held the jellyfish. “Fine. But only because it will remind me of this…evening.”

Jayce grinned, paying for the plushie and tucking it under Viktor’s arm as they left the aquarium.

“Dinner next,” Jayce announced as they climbed into the car.

Viktor raised an eyebrow, settling the jellyfish plushie on his lap as Jayce started the engine. “Oh, there’s more?”

Jayce just shrugged, the corners of his mouth lifting into a playful smile as he rested his hand on Viktor’s thigh. “Of course, there’s more. What kind of date would this be if it ended after just the aquarium?”

Viktor glanced at Jayce’s hand and let out a soft hum of amusement. He rested his hand over Jayce’s as they started moving. Jayce was grinning as he drove them through the city. The streets were illuminated by the golden glow of streetlights. Viktor leaned back in his seat, watching the world pass by. They arrived at a small shop tucked between larger, more modern buildings. The sign above the entrance was simple, its lettering slightly faded. It just said Ramen—nothing else.

Jayce parked in one of the designated parallel parking spots on the street and walked around to open Viktor’s door, grinning as Viktor glanced at the unassuming exterior. “I was expecting something more extravagant,” Viktor admitted as they stepped inside.

He expected Jayce to bring him to some uppity Piltover-esqu place with white table clothes and stuffy waiters, but this place seemed like something Viktor would have gone to in Zaun. The small shop was cozy, with wooden tables and mismatched chairs, the kind of place where the atmosphere was secondary to the food. There was a sign telling them to sit anywhere and Jayce led him to a table by the only window looking out onto the street.

Jayce chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d want that. I found this place on a list in my phone called ‘Vik’s favorite restaurants.’” He pulled out his phone, scrolling quickly. “Look, see? It even has little stars next to it. According to this, your favorite is the tonkotsu ramen with…” Jayce squinted at the screen, “…soft-boiled egg, bamboo shoots, extra chashu, and green onions.”

Viktor blinked, “Ah, ramen is the type of food sold here?”

“Yep, looks like it,” Jayce grinned and leaned in conspiratorially. “Do I have the go-ahead to order for us? See if our counterparts have good taste or not?”

Viktor tried to suppress his smile, “By all means.”

Jayce flagged down the server and placed the order from what their counterparts apparently usually got, two bowls of ramen and a side of gyoza and a bottle of warm sake to share.

When the ramen arrived, Viktor took his first bite, his face softening into pure bliss as the flavors hit his tongue. “This is…” Viktor paused, savoring the moment, “…exceptional.”

Jayce watched him with a fond smile, his own bowl untouched for the moment. “I knew you’d like it.”

They ate in companionable silence for a while, the warmth of the meal settled in their bones. Eventually, Jayce spoke, “I really miss those days, you know. Before everything got so…big and successful. When we were just two people in the lab together.”

Viktor looked up from his bowl as Jayce continued, “It was like a dream, having someone there with me, who believed in me, bouncing ideas back and forth, someone who was as reckless—if not more reckless—than I was. We made breakthroughs because we weren’t afraid to push the boundaries. God, I loved it—you—so much. It’s crazy how I didn’t even realize it at the time.”

Viktor set his fork down, tilting his head thoughtfully. “You are a very handsome man, Jayce.”

Jayce blinked, then his face broke into a bashful smile, “What does that have to do with anything?”

Viktor’s lips quirked, “Nothing, darling. You are just so very pretty.”

Jayce burst into laughter as he leaned back in his chair. “Why do I feel like you’re calling me dumb?”

“Those words never left my lips,” Viktor replied smoothly, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Jayce pointed his fork at him, “Oh, right. I’m just ‘pretty,’ huh?”

“Very handsome,” Viktor continued, his voice dripping with faux sincerity. “So handsome, in fact, and so intelligent with science and scientific concepts.”

Jayce narrowed his eyes, his lips twitching as he fought back another laugh. “It still feels like you’re saying I’m dumb.”

“I would never say that my darling,” Viktor said with a straight face. “You are incredibly intelligent.”

Jayce leaned forward, an impish glint in his eye. “Maybe you need a little punishment. Maybe it’s your turn.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “What have I done but compliment you, my dearest?”

“Yeah, right. I can read between the lines. I’m not that pretty.”

“I don’t know, my love,” Viktor teased, his lips curling into a grin. “You are incredibly handsome. Very good looking.”

--------------

The drive back home was comfortably quiet. Viktor fiddled with the jellyfish plushie in his lap, his fingers tracing the soft fabric idly. Jayce’s hand rested on Viktor’s thigh, his thumb brushing back and forth in a soothing, absentminded motion as the city lights passed them by.

When they arrived back at the apartment, Jayce held the door open, ushering Viktor inside. Viktor placed the jellyfish gently on the counter as his attention returned to the collection of plants still arranged on the island. He smiled, brushing his fingers lightly over the leafy fern. “So,” Viktor began, glancing toward Jayce, “what am I to expect in the bedroom?”

Jayce froze mid-step, his hand reaching for his jacket zipper. “Actually, you need to wait out here while I, uh…set up.”

“Setting up is required?” Viktor tilted his head, amused.

“Yes,” Jayce said firmly, though the faint flush creeping up his neck betrayed his nerves. “Don’t be snarky! You’re going to like it.”

Viktor hummed, teasing. “I usually enjoy the sex we have, with or without any further setting up.”

Jayce’s blush deepened. “Why do you have to say it so bluntly?”

“What? Sex?” Viktor asked, his expression a picture of innocence.

“Yeah, it’s so…clinical. Why not…‘love-making’?” Jayce winced slightly as the words left his mouth.

Viktor gave him a long look, his lips twitching in faint amusement. “You can call it anything you want, Jayce, my handsome husband.”

“Hey!” Jayce squawked, earning a quiet chuckle from Viktor.

Without another word, Jayce slipped into the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him. Left alone, Viktor turned his attention back to the plants. Each had a small tag tied to it, written in Jayce’s neat handwriting. He chuckled quietly as he read the care instructions for each one, charmed completely. One plant had bright, waxy flowers, and another was a cascading vine. Viktor thought he would follow Jayce’s idea to have them surround the breakfast table. He would slowly take over this apartment yet.

A wave of peace settled over him, wrapping around his heart like a warm embrace. The subtle aches and dull nausea that had been lingering at the edge of his awareness all day seemed far away, insignificant in the face of how content he felt.

“V?” Jayce’s voice called from the bedroom, slightly muffled.

Viktor made his way to the door, his cane tapping softly against the hardwood floor. He opened it to find the room bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. Jayce stood in the center, looking both nervous and proud, his hands stuffed into his pockets. Viktor’s gaze drifted to the loveseat near the window, where a book was obviously displayed. Next to it was a folded, fluffy red blanket and a pair of the plush socks Jayce had ordered earlier that week.

“It’s, uh…” Jayce started, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s some famous French scientist from like a hundred years ago or something. I found it at this little bookstore near the nursery.”

Viktor blinked, his lips parting in surprise, “Jayce…”

Jayce hurried on, nervous now. “I thought I could help you into something more comfortable,” he said, gesturing toward the bed where a set of new pajamas was neatly laid out. “And we could, you know, sit and read together. I’ll make us some tea. It…yeah.”

Viktor’s eyes roamed the room, taking in the effort, the thoughtfulness behind every little detail. “I was expecting to come in here and find you…well, I was expecting something else entirely.”

Jayce’s shoulders sagged slightly, “This was supposed to be the perfect date for you. I thought you’d appreciate it more…”

Viktor crossed the room slowly. He set the cane aside and cupped Jayce’s face gently, pulling him down for a slow, loving kiss. The affection was overwhelming, almost too much to contain, and Jayce melted under it.

When Viktor pulled back, he sat carefully on the edge of the bed, his gaze never leaving Jayce’s. He raised an eyebrow, “Well?” he said, his voice teasing. “Aren’t you going to help me out of my clothes?”

Jayce grinned, his nerves fading as he stepped forward, already reaching for Viktor’s shirt.

Chapter Text

"I'd be the voice that urged Orpheus when her body was found..."

-Talk by Hozier

--------------

It was 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, and Jayce was kneeling on the bed, holding Viktor’s hips aloft with strong hands. Viktor lay sprawled beneath him, only his shoulders and head touching the mattress as Jayce supported his weight entirely. Each thrust sent shockwaves through Viktor’s body, his back arching with abandon. His hair fanned out on the pillows, the white streaks blending with the natural brown like a starburst, framing his flushed face.

Viktor’s eyes were locked on Jayce’s, molten and half-lidded, his lips parting on every gasp before his teeth dragged over them again.

“Fuck, precious, you look so fucking gorgeous like this,” Jayce panted. Adjusting his grip from Viktor’s hips to his slim waist, his thumbs almost brushed together just above Viktor’s navel.

The shift in his hold deepened the angle, drawing a sharp cry from Viktor as Jayce’s thrusts turned from a punishing in-out to a slow, grind. It wasn’t as fast and hard, but the new angle let him savor every inch of Viktor’s body beneath him.

Viktor threw his head back with a soft whine, one hand shooting down to stroke his own cock. The sight made Jayce’s breath hitch, the foreskin sliding back and forth over the swollen head. He almost wanted to stop and just watch, but he couldn’t bring himself to pause the relentless pace of his hips.

“Tell me what to do, precious,” Jayce rasped, his voice raw and needy. “What do you want?”

Viktor’s toes curled where they rested on Jayce’s shoulders, his breath hitching with every grind. “Ugh, Pojď ke mně. Pojď ke mně. Darling—come down, come to me.”

Jayce groaned, letting Viktor’s legs fall open as he leaned forward, pressing their bodies flush together. Viktor’s arm was trapped between them as Jayce buried his face in Viktor’s neck, the rhythm of his thrusts becoming frantic and desperate.

Viktor abandoned his cock, letting it press against the hard ridges of Jayce’s abdomen as he wrapped his arms around Jayce’s back. Their bodies moved in sync, the grinding of Jayce’s hips eliciting moans and groans from both. Viktor pulled Jayce into an open-mouthed kiss, their tongues sliding together, messy and heated, as Jayce thrust deeper into him. His body moving like a rolling tide. The sound of skin against skin, gasps, and whimpers filled the room.

Viktor broke the kiss with a sharp inhale, his nails digging into Jayce’s shoulders. His entire body tensed beneath Jayce, his cock twitching and spilling between them, hot and sticky as his orgasm rippled through him. “Yes, precious, yes, fuck, ah fuck,” Jayce groaned, his own release building as he watched Viktor come undone.

Unable to hold back any longer, Jayce buried himself deep and bit down on Viktor’s neck, his teeth sinking into the delicate flesh as he found his release. He thrust through the waves of pleasure, pumping himself into Viktor as the other man gasped, his hand flying to the back of Jayce’s head in encouragement.

Jayce bit into Viktor’s neck again, his hips continuing their grinding, circling motion even as he softened slightly inside him. Viktor shuddered beneath him, his body trembling as the overstimulation began to take hold. “Oh, my darling, oh—oh—oh, má lásko, if you keep doing that I might cum again,” Viktor whispered, his voice breathy and trembling.

Jayce lifted his head, releasing the reddened flesh from his teeth. He grinned, his voice low and teasing. “You say that like it’s not something I want.”

Viktor let out a soft laugh, his arms tightening around Jayce’s back as their foreheads pressed together. Their bodies finally stilled, going limp as they basked in the afterglow. Jayce remained draped over Viktor, his cock still buried inside him, reluctant to pull away from the warmth and intimacy they’d created. Viktor hummed softly, his fingers lightly tracing patterns along Jayce’s back.

“Mmm, what time are we meeting everyone for the… uh… pumpkin hunt?” Viktor murmured, his voice was low and languid.

Jayce chuckled against Viktor’s neck. His breath warm on the flushed skin. “I don’t think we hunt for the pumpkins, precious. I think we just pick them.”

Viktor huffed, a playful pout curling his lips. “I thought you said there was a hunt?”

Jayce pressed a soft kiss on Viktor’s cheek, then his ear. “I think there’s a scavenger hunt for the kids,” he explained, his voice laced with amusement.

As he spoke, Jayce circled his hips again, a groan escaping him at the oversensitivity of his spent cock. Yet he couldn’t stop himself, the need to move overwhelmed him. Viktor’s legs instinctively wrapped around Jayce’s hips, pulling him closer, and he let out a soft laugh. “Are you just going to keep fucking me, my love?”

Jayce whimpered, his hips pressing harder against Viktor in response. “Fuck,” he panted, his lips brushing Viktor’s jaw. “I never want to leave your body, precious.”

Viktor tossed his head back, his fingers gripping Jayce’s shoulders as the thrusting renewed with fervor. Jayce buried his face against Viktor's neck, his breath coming in ragged pants as he moved with a profound and unrelenting desire, each stroke deep and merciless. Too much and not enough. Never enough.

If Jayce could live inside Viktor’s skin, it wouldn’t be close enough. He wanted to merge them together for eternity, be consumed and absorbed completely until they were one person.

Between their bodies, Viktor’s cock, which had been pleasantly spent and soft, began to swell with blood again. The friction and heat between them ignited a fresh wave of need until they were moving in sync once more, Viktor’s moans spilling freely as Jayce groaned against his throat.

“Ugh,” Viktor managed between gasps, “we’re going to be late.”

“We’ve got to meet them there at 10.” Jayce pressed his forehead against Viktor’s, his lips brushing against Viktor’s as he rasped, “We’ve got time.” His thrusts deepened, drawing twin groans from their throats as they gave in to each other all over again.

--------------

Jayce and Viktor drove out of the city, leaving the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets behind. Jayce had entered the address into the map, and he occasionally glanced at it while he maneuvered through traffic.

“Damn, we’re going to be late, I think,” Jayce muttered, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. It read 9:52, and the map said 45 minutes to the destination. It seemed like it was going to be outside the city, he should’ve known when Vi said it was in “bum-fuck-nowhere”—he had just never heard that saying before.

Viktor, unfazed, looked over at the glowing screen. “Yes, it does appear that way. If you could keep your hands to yourself for a moment—”

Jayce grinned, giving Viktor a sidelong look. “Hey! It’s not like you were complaining.”

“I’m not,” Viktor replied, his voice a perfect balance of dryness and amusement. “I am only stating that if you wished to make it on time to this place, we probably should have showered separately if you cannot control yourself.”

Jayce chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “I can’t help it if you’re the most beautiful thing in the world. Standing there, naked and wet and washing your hair—it’s not fair.”

Viktor rolled his eyes but didn’t bother suppressing the small smile that tugged at his lips. “You are incorrigible.”

The cityscape eventually gave way to the forest, the concrete jungle melting into lush, thick greenery. The road narrowed, and the air seemed fresher, crisper. Jayce rolled down the windows and enjoyed the way Viktor looked with his hair being pulled and thrown around by the wind. This was beautiful country. By the time they reached the dirt driveway, the clock read closer to 10:45. Very late.

Jayce turned the car onto the bumpy path that led to their destination. A large wooden arch overhead welcomed them with carved letters reading Hilltop Hollow. The fairgrounds sprawled out in front of them—a mix of carnival attractions, pumpkin patches, and what looked like a corn field.

The parking area, however, was pure chaos. The lot wasn’t marked, and people were leaving their cars wherever they saw fit. Families with excited children darted between vehicles, creating a labyrinth that Jayce had to navigate carefully.

“Don’t hit anyone,” Viktor deadpanned, clutching his cane as they rolled past a group of kids sprinting in circles.

“Not planning on it,” Jayce muttered, his knuckles whitening on the steering wheel as he scanned for an open spot. Eventually, he found one far from the entrance. It was hardly ideal, but at least it was a place to park. He turned off the engine with a sigh of relief and glanced over at Viktor.

Viktor had already stepped out of the car and was adjusting his grip on his cane as Jayce grimaced. “I texted Jinx that we’re here,” Viktor said. “She says they’re by the trampolines.”

Jayce hesitated. “I uh… probably should’ve dropped you off at the front. Do you want me to do that now? I can park again after.”

Viktor gave him a long, patient look. “You will lose this spot the moment you leave it.”

“Maybe I’ll find another one.”

“I can walk, Jayce.”

“Yeah, but… I could—”

“You are not carrying me across this parking lot, Jayce,” Viktor interrupted, his tone firm but amused. “I can walk.”

Jayce threw his hands up in mock defeat, shaking his head as he came around to join Viktor. “Fine, fine. I’m an idiot, I’m sorry, precious.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Viktor replied, hooking the handle of his cane on Jayce’s neck to pull him down for a kiss. Jayce melted into it.

They made their way across the packed parking lot and to the ticket booth. Jayce paid and they entered.

The fairgrounds sprawled before them like a pumpkin-themed wonderland. Everywhere Viktor looked, there were pumpkins—large ones, small ones, carved and painted ones, and stacks of them piled high into decorative displays. The holiday, it seemed, was entirely obsessed with this particular squash, and Viktor found himself bemused by it all. A hayride trundled by with children laughing and waving, while the scent of cider and roasted nuts wafted through the crisp autumn air. It was one of the seemingly rare sunny days, which was probably why the place was so teeming with people.

“This entire celebration is centered on pumpkins,” Viktor said, adjusting his cane as they walked. “I do not understand the fascination. I thought it was spirits and dressing in costume.”

Jayce grinned down at him. “It’s a tradition, precious. Pumpkins are for warding off the spirits I believe.”

“Why not…something more ominous? Or at least edible,” Viktor replied, his tone dry but his expression soft.

“They are edible,” Jayce countered with a laugh. “They make pies with them too. Vi said there would be pie here, I bet they have some pumpkin ones.”

The conversation faded as they approached their group, who were gathered at a roped-off area with picnic tables. In the distance, Jinx and Isha were bouncing energetically on a large, enclosed trampoline with a variety of other children. Some adults hovering around their own offspring with concerned acceptance as their children ran across long rectangular trampolines inlaid into the ground, their shrieks and giggles blending into the variety of noise everywhere. It was an overwhelming sensory experience that Viktor wasn’t exactly expecting from the day.

“Jeez, took you guys long enough. What was the holdup?” Vi called out as they approached.

Viktor was wearing a high-necked, chunky sweater that hid the reason well. Jayce rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as they sat down at the table. “What did we miss?”

“Not much, really. The scavenger hunt doesn’t start until noon,” Vi explained. “We just hit the corn maze first to get it out of the way, then came here.”

Ekko appeared with a tray, balancing a pitcher of beer and several mugs. He set them down with a clink and shot a grin at the pair. “Damn, you guys took forever. You’re lucky Jinx and Isha are so entertained by the trampoline.”

Viktor offered a mild smile. “We slept in, but we are here now. Though I must admit, I am a little sad to have missed the…uh…maze of corn.”

He wasn’t sure what the appeal to a maze of corn was, but he wanted to appear at least a little engaged in the festivities.

Vi poured herself a mug from the pitcher, rolling her eyes. “You didn’t miss much. It sucked. Super easy.” She turned to Caitlyn. “You want a beer?”

“Yes, please. I thought it was entertaining,” Caitlyn smiled, “They had character actors jump out at you. Isha was having a blast.”

Viktor nodded politely, though he had no idea what she meant by ‘character actors.’ Everything about this holiday was a mystery to him. It was enjoyable to discover.

“She wants to do the haunted house before we leave, so it’s basically the same thing. You won’t miss out,” Ekko chimed in, leaning back on the bench.

Jayce picked up the pitcher and poured beers for both Viktor and himself. “Are we doing the haunted house before or after picking out pumpkins? When’s that happening?”

Caitlyn sipped her beer before answering. “Pumpkins are last. I forgot to bring our cart, so we’re going to have to carry them to the car, which is a nightmare. Did you guys find a good spot? We got here when it opened, and it was already chaos.”

“We are very far away,” Viktor replied, deadpan, making Jayce grimace.

Then there was a shriek behind them. Viktor barely had time to react before Jinx threw her arms around him from behind, hugging him with surprising force. “Sad Clown!” she chirped, her voice bubbling with glee.

Startled, Viktor turned his head slightly to glance at her. “Jinx.”

 Isha dashed over from the trampoline area, her cheeks flushed from exertion as she crawled up the bench to make a home on Viktor’s lap.

 “We thought we were going to have to send a search party for you guys!” Jinx teased, taking a seat across from him next to Ekko who threw an arm around her shoulder as he poured her a mug.

Viktor chuckled softly. The sound surprising even to himself. He wasn’t used to being greeted with such unfiltered joy. He wrapped one arm around Isha to keep her stable and noticed Jayce giving him those warm eyes that Viktor knew now meant he was being sentimental. The only person who had ever seemed this excited to see him was Jayce. But in this strange new life, he was met with warmth and camaraderie from all directions. It was…unexpectedly pleasant.

“My lover boy refused to let me out of bed this morning,” Viktor said dryly, glancing sideways at Jayce, whose ears turned a delightful shade of red.

Jinx threw her head back and cackled, the sound carrying over the chatter and laughter of the crowd. Caitlyn, however, pulled a face, holding up a hand as if to ward off the mental image. “God! I don’t need to know that!” she exclaimed.

Vi laughed, smacking the table with the flat of her hand. “Slept in, my ass!” she shouted, “No wonder you two were late.”

Caitlyn and Jayce both looked uncomfortable, and it was adorable. Caitlyn raised her voice to carry above the general laugher and ruckus the table had devolved into, “I think the first order of business is getting those rentable carts then we can go to where all the games are, what do you think?”

--------------

They made their way through the bustling fairground, the air thick with the mingling scents of caramel apples and fried dough. Laughter and cheerful screams from nearby rides punctuated the air as they wandered toward the carnival games.

Jayce’s eyes lit up as they approached a booth adorned with hanging prizes—plush toys all Halloween themed. His gaze immediately landed on a small stuffed bat with oversized wings and a mischievous grin stitched into its face.

“Oh, look at that!” Jayce said, nudging Viktor gently. “I’m getting you that bat.”

Viktor arched a skeptical brow. “Are you planning to collect a stuffed child’s toy for me at every event we attend?”

Jayce grinned, already fishing for cash in his pocket. “Yes. If it’s an option, absolutely. Maybe it can be a new date tradition.”

Despite himself, Viktor felt his lips twitch into a smile. There was something incredibly endearing about Jayce’s insistence. His eyes flicked to the bat, and though he didn’t say it aloud, he rather liked it. “I think Sky is going to be a bat for Halloween,” he mused, “Perhaps you should get two.”

That was all the encouragement Jayce needed. “Oh, now it’s a mission,” he declared, stepping up to the booth with the determination of a man about to conquer a great feat.

The game involved tossing rings onto glass bottles, and Jayce took it as a personal challenge. His first few throws were disastrous, the rings bouncing off the bottles in every direction. Viktor chuckled quietly behind him.

“Having trouble, darling?” he teased. Jayce was usually quite good with physical things, balance and coordination but games like this were designed to be hard to win.

Jayce narrowed his eyes, rolling his shoulders in mock seriousness. “Watch and learn, precious. This bat is coming home with us.”

It took three tries but Jayce finally landed a ring on the correct bottle. The jovial attendant handed him the bat plush, and Jayce turned triumphantly to Viktor.

“For you, my love,” he said, presenting the toy with a dramatic flourish.

Viktor accepted it, his lips curving into an almost shy smile as he ran his fingers over the soft fabric. “Your persistence is admirable,” he murmured, holding the bat close to his chest. He almost hated to admit how much he loved this. He was now keeping his Jellyfish hung by a little nail next to the shelves in the bedroom and he found himself excited to add another stuffed friend. It was silly and ridiculous, and he kissed Jayce’s cheek.

But Jayce wasn’t done. Spotting another bat plush of a slightly different design by a different game, he leaned toward Viktor and said, “I’m getting that one too.”

“You are relentless,” Viktor said, shaking his head fondly.

Within 30 minutes, Jayce had added a second bat to Viktor’s growing collection, as well as a small black cat plush and, to Isha’s delight, a jack-o-lantern. The little girl’s laughter was infectious as she hugged her prize, beaming up at Jayce.

“You’re unstoppable,” Viktor said as they moved to the next booth, a mixture of exasperation and affection.

Jayce draped an arm around Viktor’s shoulders, grinning down at him.

Viktor clutched the bats in his arms, as they made their way through the venders and booths.

--------------

The group gathered around a stand selling Korean corn dogs. Jayce handed Viktor his order—a golden, potato-encrusted cheese corn dog—before grabbing his own, a hefty sausage version also rolled in crispy potato chunks. The group found a spot to stand and chat as they devoured their snacks.

It was another moment that was reminiscent of Zaun. Though he never had the friends surrounding him per say he did enjoy visiting the undercity and watching the people. The street venders and the boisterous groups. Viktor now wished he had brought Jayce down with him occasionally. He usually took his trips to his home as times to be alone, to decompress but he regretted now never opening that part of his life to Jayce. Jayce who he knew didn’t see him any differently he still had felt apprehensive about opening up that part of himself for scrutiny. He never wanted to distance himself from where he grew up, where he was from, but it was easier to navigate through Piltover if he appeared to.

Jinx took a loud, exaggerated bite of her corn dog before turning to Viktor. “Alright, Sad Clown,” she said around a mouthful, “have you figured out Wonder Boy’s costume yet? I got the fabric for yours already, but I didn’t grab anything for him because you were supposed to text me!”

Jayce paused mid-bite, raising an eyebrow. “Sad clown?” he asked, looking between Jinx and Viktor.

“Yes,” Viktor replied casually, taking a delicate bite of his own snack. “For Halloween, I am going to be a sad mime—clown. Black and white.”

“Sexy sad clown,” Jinx corrected with a wicked grin.

Viktor leveled her with a disapproving look. “No tiny shorts.”

“God, no!” Jinx replied, appalled. “Not with your skinny legs! A cat-suit.”

Jayce choked on his bite, coughing as he set down his corn dog. “Cat suit?” he repeated, his lips twitching into an amused grin. He waggled his eyebrows at Viktor and was rewarded with one of Viktor’s ‘faces.’ All disapproving but Jayce saw that little smile.

The idea of Viktor wearing a skintight cat-suit did things to Jayce.

“Yes,” Jinx said matter-of-factly, “full body suit, down to the ankles.”

Jayce couldn’t help himself. He leaned a little closer to Viktor, his grin growing wider. “Oh, yeah?”

Viktor rolled his eyes, biting into his potato cheese stick again. “Do not let your imagination run wild, darling.”

It was too late. Jayce’s imagination hadn’t only run wild, but amuck. He was already envisioning it—though it was probably off the mark because he was just seeing a black catsuit in his mind and Viktor was apparently going to be a clown. He was having a hard time picturing Viktor in classic clown make-up. Would he be wearing one of those red bulbous noses?

Jinx jumped back into the conversation, undeterred. “So, Wonder Boy, what’s your costume? Did Sad Clown give you any ideas, or are you just winging it?”

“I could be a clown too,” Jayce suggested with a genuine smile. He liked the idea of matching Viktor even if the costume seemed like a silly choice. He wondered what made Viktor choose it. This was his first time hearing about it. Jayce hadn’t personally put any thought into the Halloween party. Had almost forgotten it was happening.

“Absolutely not,” Viktor replied instantly.

 “Why not?”

Vi snorted from the side, trying not to laugh. “Are you seriously going as a mime, Vik? That’s fucking Hilarious.”

Jinx nodded along, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I think Vik will be a sexy clown, but you…you’d just be, like, an actual clown.”

Viktor hummed thoughtfully, clearly amused. “I was thinking you could be a strong man,” he said, pausing as if trying to find another option, “or—”

“I could be a sexy clown!” Jayce interrupted with a frown on his face, his brows were doing that thing that made him look like a sad puppy and Viktor almost gave into it.

Vi doubled over with laughter, almost dropping her corn dog, while Viktor sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I did a search,” Viktor continued, undeterred by the laughter, “and found some costumes with pants and suspenders but without the shirt.”

Jinx, clearly invested now, clapped her hands together. “I see the vision! Just show off the goods, huh?” 

“So, my costume is just being shirtless?” Jayce asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jinx and Viktor exchanged a quick glance before turning back to him, saying in unison, “Yes.”

“Then why not a shirtless clown?”

Viktor contemplated that and Jinx nodded as if Jayce had just said something revolutionary, “Yeeees, yes! Yes! Shirtless—colorful—clown with the Sad black—and—white mime! It’s perfect. A tale as old as time.”

“Is it so?” Viktor had a little sarcastic curl to his lip as he cocked his head, “I’m not sure how I feel about the clown face…”

“I’ll come over before the party and do your make up—both of you—and it’s going to be amazing. Trust me!”

The day went on, Caitlyn and Jayce went off ahead and returned with their rented roll-y carts, just in time to be filled with various goods, apple cider doughnuts and home brewed apple cider itself. Various pies that Viktor didn’t know how he and Jayce were going to eat on their own, home brewed beers from different venders and by the time they made it to the end of the market Viktor had not one, not two, but 4 different bat pushes to add to his collection. He was going to have a hard time picking which one to give to Sky. They each had their own unique little faces.

They came across a picnic table while the rest of the group went ahead to the scavenger hunt. Viktor sat quietly, leaning against Jayce, his cane resting beside him. He could feel the ache in his body intensifying, each step pulled at his energy reserves. The nausea was manageable now, but only because he had just discreetly taken one of his nausea pills—and one of the ‘as needed’ pain pills. He had anticipated that it might be needed today, he just hadn’t realized how early he would need it, they had been here for barely an hour. This day had started pleasant enough, but his limits were already nearing.

Jayce slipped an arm around Viktor’s shoulders, pulling him closer. His thumb traced small, absentminded circles on Viktor’s shoulder. “You wanna go on that when they get back?” Jayce nodded toward the Ferris wheel in the distance, its lights twinkling faintly against the midday sun.

Viktor turned his head slightly to follow Jayce’s gaze. “Perhaps,” he murmured, his voice soft. “But I am not sure. Maybe if the nausea wears off.”

Jayce pressed a kiss to the top of Viktor’s head, his lips lingering there. “I guess I am… like my counterpart, V. Because I’m really not loving this.”

Viktor let out a small huff of amusement, though his eyes stayed closed as he rested against Jayce. “Do you think I am? Would you rather I be coughing?”

Jayce shifted slightly, his brows furrowing. “When you were on just the two pills, you weren’t coughing that much. When you woke up Friday morning, you even said your chest was feeling a lot better than usual just with the oxygen therapy and the vapor.”

“Jayce, my love,” Viktor began, his voice firm, “we discussed this. We have barely given it a chance. Two days is not enough to have an opinion or to know whether something is working or not.”

Jayce sighed, leaning back a little as he looked off toward the Ferris wheel. “Okay, but the notebook clearly showed—”

“Have you found me a second opinion?” Viktor interrupted, turning his head slightly to look at him. He tried not to be irritated. He knew it was because he wasn’t feeling well and had little to do with the conversation but that didn’t mean he wasn’t also a little tired of going back and forth on this.

He was choosing to give this treatment a chance while they tried other avenues, but those other avenues hadn’t been found yet. Patience was imperative to this new life, not jumping in with only half the information. Not making rash decisions that could ruin their second chance completely. Patience and acceptance. And as Heimerdinger once said, ‘you can’t make a prototype without breaking a few wrenches’—things that helped you didn’t always make you feel better. Just look at the Hexcore. He had felt no pain, he had been able bodied for the first time in his life. It was all a lie.

Jayce’s shoulders sagged, his expression shifting to one of guilt. “I was… pretty occupied yesterday, and now we’re here, so… no.”

Viktor hummed, exactly. He couldn’t keep quitting after one day of not feeling good. He did it the last time, they needed to give it a chance before completely tossing it. They hadn’t even had time to look at other doctors or anything at all since the Thursday appointment. “Find this new doctor, and we will go to them, and then we can see what they have to say. But until then, I am choosing to trust an old friend.”

Jayce frowned, his thumb pausing its movements. “A mad scientist, you mean.”

Viktor nuzzled closer to Jayce’s neck, his lips brushing just under his jaw. “Perhaps, but are we not all a little mad? How can I judge, darling? Who am I to say someone is mad?”

Jayce’s grip on Viktor tightened slightly as he sighed again. “You’re being so calm… so forgiving to things you should probably not be forgiving to.”

“Like what?”

Jayce hesitated, his jaw working for a moment before he spoke. “I understand that it wasn’t me… I know it. Sure, it was a version of me, and maybe I am capable of it, but it wasn’t me. But it was Mel… and this Dr. Reveck did horrifying things in our world, but maybe he isn’t the same here. But… I feel like you’re trying to give everyone the benefit of the doubt when maybe you should be more discerning.”

Viktor lifted his head slightly, studying Jayce’s expression. “Should I blame Jinx for her counterpart in our world?”

Jayce froze, then slowly shook his head, his hand coming up to cup the back of Viktor’s. “Point taken.”

Viktor softened his voice after placing a soft kiss to Jayce’s jaw, “Jayce… you know… I felt horrible when you slept with Mel in our life. It… hurt me, though there was so much happening I could hardly focus on it.”

“I’m so sorry, V,” Jayce said, his voice thick with regret, his free hand moving to cradle Viktor’s face.

“No,” Viktor said softly, shaking his head. “No more. We promised no more.” He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss on Jayce’s lips. When he pulled back, his eyes were searching Jayce’s face. “Jayce, all I am trying to say is… things happen, circumstances change—are different. But the feelings… they are here and there and throughout every timeline. Perhaps something like that is destined. Perhaps we need to learn these lessons over and over again, no matter what life we live. One small thing can change the course of someone’s life irreparably. I am not…” He paused, trying to collect his thoughts in a way that made sense, “I do not want all the ugliness of myself to influence my decisions here. I do not want to be jealous; I do not want to be reckless with my body or my life. I do not want to let things fester.”

Jayce leaned forward, capturing Viktor’s lips in another kiss, this one slower, deeper. “Neither do I, precious,” he murmured when they parted. “I’ll have Meg look up doctors on Monday. She probably knows what to look for better than I do. I just think we’re going to have our hands full all weekend, considering Jinx is staying the night again. I can’t believe you just gave her free rein to do that indefinitely.”

Viktor chuckled, resting his head against Jayce’s shoulder. “Only until we finish her thesis… which is in our benefit, might I add.”

Jayce leaned back, his brow furrowed as he looked at Viktor. “You still haven’t explained why you think this will help us.”

Viktor shifted slightly, his hand idly tracing patterns on Jayce’s thigh. “I think that if we use the quantum teleportation, it will be able to isolate each individual self from the whole. It is then that we can determine who returns and who does not.”

Jayce blinked, pulling back a bit as he absorbed the idea. “You think we could… pull their consciousness out of the body?”

Viktor nodded, his expression calm but serious. “That is the theory. It is not without risk, but it is a possibility we must consider.”

Before Jayce could respond, Caitlyn appeared at the edge of the table, “Jayce, do you want to go on the drop with me? Everyone’s still on the scavenger hunt, but apparently, I’m ‘overbearing’ and need to ‘let go of the reins’ to let Isha find the items herself. Vi is shockingly having a good time being an auntie and wanted to stay.”

She had her hands on her hips like she was determined not to let that get to her.

It took a second for Jayce’s brain to switch gears. Viktor had leaned away a little and he already missed the loss, “The drop? Uh, well, V isn’t—”

“I’m fine,” Viktor interrupted, straightening slightly and pulling himself away from Jayce’s arm entirely, “Go on, Jayce. I am fine. Just let me rest a bit. I won’t move.”

Jayce hesitated, glancing between Viktor and Caitlyn. His hand lingered on Viktor’s shoulder, squeezing gently before he nodded. “Alright, but I’m coming back right after. Don’t you dare move.”

Viktor smiled faintly, his head tilting slightly in acknowledgment. “I will be here.”

Jayce stood, brushing his hands on his jeans before following Caitlyn toward the towering ride in the distance.

--------------

Caitlyn leaned casually on the railing of the line, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd before turning back to Jayce. “How’s he doing?”

Jayce glanced at her, shrugging slightly. “You could just ask him, you know?”

Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “As if. The only thing he’ll say is, ‘I’m fine, Cait.’” She tilted her head, affecting a terrible imitation of Viktor’s accent, pulling her eyebrows low as if also attempting to morph her face into his.

Jayce barked out a laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, that’s exactly what he’d say.”

“So?” Caitlyn pressed.

Jayce sighed, leaning his weight on the railing. “He’s… I don’t know. Not feeling great. I’m looking for a second opinion—he’s agreed, but he wants to stay on the treatment until then.”

Jayce hated it. He had vague recollections of his counterpart’s memories, and he was witnessing it himself now and it was…unsettling. Viktor was always hiding how he really felt, but now in this life Jayce was seeing it completely, openly, Viktor wasn’t hiding it, and it was shocking. Jayce was trying to be strong but the more he saw the less sure of himself he was. He felt like Viktor was over correcting, trying to avoid a path that he viewed as monstrous and while it had been…Jayce couldn’t blame Viktor for wanting to breathe. To walk. To not be held back by what he perceived of his body’s failings.

He had experienced a taste of what Viktor went through in the wasteland. Being trapped by his broken and destroyed leg. Starving and cold. The limits that injury had put him under went beyond just the pain. And that was only a fraction of what Viktor lived with every day since he was small. Viktor never got to feel the way Jayce felt in his body until the Hexcore and even then, Jayce wasn’t sure if Viktor had actually felt anything at that point—physically, at least. It was like Viktor said, he was trading one set of sensations for another—who was he to say it was the wrong choice just because it hurt to witness.

Caitlyn gave him a pointed side-eye. “How’d the date go last night? I’m assuming well, since you two were so… occupied this morning. I’d be happy for you if the thought didn’t make me want to wash my brain with soap.”

Jayce shoved her shoulder lightly, grinning despite himself. “Date went great. Took him to the aquarium, then out for his favorite ramen, and we spent the night reading together. Got him a book on—uh—Marie Curie. He really liked it. Well, what he got through of it.”

Caitlyn’s expression softened. “Oh, that sounds lovely, actually… What brought it on?”

Jayce raised an eyebrow. “You and Vi have been talking.”

Caitlyn smirked. “Maybe.”

Jayce groaned. “For the record, we are not in couples therapy, Sprout. I just wanted to take him out. Is that a crime?”

Jayce felt like they got here, woke here, after such a massive event and they just fell into being married like they were born to it. He was sure that meant something. That this was right, that they probably could have been like this the whole time—it made him wonder what would have been different in their life if he had just…realized how deeply he loved Viktor sooner. It also meant that all the courting, all the soft gooey romance was already done by those other versions of themselves. Sure, when they had sex—made love—for the first time it had felt like the first time, the novelty of it hadn’t worn off at all and Jayce doubted it would for a long time, but everything else was so…easy—domestic.

Nothing was missing but Jayce still felt like Viktor deserved to be cherished. He deserved to be courted, that he deserved to have Jayce show him how much he loved him in that way. Viktor had loved it. He had tried to hide his shy smile and his blushing cheeks as he twirled his hair with his fingers while reading. He had looked boyish and so sweet that it cemented Jayce’s mind. Viktor liked to act like he didn’t need a lot of things. Help. Accommodations. Consistent shows of affection. But Jayce knew him better. He would never ask for anything and it was hard for him to accept what was freely given but he wanted it. He wanted it perhaps even more than Jayce wanted to give it to him. Maybe he even needed it.

Caitlyn tilted her head, studying Jayce with a slight smirk. “So, you’re calling him precious now, and he’s calling you darling… V instead of Vik. Vi told me about how Jinx went through that therapy thing as a child where she picked a name that felt more like her. She had gone by Pow-pow because she was like 9. That’s why she’s Jinx now-similar reasons at least, though Vi hates it. Seems like you two are… doing something comparable, is all.”

Jayce’s thoughts scrambled for a convincing response, and he finally settled on something halfway coherent. “V never liked being called Vik or baby, Cait. He… actually really dislikes it. But, you know, everyone calls him Vik, so he just tolerates it. And baby, well, he hates that because it feels infantilizing. He’s not a fan, but he let it slide. So instead of making him tolerate it, I’ve started calling him things he actually likes.”

This was all true, though he wasn’t sure what Viktor’s counterpart felt about all this, he imagined he couldn’t be that far off. They were the same person after all—sort of. He remembered Viktor going on a rant about how everyone who tried to be familiar with him called him Vik back when they first started being partners…it might have influenced his calling his partner ‘V’ even if he hadn’t fully realized that.

Cait frowned at that, folding her arms. “He hates being called ‘Vik’? Why wouldn’t he tell us that?”

Jayce internally cursed himself and tried to walk it back. “It’s just… you know, a lot of people call him that. It’s the obvious shortening of his name. He’d prefer you all just called him Viktor, but it’s not like he’s going to make a fuss over it.”

“You just said he hates it,” Cait pointed out, her brows knitting together.

Jayce sighed. “Well, yeah, but… I mean, he’d like it better if people just said Viktor. He’s not going to tell you that, though.”

 “So, after years and years, he’s just now opened up about this, and you’re both calling each other new names…but that just somehow came up without any kind of therapy or anything specific changing. You both just…started talking about this out of nowhere?”

Jayce shrugged, leaning against the railing. They might have to start telling people they were in couple’s therapy. It would explain a lot of the differences between them and their counterparts, but he couldn’t just drop that bomb without discussing it with Viktor first. “Yep. He likes precious, and I… like what he calls me a lot.”

Cait’s smirk softened into something more playful. “Precious is really cute. I’m almost jealous. Vi calls me baby or babe, but my favorite is when she calls me cupcake… and I just call her Vi.”

Jayce chuckled. “Maybe you should change that.”

“Could you imagine me calling Vi—‘precious’?” Cait gave him a look.

“Well, no, but that’s mine for my husband. Who is very precious, by the way. You need to figure out your own!”

Cait tilted her head, her expression turning serious as they moved up in line. “I don’t understand why Vi doesn’t seem to want to get married.”

Jayce blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, wow. Okay.”

Caitlyn sighed, brushing her hair back. “We’ve been together for almost three years. Our anniversary is coming up in November. We live together now, but she insists we wait. I just don’t understand. Three years is plenty of time! I feel like if she doesn’t know if she wants to marry me after over two years, then something else must be going on, right?”

“Uh,” Jayce searched his memory for anything Vi had said on the matter. He vaguely remembered the conversation after they’d gotten drunk after the gym that night. “Um… I think she’s just scared of… I don’t know… you leaving her, to be honest.”

Caitlyn scowled. “What utter bullshit. How is me wanting to get married an indicator that I’ll leave?”

Jayce raised his hands in surrender as they moved closer to the front of the line. “Hey, I’m just the messenger here. I have no idea what’s going on.”

Cait studied him for a moment before asking, “When did you know you wanted to marry Viktor? You said you fell in love with him the moment you set eyes on him, like love at first sight. But when did you think, ‘I’m going to propose?’”

Jayce hesitated, he didn’t want to reach for the memories of his counterpart—he’d been quiet lately, and he didn’t want to wake them. Instead, he relied on his own emotions, untangling and reshaping them to make sense. “He believed in me. In ways no one else did, at a time when I needed him most and I knew… I knew I wanted to spend my life with him.”

Caitlyn looked earnest, prompting him again, “When? How long in?”

Jayce gave an awkward smile. “Not long, Sprout. I don’t know if I was immediately thinking about marriage—per say—but I always knew I wanted to spend my life with him.” Which was undeniably true. He opened his dream and heart to Viktor that night and from then on, the man had been his partner. Looking back, it was ridiculous that he had been so blind to it, “Marriage just seemed like the obvious step. The timing felt right when we were graduating.”

That he remembered clear as day. The beach, the ring, his mother taking photos. It was as if it was his own memory and not something placed there by someone else.

They reached the front of the line, and the ride operator gestured for them to sit. Jayce pulled the metal padded harness down over his shoulders as Cait spoke, her voice quiet and uncertain. “So… she isn’t sure about me then? She doesn’t want to spend her life with me.”

Jayce turned to her, his face full of sympathy. He was terrible at this. He was too concerned with how to phrase things in a way that would make sense for this world that he completely forgot the crux of the conversation. He just basically said that Vi should already know her feelings about marriage and that was just…not true at all. It took him way too long to realize he was in love with Viktor, and it was too hard to explain because that just didn’t align with this world’s version of them.

This world’s version of him had known that he was bi-sexual from the beginning, had seen Viktor and pursued him romantically from the start before even thinking about being partners in science. His counterpart had been chomping at the bit to marry Viktor—had to put a time limit on himself so he didn’t propose too soon.

He on the other hand took eight years of partnership, a short passionate fling with Mel and being taken by a wild rune and transported to another timeline wasteland where he was tortured for six months before he realized his feelings.

It was…really hard to give advice on this kind of thing when he couldn’t tell the whole truth. Sometimes it just takes people longer to come to terms with certain things. Jayce didn’t know what Vi’s hang up on marriage was exactly because he had barely been paying attention to her ranting that night, but he was sure it wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry Cait.

“Now, Sprout—”

The ride shot into the air, cutting him off with his own scream.

--------------

By the time they made it to the pumpkin patch, it was nearing 3 p.m., and the fatigue was starting to get to everyone. Jayce’s face was painted like a werewolf, a grinning caricature with gray streaks and exaggerated fangs that the artist insisted on enhancing because it would match Jayce’s natural teeth. Viktor, on the other hand, had a more understated look—a sleek black cat with delicate whiskers and a tiny nose painted on the tip of his own. It suited him, though his exhaustion dulled its charm.

They had just finished the haunted house, and it had been more of a trial than entertainment. Actors in grotesque make-up leaped from hidden corners, snarling or growling, but Viktor’s patience had run thin by the halfway mark. The ache in his body radiated outward, a constant, gnawing discomfort that neither the painkillers nor the anti-nausea medication had managed to fully suppress. Each step felt heavier than the last, and when an overzealous ‘zombie’ reached out for him, Viktor had raised his cane with a warning glare.

“I wouldn’t,” he said. The actor froze, his faux-terrifying demeanor crumbling into awkward hesitation. Jayce had quickly intervened, steering Viktor through the dimly lit hallways with a hand pressed firmly to his back.

Now, in the open expanse of the pumpkin patch, Viktor found some small solace in the sunlight, though it did little to counteract the persistent nausea that churned in his stomach. He leaned on his cane, scanning the field. Jayce walked beside him, eyes darting between the patch and Viktor’s pale, drawn face.

A few steps ahead, Vi’s voice carried over the sounds of families and children. “Mylo is absolutely losing it! He thinks Clag hid it from him on purpose or something.”

Caitlyn shook her head, her voice laced with disbelief. “I just don’t understand why he didn’t tell any of us. I can’t wait to meet her.”

Jinx, who was riding in the cart pulled by Ekko with Isha perched in her lap, added, “He’s trying to get her hooked really good before he reveals his chaotic family! That’s why he’s introducing her on Halloween—thinks we’ll all be too distracted to scare her off.”

The group laughed, their voices blending with the ambient chatter and laughter of the farm. Viktor lagged behind but managed a small smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He paused to adjust his weight, the cane taking more of the burden as the ache in his legs threatened to buckle them. Jayce turned to him. He was trying to hide his obvious concern to no avail.

“You okay, V?” he asked gently. “You don’t look good.”

Viktor met his eyes, his voice steady but the weariness was evident. “I would like to pick a pumpkin and go home.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed. “Should we tell Jinx not to come over? Are you sure you’re okay?”

Viktor sighed, the frustration boiling over. “Jayce, I need you to take me at my word. I would like to pick a pumpkin, then I would like to go home and lie down. Then, I would like to work on Jinx’s project. In that order. Life doesn’t stop just because I’m not feeling well. If that were true, then the world would have stopped turning ages ago.”

Jayce hesitated, his hand twitching as if he wanted to reach for Viktor but held himself back. “Okay, V. Here, let’s just grab a couple.”

He bent down, selecting two pumpkins from the ground near them. One was tall and slightly lopsided, the other round and heavy with deep grooves. Hoisting them in his arms, he called out to the group ahead as he deposited them into the rolling cart. “Hey, guys! I think we’re gonna head out!”

Jinx, catching the call, jogged back to them with a spring in her step. “Hey, Isha and I were gonna ride back with you guys!” she started, but her voice shifted when she got a good look at Viktor. “Oh… shit, Cookie, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s fine,” Viktor replied curtly, his voice clipped.

Jayce’s jaw tightened, his patience fraying. He turned to Viktor, his voice firm. “No, yeah, Viktor isn’t feeling well, so we’ve gotta head out early. But you can still come by—okay? We just have to leave now.”

Jinx hesitated, her usual zany manner replaced with a cautious seriousness. “If you can’t do tonight, I get it. Seriously, we can do it next weekend. Just send me your measurements—”

“I’m fine!” Viktor snapped, the sudden sharpness of his voice startling everyone.

The group fell silent, and Viktor deflated, his shoulders sagging. Jayce stepped closer, his voice soft and steady, using his body to block Viktor from view. “I’m about two seconds away from just throwing you over my shoulder and taking you home, V. I’m serious. We’re leaving.”

Viktor looked up at him, his expression crumpling slightly. Just enough for Jayce to see it. “I’m sorry. I should not have raised my voice.”

Jayce cupped his face gently, his thumb brushing over Viktor’s cheekbone. “Hey, it’s okay, V. I just can’t stand here and let you push yourself like this. We should’ve left hours ago.”

Caitlyn stepped forward. Her voice was careful—cautious. “Hey, if you guys need to go, we can bring all your stuff tomorrow when we come over for pumpkin carving. We’ll take your cart… I mean, if it’s still okay that we come.”

Jayce nodded, “We’ve got it, Cait. I already picked the pumpkins, and tomorrow’s fine. Seriously, everything’s okay.”

From behind Jayce, Viktor’s voice rang out, steadier now. “Jinx, I expect you to be at our place when you are finished here. There is no justification to procrastinate on your thesis. You won’t use me as an excuse.”

Jinx laughed, though it was more subdued than her usual, “Okay, I’ll be there. Take a nap, old man!”

Viktor hummed faintly in reply, already turning to make his way back to the entrance. Jayce waved at the group, grabbing the cart handle before following him.

The walk to the weighing tent was quiet, the crunch of gravel under their feet the only sound between them. Viktor leaned heavily on his cane, each step he took was considered and slow. Viktor could tell that Jayce was trying not to reach out and he was grateful for it. It was one thing to have to leave early and it was another entirely to feel like an invalid. He knew this was bothering his partner, he felt Jayce might deserve a reward for keeping himself in check. Viktor did truly believe that Jayce might have thrown him over his shoulder if Viktor had tried to protest anymore.

At the tent, the attendant greeted them with a warm smile, taking the pumpkins from the cart and setting them on the scale. Jayce fished out his wallet, paying quickly while Viktor shifted his weight. They were absurdly expensive, at least to what Viktor thought two squashes should cost. Once the pumpkins were paid for and placed back in the cart they started to the entrance.

Jayce turned to Viktor as they passed under the large arch, his jaw tightening as he took in the pale complexion and dark shadows under his eyes. Viktor looked like a wilting flower.

Jayce stepped closer, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Here are the options, Viktor, and I’m not going to argue with you. You wait here for me to bring the car to the front, or I’m carrying you. You’re not walking anymore, and that’s final.”

Viktor straightened slightly, his brows furrowing as he met Jayce’s determined gaze. “Those are the only options?”

Jayce crossed his arms, firm in his stance. “Well, you can ride in the cart if we put the pumpkins in your lap,” he added, teasing. He was trying to soften the blow of the general situation and Viktor was grateful for it.

Viktor exhaled a weak laugh, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “I’m not sure which will be more humiliating.”

Jayce relaxed, reaching out to brush Viktor’s arm. “It’s not humiliating at all, V. It just is. So, what’ll it be?”

Viktor regarded him for a moment, the weight of exhaustion baring down on him. Finally, he nodded toward the crowded parking area. “Bring the car, darling. I will wait here.”

Jayce nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Good choice, precious. I’ll be quick.”

Jayce left the cart near Viktor and jogged off toward the parking lot, weaving between rows of haphazardly parked cars until he reached their vehicle. He maneuvered it carefully toward the entrance, avoiding clusters of pedestrians as he edged closer. By the time he pulled up, Viktor was leaning heavily on his cane, his frame slouched over his cane, and his face drawn with fatigue.

Jayce jumped out of the car, rushing to Viktor’s side. “Alright, let’s get you in.”

Viktor waved him off half-heartedly, his usual pride flickering despite his clear exhaustion. “Jayce, I am not an invalid—”

“Viktor,” Jayce interrupted gently, his hands already steadying Viktor’s arm. “Let me take care of you, okay?”

Viktor didn’t protest further as Jayce eased him into the passenger seat. Even as Viktor weakly swatted at Jayce’s hands, it lacked conviction, and Jayce could see how much his lover needed the support. Once Viktor settled, Jayce loaded the pumpkins into the trunk and all the other goodies he bought, he returned the cart nearby for the staff to retrieve.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, Jayce glanced over at Viktor, who was already leaning back against the headrest, his eyelids heavy. The drone of the engine seemed to lull him almost instantly. Within five minutes, Viktor was fast asleep, his head tilted toward the window, his breath evening out.

Jayce adjusted the rearview mirror and sighed, his heart aching at the sight of Viktor’s frail form. He looked so fragile like this. Like a spun sugar sculpture, delicate and exquisite, beautiful yet heartbreakingly ephemeral. He could never tell Viktor that, of course; he would hate the comparison. He still seemed to have issues accepting his limitations, his fragility wasn’t something he thought was attractive about himself. Jayce wondered even through everything if he would ever be able to convince Viktor that he was perfect as he was, that he didn’t need to push himself or change in any way. That when Jayce looked at him, on a good day or a bad one, he was just as beautiful. Just as inspiring.

Reaching over, Jayce gently squeezed Viktor’s knee, “Rest, precious,” he murmured to himself, “I’ve got you.”

--------------

As Jayce reached across to unbuckle his seatbelt, Viktor stirred, his hand weakly pressing against Jayce’s forearm. “Jayce,” he mumbled, his voice hoarse from sleeping the whole car ride.

Jayce didn’t stop. His face was resolute, eyebrows drawn low over his worried hazel eyes, his lips pressed into a firm frown. “No, V. I’m carrying you up. I don’t care. You can yell at me all you want, you can hit me, but I’m carrying you whether you like it or not.”

Viktor sighed, the sound trembling as he tried to summon the energy to protest. The effort was futile. His body felt heavy, like a stone sinking into the seat. His head spun with dizziness, the sharp edges of nausea gnawing at him relentlessly. His lungs felt like they were ablaze, each breath a laborious, stinging thing.

He wanted to fight Jayce on principle, to tell him that he wasn’t helpless, but the truth was… he couldn’t do this on his own. So, he didn’t argue. Instead, Viktor let his weight slump into Jayce’s strong arms as he was lifted from the car. Jayce used his foot to slam the door closed.

As Jayce cradled him close, Viktor wrapped his arms around Jayce’s neck, resting his cheek against his broad shoulder. He focused on the steady rhythm of Jayce’s breathing, the familiar warmth of his chest. He smelled like this cologne from this morning mixed with the sweat from the day. The harder he tried to stay composed, the more cracks appeared in the fragile dam holding back his emotions. His face grew unbearably hot, tears pooling in his eyes despite his attempts to keep them at bay. He clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth. He had never fallen apart this completely, not often at least and never in front of someone. In front of Jayce.

Jayce noticed, of course. He always noticed. But he didn’t say a word, didn’t call attention to Viktor’s silent struggle. He just adjusted his grip, holding Viktor even closer as he approached the entrance and the elevator. His steps ringing through the silent garage.

The elevator ride was quiet except for the faint hum of the machinery, and Viktor focused on that sound, on the rise and fall of Jayce’s chest as it pressed against him. He could feel his composure crumbling, the tears threatening to spill over. His body hurt too much, his mind was too exhausted, and the sheer vulnerability of being carried like this was too much to bear.

The first sob escaped, raw and uncontrollable. It wracked through Viktor’s body, setting off a dry, rasping cough that rattled his chest painfully, making the tears flow even harder.

Jayce held him tighter, murmuring softly, “I’ve got you, precious. I’ve got you.”

Viktor buried his face against Jayce’s shoulder, trying and failing to muffle the sound of his sobs. He couldn’t stop now, the release overtaking him completely. He barely registered the apartment door opening or the way Jayce gently maneuvered them inside. By the time Jayce laid him on the bed, Viktor was spent, his body trembling with the aftershocks of emotion and fatigue. He clung to Jayce, unwilling to let go, as if doing so might send him spiraling.

Jayce’s voice was soft, grounding. “Precious, I need to get these clothes off you, and then we can lay down for a while, okay?”

Viktor didn’t answer, didn’t trust himself to speak. Instead, he raised a trembling hand to cover his face, hiding from Jayce the only way he could. He felt stripped bare already, the last thing he wanted was to be seen like this.

Jayce didn’t press him. He worked at removing Viktor’s shoes and socks, his leg brace then his pants, and finally his shirt. Each motion was gentle, respectful, as if Viktor were made of porcelain. He sat Viktor up to start undoing the straps and hooks of his back brace.

“Do you want a bath before or after, precious?” Jayce whispered, his lips brushing against Viktor’s temple.

Viktor turned his face slightly away, his voice brittle as he whispered, “I want to be alone.”

Jayce stilled for a moment, his breath warm against Viktor’s face. Then he said, “No. Before or after?”

The denial was simple. No argument, no fighting. Just no, he wouldn’t be leaving Viktor alone any time soon.

Viktor hesitated, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. He didn’t have the energy to fight, nor did he truly want to be alone, but the shame still clung to him, making him want to retreat. Finally, he exhaled shakily and said, “Before.”

“Okay,” Jayce said gently, and then the warmth of his body was gone, leaving Viktor feeling oddly weightless as he sat there, dropping his hands from his face to rest on his bent knees.

He let himself fall over softly and lay there, eyes closed, trying to collect himself as he heard Jayce moving around the bathroom—the water running, cabinets opening and closing. This was the worst he had ever felt he thought. Even before in his own life, this was the worst. The ache easing its way through is entire body, his head down his neck—shoulders—arms—back—hips—legs—toes. Nothing was left. It was everything, every breath an agony.

By the time Jayce returned, Viktor’s tears had stopped. Without hesitation, Jayce began to strip away the last of Viktor’s clothing—his underwear. There was no ceremony to it, no hesitation in Jayce’s hands as he peeled away the fabric.

Viktor didn’t resist, tried not to let himself give into despair again. He kept his eyes closed, his body limp and compliant, trusting Jayce’s steady hands completely.

Jayce’s voice was low, soothing. “Almost there, precious.”

Then, with the same tenderness he’d shown before, Jayce slipped his arms under Viktor, lifting him as if he weighed nothing. Viktor didn’t protest, couldn’t even muster the will to. He let his head rest against Jayce’s shoulder, his breath shallow and ragged as Jayce carried him into the bathroom.

The sound of the running water grew louder, the warm, humid air enveloping them as Jayce knelt and gently lowered Viktor into the tub. The water was perfectly warm, lapping at Viktor’s skin as he sank into its embrace. He lay back, his body unfurling slightly, the heat seeping into his aching muscles and dulling the sharp edges of his discomfort.

Jayce lingered for a moment, his hands steadying Viktor until he was sure he was settled. The tub was only about half full, the water still pouring down from the faucet in a jetting torrent. The beat of it massaging Viktor’s shins.

Jayce stood and stripped with quick, measured movements. He was still in the face paint they got at the pumpkin patch. Viktor opened his eyes and watched, his lips parting as if to comment on it but he didn’t have the energy to be funny. The face paint made everything oddly surreal, like what was happening wasn’t as serious as he was making it out to be. Then Jayce was lowering himself into the water, his strong frame folding behind Viktor like a shield.

The water rippled as Jayce settled in, his legs bracketing Viktor’s hips as he gently pulled the smaller man against his chest. His body displacing the liquid filling the tub practically full. Viktor exhaled slowly, trying to focus on his breathing as Jayce’s solid warmth wrapped around him, covering him—consuming him.

When the bath was full, Jayce reached over to turn the water off, the room falling into a still, almost sacred quiet. For a while, neither of them spoke. Viktor’s eyes fluttered shut, and he let the heat of the water and Jayce’s steady presence soothe him as much as they could.

Jayce pressed his lips to Viktor’s damp shoulder, a soft kiss that trailed upward to the curve of his neck and finally his cheek. “How are you feeling now, precious?” he murmured, his voice low and tender.

Viktor didn’t trust himself to answer. His throat felt tight, and he knew the moment he tried to speak, he would break again. Instead, he turned slowly, his body shifting until his face was buried in the crook of Jayce’s neck. The water sloshed softly with the movement, but Jayce didn’t mind. He just held Viktor tighter, his arms squeezing protectively as he pressed kiss after kiss to Viktor’s temple, his forehead, his cheek.

They stayed like that for a while, the silence wrapping around them like the warmth of the water. Viktor’s breathing began to even out, though his hands trembled faintly where they rested against Jayce’s chest. He was getting hairier as the days went on. Viktor pressed and ran his fingers along the hair across Jayce’s muscled chest. The Jayce in his memories, from their past life…never had hair on his chest that he could remember. He was always smooth—clean, shaven face and smooth chest. Viktor realized that it was probably clean shaven too. He had never given it much thought beyond the general lust he felt whenever he visited Jayce in the forge. All those glistening sweaty muscles on display. Viktor liked this, the hair wasn’t like his sad little patch, it covered Jayce completely from his collar bones down to his stomach.

Jayce’s voice broke the quiet, his words hesitant and loaded with a heaviness that Viktor could feel as much as hear.

“Sometimes I dream of the wasteland,” Jayce said, his tone far away, as if he were pulling the memories from a distant corner of his mind. “Being in pain and alone… eating… the strange creatures that crawled down in the gorge.”

Viktor didn’t respond immediately, but his hand drifted upward, his fingers brushing over Jayce’s jaw before they found their way to his scalp. He ran his nails lightly through the short peach fuzz there. He lingered at the edges where the hair was starting to grow out, and a fleeting thought crossed his mind—he hoped Jayce would let it grow. He had been so handsome at the end. He was always handsome but there had been something to that look, with his hair grown out with the thick beard.

Jayce’s arms flexed somewhat, holding Viktor even tighter as he continued, his voice thick. “I was tormented by my decisions—by you, by Mel… by magic… the Arcane. It was a nightmare, V.”

Viktor’s voice, when it finally came, was rough and barely audible. “I’m so sorry, Jayce.” He nuzzled his face further into Jayce’s neck.

Jayce’s grip on him tightened reflexively, his breath hitching slightly. “I would go through that a thousand times, Viktor,” he said fervently, his voice breaking on the words. “To never have to see you cry like that ever again.”

Viktor tilted his head slightly, his lips brushing against Jayce’s collarbone. “Jayce—”

“Don’t apologize,” Jayce interrupted, his tone pleading. “Please. Please. I… don’t want you to hide anything from me. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t show me this side of… everything. But I can’t hide how… scared it makes me feel, precious.”

Viktor didn’t reply, his fingers still threading through Jayce’s hair in gentle strokes. They sat in silence, their breathing eventually syncing as the water around them began to cool.

“We should probably wash this paint off our faces?” Viktor tried for levity, and it worked, Jayce chuckled.

Jayce pulled back, smiling as he met Viktor’s gaze. “Yeah, probably, but you look cute as hell as a cat. Maybe you should’ve chosen that for Halloween instead of a clown.”

Viktor raised a brow, his lips twitching into a faint smile. “I thought you wanted to be clowns together?”

Jayce didn’t answer with words; instead, he leaned in, capturing Viktor’s lips in a soft kiss before reaching for a washcloth. Wetting it in the cooling bathwater, he began gently wiping away the paint from Viktor’s face.

Viktor closed his eyes, leaning into the warmth of the damp cloth. The heat of the bath had soothed some of his aches, though not entirely. His nausea still lurked in the background, threatening to resurface, and the persistent ache in his right leg and hip was stubbornly unyielding. But for now, he focused on Jayce’s careful touch, letting it anchor him.

The cloth disappeared, and in its place, Jayce’s lips pressed featherlight kisses across Viktor’s freshly cleaned face. Viktor couldn’t help but smile at the tender gesture.

“All done, precious,” Jayce murmured.

Viktor opened his eyes, his smile softening as he looked up into Jayce’s playful gaze, his werewolf face still intact. “Would you like me to do you?”

Jayce’s grin widened. “Nah, I’ve got it.”

True to his word, Jayce began scrubbing his own face with far less care, the rough motions eliciting a bemused look from Viktor as he reclined back into the water.

Afterward, they lay in the bath together, the stillness wrapping around them like a blanket. Viktor rested his head against Jayce’s chest, his fingers idly tracing patterns in the hair there. As his body grew heavier with the pull of sleep, the pain seemed to fade further into the background.

“Did you used to shave this?” Viktor asked suddenly, his tone contemplative.

Jayce chuckled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through Viktor. “Yeah, actually. About every other day.”

Viktor hummed softly, his fingers continuing their exploration. “I like it.”

Jayce tilted his head to press a kiss to Viktor’s forehead. “Yeah? What else do you like? You like the beard, you like my chest hair… anything else?”

Viktor gave him a wry look. “Are you needling me for compliments now?”

Jayce grinned. “I just want to know what you like. I would’ve shaved if you said you didn’t like the beard. No beard is my preference, though.”

Viktor reached up, his fingers threading through Jayce’s beard. “You shouldn’t do things just because I like them. If you don’t like it, you should shave it. Look what I did to my hair when you said no.”

Jayce laughed, pulling Viktor closer so they were chest to chest. “I really like the hair, V,” he said, running his fingers through the damp locks. “I also don’t mind the beard. I like that you like it, and this,” he leaned into Viktor’s touch, “feels nice.”

Viktor scratched more, his lips curving into a small smile. “I like—love—everything about you, Jayce. Have I not told you that you’re handsome?”

Jayce’s eyes melted into that warm, consuming look Viktor was learning to read so well. “Yeah, I know I’m handsome—tell me what you like anyway.”

“Your teeth.”

Jayce barked out a laugh, the sound reverberating through Viktor. “My teeth? I wasn’t expecting that.”

Viktor’s fingers trailed down to rest against Jayce’s chest again. “Your front teeth have a little gap, and your incisors are… pointy.”

Jayce leaned forward, nipping gently at Viktor’s cheek. “I like your teeth too, V.”

“And your hands.”

Jayce’s hands slid up Viktor’s back, large and warm, spanning the slender expanse of his body. “Yeah?”

“Hmm.”

“I like how you fit in my hands,” Jayce murmured into Viktor’s hair, his fingers stroking a soothing rhythm along Viktor’s back.

Viktor sighed softly, his body relaxing completely against Jayce. He was practically falling asleep on Jayce’s damp shoulder.

Jayce eventually shifted, the cooling water nudging him into motion. “Come on, precious,” he murmured softly against Viktor’s hair, “let’s get you out of here and into bed before you pass out.”

Viktor didn’t protest. He was too tired, too drained to do much more than let himself be moved like driftwood in the tide. Jayce’s movements were careful, the water rippling as he gently helped Viktor sit up and then support him as he stood. Viktor shivered as the cool air kissed his skin, but Jayce was already grabbing a towel, wrapping it securely around him before quickly tending to himself.

“Just lean on me,” Jayce said, as he guided Viktor out of the bathroom. Once in the bedroom, Jayce crouched slightly, his arms sliding beneath Viktor’s knees and back. Viktor’s body instinctively tensed, but the fight drained from him just as quickly. “Jayce,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

“Shh,” Jayce murmured, lifting him with ease. “Let me do this. Just let me take care of you.”

Viktor’s head rested against Jayce’s shoulder, his eyes half-lidded and heavy. The soft pat of Jayce’s footsteps lulled him into a haze, and before he realized it, they were in the bedroom. Jayce set him down on the bed, the towel slipping slightly from his shoulders.

The mattress dipped as Jayce knelt beside him, reaching for another towel to dry Viktor’s damp hair. Viktor let his eyes close, letting himself lean into the quiet comfort Jayce provided. He felt the gentle patting of the towel on his arms, then his legs. When Jayce moved to pull back the blankets and tuck him in, Viktor opened his eyes, the smallest hint of a smile ghosting over his lips.

“You’re going to spoil me,” Viktor murmured faintly.

Jayce leaned down, pressing a kiss to Viktor’s forehead. “Good. You deserve it, precious.”

--------------

Jayce lay in bed, propped on one elbow, watching Viktor sleep for what was probably an unreasonable amount of time. The soft drone of the oxygen machine was the only noise in the apartment. Jayce had convinced him to use the machine, and Viktor had fallen asleep almost instantly, his body finally succumbing to the rest it so desperately needed. Even in sleep, Viktor looked exhausted, the dark circles under his eyes pronounced and his breathing uneven, but at least it was steady.

Jayce sighed, pressing a light kiss to Viktor’s temple before slipping out of bed as quietly as possible. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and padded out into the living room, the dim glow from the foyer the only light. Settling onto the couch, he began scrolling through his phone, searching for pulmonary specialists. He tapped through profiles and reviews, trying to discern who might be the best fit. He had no idea what he was looking for or what would make someone a good fit for Viktor. The task was overwhelming.

All he knew was that he didn’t like this treatment, and Viktor wasn’t going to stop it completely until he lined up another doctor or two. There was something about that Dr. Reveck that made Viktor trust him, be it a reminder of home, or the idea of curing something impossible, Viktor seemed to feel safe with the man when before he was more than willing to stop it.

A soft knock at the door broke his focus. He frowned, glancing at the time before setting his phone down and walking to the door. When he opened it, Jinx stood there, her usual zany energy noticeably dialed down. She shifted on her feet, her hands stuffed into her oversized jacket pockets.

“Hey,” she greeted, her voice softer than usual. “If he’s not feeling well, I can head out… He seemed to want me to come anyway, but…”

Jayce shook his head, cutting her off gently. “Yeah, he’s sleeping, but you can come in.” He stepped aside, letting her in. “Where’s the little one?”

Jinx shrugged as she kicked off her boots and tossed her jacket onto the rack. “Figured I’d leave her at home. Wasn’t sure if we’d be staying or not.”

Jayce nodded and gave her a small smile. “Well, I can help with it while he’s out,” he offered, gesturing toward the hall as they made their way into the apartment.

Jinx raised a brow, but her lips quirked into a grin. “Ok, wonder boy, let’s do it.”

They stepped into the lab. Jayce went to one of the workbenches and unrolled a set of blueprints, flattening them against the surface. “Here,” he said, gesturing to the detailed drawings. “I’ve been working on these. Still need to finish the forge first, though.”

The forge was only half built, he hadn’t gotten back to it after seeing Dr. Reveck Thursday. He had spent all yesterday getting things ready for their date.

Jinx leaned in, tracing the lines with a finger, the pink nail polish chipped. Her sharp eyes darted over the plans, “Damn, Loverboy. You really went all out.” She smirked, but it lacked her usual chaotic edge. The faint tension in her jaw betrayed the concern she was trying to mask.

Jayce offered a small smile in return and set to work on his forge while Jinx went to her equations. They worked together in relative silence, the clink of metal, the scrape of mortar and scribble of equations filling the room.

After a while, Jinx broke the quiet, her voice softer than usual. “Is he going to be okay?”

Jayce froze mid-motion, his wrench slipping slightly in his grip. He looked up, “Yeah,” he said quickly, though his voice wavered. “I…I’m finding him another doctor, and he’s going to get better.”

Jinx tilted her head, studying him, “I thought he liked the guy you guys were seeing,” she said, “That he was… ‘a visionary’ that his work was ‘reminiscent of the alchemists’ and what he was trying to do was ‘groundbreaking’”

Jinx quoted Viktor’s obvious words with her fingers and did a better job at replicating his accent than Caitlyn had earlier that day.

Jayce set the wrench down with a sharp exhale, leaning heavily on the edge of the workbench. “I don’t like the guy,” he admitted. He paused, struggling to put his unease into words. “And the treatment…” He trailed off, shaking his head. It wasn’t something he could articulate—not without unraveling the tangled mess of fear and doubt inside him. He didn’t want to reveal more than Viktor would either. He couldn’t say that the treatment made Viktor so sick he could barely move. Viktor wouldn’t like people to know, and Jayce was grateful that the man allowed him to see him that way today—he wasn’t going to betray that trust.

Jinx didn’t press, but the look she gave him made it clear she’d picked up on more than he wanted her to. They both turned back to their work, the tension lingering in the air.

The quiet was broken by the faint sound of a cane tapping down the hallway. Jayce’s head snapped up, and he immediately set down his tools, striding toward the door just as Viktor entered the lab.

Viktor looked thoroughly exhausted. He was draped in Jayce’s oversized robe, his hair was an absolute riot around his head, and he had the new red throw blanket from their loveseat wrapped snugly around his shoulders as he stepped inside, his movements slower than usual.

“V, you okay?” Jayce was at his side in an instant, hands gripping Viktor’s arms. He stopped himself from pulling Viktor into a full embrace, conscious of Jinx’s presence.

“I am… better now, love. Perhaps,” Viktor paused, looking up at Jayce with tired but fond eyes, “perhaps you could make me some tea, please?”

The request sent a wave of warmth through Jayce, softening the tight lines of worry on his face. He let his forehead rest against Viktor’s briefly before wrapping him in a gentle hug. “Would you like the lavender chamomile or the fennel and peppermint?”

Viktor leaned into the embrace, his hands lightly brushing Jayce’s back. “The peppermint, I think.”

“Okay, precious, I’ll be right back.” Jayce kissed his forehead and reluctantly stepped away, leaving Viktor to make his way into the lab.

Viktor sat on one of the stools near the workbench, lowering himself onto it carefully, his movements slow and cautious. He pulled the red throw blanket tighter around his shoulders as he assessed the changes to the white boards and looked over the blueprints still laid out over the surface.

“What are you working on?” Viktor asked, his voice still raspy from sleep but carrying its usual curiosity. “Any breakthroughs while I slept?”

Jinx glanced up from where she was bent over a set of calculations, her pencil tapping against the paper. She smirked, her usual mischievous glint returning to her eyes. “Nah, your Loverboy’s been building his own damn forge with his bare hands.” She jerked her head toward Jayce’s handiwork before turning back to her notes. “Meanwhile, I’m stuck on the equation for the synchronization.”

Viktor chuckled softly, “He is quite good with his hands.”

“Gross!”

“Let me see this equation.” Viktor leaned forward as Jinx pushed the notebook his way.

Jayce re-entered after only a few minutes, carrying a steaming mug of tea. He set it down in front of Viktor. “Here you go, precious.” He leaned in to press a kiss to Viktor’s temple before turning back to his project, catching Jinx’s smirk out of the corner of his eye. “What?”

“Nothing,” she said innocently, though her grin betrayed her. “you’re just going full blacksmith over there.”

“Someone has to, can’t leave the welding to you when it turns out like that.”

“Asshole!”

--------------

It had been a couple of hours of working through equations and grappling with stubborn numbers when Jinx finally snapped, tossing her pencil onto the desk with a dramatic flourish. “Alright! Enough of this! I can’t look at this math a moment longer, or else my head might actually explode.”

Viktor, leaning heavily on one arm, absently rubbing his temple, gave a small nod. “Mm, yes, I am not at my best this evening either.”

Jinx turned to him, her hands planted on her hips. “Forget this, Cookie! Let’s smoke some haze and then watch a horror movie on that shiny new projector I saw hanging up out there.”

Jayce, covered in a thin layer of brick dust and mortar from working on sanding the inside of the forge, popped his head up from where he was crouched by his tools. “Smoke some haze? What does that even mean?” His confused frown deepened, making Jinx freeze mid-step, eyes wide.

“Oh, shit, I forgot you were in here,” Jinx muttered, not looking particularly sorry.

Viktor, already beginning to rise from his chair, glanced at her and waved dismissively. “I will meet you on the balcony.”

“Did you hide the stuff somewhere, or is it still in the guest room?” Jinx asked, bouncing lightly on her toes.

“I didn’t move it,” Viktor replied, smoothing his robe as he stood.

She bounded out of the room, and Jayce straightened, wiping his hands off on a towel as he trailed after Viktor. “What does she mean by ‘smoke some haze,’ V?”

Viktor looked at him through his long lashes. He looked coy, demure, sexy and it made Jayce pause mid step. “Will you be annoying about it if I tell you?”

Jayce crossed his arms, immediately defensive. “Depends, V.”

Viktor sighed softly as they reached the balcony doors, “It is smoking… it is a drug-type plant.”

Jayce’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re going to smoke a drug? That’s what you’re telling me?”

Viktor shrugged, stepping onto the balcony. “Jayce, my love, please don’t be annoying about it.”

Jayce hesitated, clearly wanting to protest. His mouth opened, then closed, before he slumped against the doorframe. “How is smoking a drug a good thing for you to be doing on all these pills you’re on, precious? I can’t imagine it’s good for you.”

Viktor turned to him, and his voice softened with weary patience. “Jayce, darling—love—summer dove, I don’t care right now. Will you join us, or no?”

Jayce huffed but stepped onto the balcony after him. “Fine. But I’m not going to pretend that I like it.”

Jinx sauntered out onto the balcony, a joint dangling between her fingers and a lighter in the other hand. She raised an eyebrow at Jayce, her grin mischievous. “Ooooh, is lover boy going to take a hit?”

Jayce crossed his arms skeptically. “I guess… are there only two chairs out here?”

Jinx flopped into one of the seats dramatically, slumping down with her legs spread wide and gestured grandly at the remaining chair. Viktor motioned for Jayce to sit, but Jayce hesitated. “No, you take it—”

“Just sit down, you big oaf. I am going to sit in your lap,” Viktor interrupted, his voice dry. He had one of his sardonic faces, but his eyes said it was all in good humor.

That perked Jayce right up.

He gave a sheepish smile, lowering himself into the chair and gratefully welcoming Viktor into his lap. The smaller man settled against him, and Jayce’s grin widened into something radiant. Jinx watched the interaction and shook her head, her smile softening into something more genuine.

“I wish I could say you guys are gross,” she said, lighting the joint, “but I actually appreciate seeing you like this. It gives me hope that Ekko and I will be like this in 10 years. Still in love with each other and shit even when life goes sideways, you know?”

Viktor gave a small hum of acknowledgment, his head resting lightly against Jayce’s shoulder. “I am glad we can somehow be that for you despite everything.”

Jinx took the first drag and passed the joint to Viktor, who held it delicately between his fingers before taking a slow pull. He barely got the smoke into his lungs before a coughing fit overtook him, his lean frame shaking as Jayce immediately rubbed his back with a worried frown.

“Shit, V!” Jayce muttered, his hand steady on Viktor’s spine.

Jinx erupted into laughter, her real laugh—the sharp, unabashed sound that hadn’t made an appearance all evening. “Every. Single. Time!”

Viktor waved his hand dismissively as his coughs subsided, his face flushed from the effort. On his second attempt, the inhale was smoother, though he still felt the slight tickle in his throat.

“This can’t be good for you, precious,” Jayce murmured, his disapproval clear despite his gentle demeanor. He was still rubbing his hand up and down Viktor’s back.

Viktor exhaled a thin stream of smoke, he took another ‘hit,’ then handed the joint to Jayce. “Just smoke it, Jayce. I don’t need the commentary on my poor choices.”

Jayce hesitated, eyeing the joint as though it might attack him, but he didn’t want to be the odd one out again—accused of being no fun. He took a cautious puff—and immediately erupted into a coughing fit so violent it nearly dislodged Viktor from his lap. Jinx howled with laughter, her chair creaking as she doubled over.

“Amateur!” she declared between laughs, wiping a tear from her eye.

Jayce waved his hand in surrender, still hacking. “That’s it—I’m done. Never again.”

Jinx jerked forward and snatched the joint from his hand with an exaggerated tut, taking her own deep drag before she passed it back to Viktor. The two continued to share it until it burned out, the haze of smoke curling around them then dissipating into the night.

“I could really go for one of those cheese potato sticks, again.” Viktor mused, he was feeling in good humor and also quite hungry.

Jinx blew a smoke ring, “Fuuuuck yeah, shit those were good. I wonder if we can find them at the Asian market.”

Jayce nuzzled his face against Viktor’s hair, “You hungry, ba-precious?”

Viktor took one last drag from the dying joint before handing the little ember back to Jinx to finish it off, “I am, yes.”

“So, you get any horror movies when you went on your projector buying spree?” Jinx asked, tilting her head toward Jayce, grinding out the bud in the little dish on the table.

Jayce furrowed his brow, caught off guard. “How do you know I went on a buying spree?”

Viktor giggled softly. He leaned back further into Jayce’s chest, clearly enjoying the moment. Jinx rolled her eyes with a ‘duh’ expression plastered across her face. “Uh, because I have eyes. You didn’t have a projector or any fucking Blu-rays last week, and now suddenly you’ve got yourself a little treasure trove. So—any horror, or does it have Wi-Fi?”

Jayce scratched the back of his neck, “Uh—honestly, I have no idea what movies I got. I think mostly Ghibli, some Disney,” Jayce tried to wrack his brain, but he mostly just clicked on stuff in the ‘recommended for you’ section that would pop up after he bought something, “but yeah, I—uh, think it has Wi-Fi. At least the box said it did.”

He wasn’t entirely sure what Wi-Fi was, only that it was connected to the ‘internet’ which is how he had access to the google archive.

Jinx hopped up with newfound energy, practically skipping back into the apartment. “I’m going to check!” she called, leaving Jayce and Viktor alone on the balcony.

Jayce frowned slightly, glancing down at Viktor. “Why would we want to watch something horrific?”

Viktor turned in his lap to face him, a gentle smile playing on his lips. Without warning, he leaned forward and kissed Jayce softly on the mouth. When he pulled back, Jayce blinked, startled but pleasantly surprised. “What was that for?”

Viktor’s amber eyes shimmered with warmth as he replied, “You’re very good, Jayce. You are too good.”

Jayce tilted his head, studying him. “You’re out of it, aren’t you?”

Viktor chuckled, “I feel better than I have all day… well, besides how I felt this morning.” He leaned in again, his lips finding Jayce’s for a deeper, slower kiss. Jayce groaned into it, his hand sliding up to tangle in Viktor’s hair, pulling him closer. Viktor slipped his tongue against Jayce’s with a quiet moan.

But after only a few more seconds, Jayce pulled back with a shaky breath, his voice rough with affection. “Mmmm, precious, you keep this up and I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you.”

Viktor trailed his lips along Jayce’s jaw. “Yes, we must restrain ourselves.”

With that, he stood from Jayce’s lap, straightening his robe as Jayce reluctantly let him go.

“What will you make me then?” Viktor asked with a little smirk on his face, obviously teasing.

Jayce couldn’t help but grin, he liked Viktor expecting things from him. Asking for things—demanding them even.

“What do you want? I don’t think I have the stuff for the potato sticks, but I could pan fry some potatoes and melt cheese on top of it.”

“Yes.”

As they entered the apartment and slid the door closed behind them, they found Jinx in the living room, crouched in front of the entertainment setup and scrolled through an account on the projector. She turned to them with an eager grin. “I’m thinking something classic. Nightmare on Elm Street?”

Jayce and Viktor exchanged a glance before shrugging and nodding in unison, entirely unaware of what they’d just agreed to.

--------------

The apartment was full and loud. Every corner was alive with the sound of carving tools scraping against pumpkins. Cait and Vi had claimed their spots at the barstools. Ekko, Jinx, Isha, and Viktor were clustered at the breakfast table leaving Jayce standing at the island, the odd man out without a chair. He didn’t mind, though. It gave him the perfect vantage point to watch everyone.

Jayce had come prepared. He’d spent the morning researching classic jack-o’-lantern designs, determined to carve the perfect pumpkin.

Very quickly into the carving process, Jayce realized the pumpkin he’d chosen wasn’t the best for carving. Its deep grooves made it difficult to map out the face and carve with precision. Everyone else seemed to have picked pumpkins with smoother surfaces. The one he had ended up picking for Viktor was tall, and slightly lopsided, but had a perfectly flat face ideal for carving. He had no idea what he was doing when he had picked the pumpkins he picked, he had been too worried about Viktor to really care at that point.

But Jayce wasn’t going to let a curvaceous pumpkin stop him.

The triangle eyes and jagged grin were slowly taking shape. Occasionally, he glanced over at Viktor, who was engrossed in his work. The sleeves of Viktor’s sweater were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his slender forearms, and his hair was swept into a tidy bun. He kept his pumpkin’s design hidden, shielding it from view as he carved with quiet concentration.

Jayce’s attention wandered, drawn to the small mole on Viktor’s left wrist that peeked out whenever he moved. It was ridiculous how something so simple could captivate him, but he couldn’t help it. Everything about Viktor held his gaze, even in moments like this.

“What are you hiding?” Jinx asked, squinting at Viktor’s pumpkin.

“You’ll see,” Viktor replied, not looking up from his work. He was using the smaller more delicate tools that Cait had brought. Little mini scalpel looking knives and sharp picks.

“I bet it’s going to be something science-y again, like last year, because you’re an irredeemable nerd,” Jinx teased.

“It sounds like you might be jealous. You should work on that,” Viktor retorted smoothly.

“Jealous?! Look at my sick design! Beat that, Commie!” Jinx shot back, gesturing to her pumpkin with exaggerated pride. Her pumpkin was already half finished, a crescent moon and cat design sketched out in bold marker lines on the orange surface.

“Is that another implication of me being Russian? Because I am not Russian, and so it does not bother me,” Viktor said dryly.

“Sure sounds like it does,” Jinx smirked.

 “She says that like we’re not part of the Socialist Party of America where she comes to the meetings every Thursday night,” Ekko chimed in with a grin.

Ekko had mostly given up on his own carving project, focusing instead on making sure little Isha didn’t hurt herself with the small carving knife she was using.

“You’re a socialist; I’m an anarchist,” Jinx said with a dramatic flourish.

“Well, you’re a registered member of the Socialist Party,” Ekko countered.

“Well, you can’t really register to be an anarchist, can you?! That kind of goes against the whole thing. Also, I only go to those meetings for you, baby-boy, for moral support. Love watching you create community and be a revolutionary,” Jinx replied, throwing an arm around Ekko’s shoulders and pressing a loud wet kiss to his cheek which made Isha scrunch up her face in disgust.

“There are anarchist groups,” Ekko offered lightly. “I’d support you.”

“Jesus, can we not talk about politics during our pumpkin carving night?” Vi interrupted, leaning back in her chair with an exasperated sigh. Her pumpkin was almost as rough as Isha’s.

Cait was focused on her intricate design, using a delicate stencil of a witch riding a broomstick. She wasn’t cutting all the way through the pumpkin but rather shaved away the tough skin to create a glowing lantern effect. She didn’t seem to be paying much mind to the conversation.

Jinx pointed dramatically. “Ope—your centrist liberal Democrat is showing, Vi.”

“I’m not a fucking Democrat,” Vi shot back.

Jayce wasn’t entirely sure what all of this meant but it was eerily familiar. It made him feel like he was sitting at that circular table debating with the council about whether certain people should live or die and he didn’t particularly want to get into that now. He learned from his time as a council member that he didn’t need to be in that conversation.

“Yeah… uh, maybe let’s get back to pumpkins, guys,” Jayce suggested hesitantly, shooting Viktor a pleading look for help but the man was engrossed in his carving and wasn’t paying attention to him. There was a little smear of pumpkin on his cheekbone.

“Says the guy building and selling weapons of mass destruction to fascist governments and keeping the American war machine pumping,” Jinx said, her voice was jeering.

Viktor glanced up from his carving, and wiped at his face with the back of his wrist depositing a little orange smear on the tip of his nose. Jayce wanted to kiss him until he opened his mouth. “I feel it would be hypocritical for me to agree.”

“V!” Jayce groaned, exasperated.

Viktor blinked at him innocently. “I said I couldn’t agree.”

“What’s it like being a Commie in bed with a capitalist? How does it work?” Jinx quipped.

Viktor cocked his head. “I… do not think about it.”

Ekko nodded solemnly. “I imagine it’s the only way. Hey, Vik, you ever want to come to our meeting—”

“Now you’re trying to recruit Viktor? That party isn’t even real!” Vi interrupted again, throwing her hands up.

Cait, who had been focused on her intricate stencil, finally spoke up. “I think it’s really great what you’re doing in the community, Ekko. You started your own chapter, right? How’s membership?”

Ekko perked up at the question. “It’s steadily growing. It’s been really good. We’re thinking of starting a community garden in the spring. There’s this empty lot near our place. If we can pull the funds, we want to buy it up—make it official.”

Vi looked intrigued despite herself. “Oh… that’s actually kind of cool. Grow veggies and shit?”

“Yeah. Seriously, Vi, even without politics, you should come check it out. It’s just a community, you know. We get together and try to do some good—oh hey, Isha—Isha, let me do that,” Ekko said, distracted as Isha brandished a larger serrated blade to start hacking at the jack-o-lantern smile. He gently covered her hand to start piercing the flesh of the squash.

Viktor leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips. “How beautiful. Perhaps I can drag my… capitalist as well.”

“I’m… not a capitalist,” Jayce said, his brow furrowing. He wasn’t sure what a capitalist was but the way they were saying it sounded derogatory.

Everyone paused their carving to stare at him before wordlessly returning to their pumpkins.

Cait chimed in, “I think building a community within the system is a great way to start change.”

“Maybe you can come slum it with us,” Ekko said playfully, gesturing toward Vi. “Drag your class traitor with you.”

Vi scoffed. “I’m a class traitor now? More like a class… um… recruiter! ’Cuz… you know.”

Jinx raised an eyebrow. “No, Vi, we don’t. Why don’t you explain how you’re a class recruiter?”

Vi shifted uncomfortably. “Cait moved down with me… I didn’t, like… move up?”

Jinx opened her arms and gestured to the apartment.

“This doesn’t count!” Vi protested. “We don’t live here! This isn’t our apartment!”

Ekko smirked. “It’s like by proxy, though. You got a rich girlfriend, and now we’ve got rich friends. We’re in proximity to the 1%.”

Cait scoffed, shaking her head. “Jayce is nowhere near the 1%, and neither is my family, by the way. And just because my family is wealthy doesn’t mean that I am!”

“Sure, Cupcake.” Vi huffed.

Caitlyn looked at her aghast, “Hey! You’re supposed to be on my side! I’m defending you!”

Jayce blinked, visibly lost. He clearly wasn’t following this conversation at all.

“It is all quite extravagant,” Viktor muttered under his breath, his cheek now smeared with even more pumpkin. It was like every time Jayce looked at him there was more pumpkin. The man would be completely orange by the end of the night.

Ekko smirked. “You act like this isn’t your house, man. You live here! You are the bourgeoisie.”

Viktor looked up again, “I am married to the bourgeoisie. It does not make me one.”

“That’s actually how that works, you marry it—you become it.” Ekko said as he assisted Isha pulling the piece they were just working on out of the freshly cut smile.

“Just in bed with one, eh? Eh? Eh?” Jinx waggled her eyebrows suggestively over Ekko’s more rational reply.

“Jinx!” Jayce groaned. “I agree with Vi! No more talk of the bourgeoisie. Let’s… Halloween! Costumes! Viktor and I are clowns. Vi?”

Vi seized the opportunity. “Thank God. Yeah, Cait and I are going to do Frankenstein and his bride.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at Cait.

“I’m trying to make the wig myself,” Cait said with a grin. “I found a tutorial.”

“Looks like I’m going to have to make a wig, guys,” Jinx declared dramatically.

“Hey!” Cait said, half-indignant, half-amused.

Vi gave Jinx a look as if to say, “Yeah, could you?” and Jinx gave her a thumbs up.

Cait shook her head with mock frustration. “A little support would be nice, Vi!”

“Shit, baby, your pumpkin is putting mine to shame,” Vi teased, slinging an arm around Cait’s shoulders and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

Cait glanced at Vi’s pumpkin, raising an eyebrow. “Well, you could have put a little more effort in,” she replied, her tone teasing as she returned to her careful carving.

Vi laughed, leaning closer to her. “I don’t know, Cupcake. I think it’s a pretty good representation of us—rough around the edges but charming as hell.”

Cait shook her head with a fond smile, her cheeks pink from the attention.

By the time the group finished carving, each pumpkin had its own unique charm. Jayce had carved the perfect jack-o-lantern. The classic triangular eyes and sharp grin looked as though it had been plucked straight from a Halloween catalogue. He was pretty proud of it. Cait’s matched his in precision.

Jinx’s was a little rough around the edges, but it was obvious what it was. Ekko’s, on the other hand, was hilariously simple—two circular eyes and a dash for a mouth, its simplicity strangely humorous.

“We watched Over the Garden Wall with Isha last night,” Ekko said casually as he finished setting his pumpkin upright.

Jayce tilted his head, confused. “I don’t know what that means, but okay.”

“Dude! Vikky-vikky-V!” Jinx exclaimed, pointing her carving knife at Viktor. “Have you seen it? If not, we need to watch it next weekend!”

“I do not believe I have,” Viktor said, raising an eyebrow curiously.

“Next time, then,” Jinx declared with finality. “Tonight, though, I wanna do another horror movie!”

Jayce groaned, rubbing his face. “You forced me and Viktor into a horror movie last night.”

“You survived,” Jinx retorted with a grin. “Barely,” Jayce grumbled, earning a chuckle from Viktor.

“We should totally watch Halloween after this!” Jinx announced, waving her carving tool in the air. “The boys got a new projector. It’ll really kick off the Halloween spirit!”

Little Isha bounced in her seat, nodding enthusiastically.

Ekko, keeping a close eye on Isha to make sure she didn’t hurt herself, raised a skeptical brow. “Uh, I’m not so sure Halloween is the movie we should be watching with Isha.”

Both Vi and Jinx turned to him in unison incredulously. “Why not?” they said in perfect sync, their reactions so similar it made Cait laugh.

“Uh—because she’s eight?” Ekko replied, motioning toward Isha, who was still happily poking at her pumpkin with her carving tool.

Finally, Viktor turned his pumpkin around, his sleeves still rolled up, and his sweater speckled with bits of pumpkin pulp. The group stared for a moment, perplexed, until Jayce let out a soft gasp, recognizing it instantly.

“V, that’s…”  It was the wild rune and Jayce was in awe.

The others took a second longer to process it though it was impossible for any of them to know what it was, Jinx leaned in and squinted, then grinned. “Fuck yeah! That looks like some kind of scary atom thing or something!” she exclaimed.

Ekko nodded appreciatively. “That’s seriously cool, Viktor. Can’t wait to see that one lit up.”

As the group admired their work, Jinx sprang up and clapped her hands together. “Alright, movie time! Do you guys have popcorn here, or what?”

Jayce, still a little distracted by Viktor’s creation, blinked. “Uh, I have no idea. Check the pantry,” he said, gesturing vaguely toward it.

Cait clapped her hands together, “I brought candles! We can light them all up while we watch the movie. Vi, help me, would you?”

Vi stood up with a playful groan, stretching dramatically. “Alright, boss.”

“Popcorn, here I come,” Jinx declared, darting over to the pantry with Isha on her heels.

Cait and Vi began gathering the pumpkins, arranging them in a neat row on the island facing the living room. They carefully lit each one, the flickering candlelight bringing their creations to life.

All the pumpkins seemed to make their own shadows on the walls. Unique and eerie in the living room as Ekko started flipping off all the big lights and setting up the projector. Then there was Viktor’s. His rune design came to life in a way none of them expected, its sharp, angular patterns cast strange, fragmented shadows across the walls. The shapes seemed to move with the flicker of the flame.

“Okay, that’s actually creepy,” Vi admitted, stepping back to take it in.

“It’s incredible,” Cait said softly, tilting her head to admire it, “You did a great job, V.”

Jayce shivered involuntarily as the room settled. Nightmare on Elm Street had done a number on him. It gave Jayce flashback nightmares of the wasteland all night but instead of Viktor’s older self tormenting him it had been Freddy Krueger’s razor-sharp fingers. He wasn’t exactly thrilled to dive into another horror movie tonight.

As the others prepared for the movie, Viktor approached Jayce, his steps were cautious without his cane. Jayce reached for him immediately, he could feel his face stretch into a fond smile. Without hesitation, he reached out, pulling Viktor into his arms.

“Hey, precious,” Jayce purred, his voice warm. “I have to say, I was pretty surprised by your pumpkin.”

Viktor tilted his head to look up at him, pretty eyelashes lowered coyly. With his hair tied up in a neat knot—courtesy of Jinx—he looked especially endearing. “I couldn’t think of anything scarier to ward off evil,” he said, his voice carrying just the faintest trace of mischief.

Jayce chuckled, leaning his forehead against Viktor’s. “It worked. Definitely the spookiest one in the bunch.”

Viktor reached up, his fingers scratching gently through the bristles of Jayce’s beard. “Can you handle another horror film? You tossed and turned all night.”

Jayce nuzzled into Viktor’s palm, sighing at the touch. “Did I disturb you?”

“Not really,” Viktor replied, rubbing his thumb over Jayce’s bottom lip. Tempting him to nip at the pad but Jayce restrained himself. There were too many people here to be indulging like that.

Jayce tilted his head. “The movie didn’t bother you?”

Viktor’s lips curled into a small grin. “I liked it. A lot, actually.”

Jayce laughed, a deep, warm sound as he pulled Viktor a little closer, brushing a kiss across his lips. “You’re a menace,” he teased.

“And you,” Viktor added,  “are a big softie.”

Jayce couldn’t help himself; he kissed Viktor again, deeper this time. But before they could get too caught up in each other, he forced himself to pull back, knowing their friends would start heckling them if they noticed.

--------------

The living room was dimly lit, the projector casting flickering shadows of Halloween onto the screen hanging from the ceiling. Viktor sat comfortably in Jayce’s lap on the couch, Jayce’s arms loosely wrapped around his waist. On the other side of the couch, Cait had curled up against Vi, her legs draped over Vi’s lap. On the floor, Ekko, Jinx, and Isha had created a cozy little nest of pillows and throw blankets, looking utterly at home.

The iconic soundtrack filled the room as Michael Myers loomed on screen.

Vi leaned forward, giving Jayce a pointed look. “How have you not seen Halloween? Did you live under a rock or something?”

Jayce shifted awkwardly, glancing down at Viktor before shrugging. “I don’t know. I just never watched it.”

He wondered why their world didn’t seem to have this technology. They had cameras and film, they had projectors but they didn’t make movies.

Cait piped up, patting Vi’s arm. “I never watched horror movies until I met you, Vi. Not everyone’s into them.”

Jinx smirked from her spot on the floor, leaning back against Ekko. “Yeah, you and Vik get a pass ‘cause you’re foreign. But Wonder Boy over here? He’s just lame.”

Viktor tilted his head toward Jinx, playing mock-offended. “Wonder Boy is not lame.”

Jayce chuckled, recovering quickly. “I just don’t like this scary stuff!”

He had to admit that this film wasn’t bothering him to the same extent that the one last night had. A murderous dream stalker was a lot more unsettling to him than just some big guy.

Ekko grinned, nudging Jinx. “Wow, what a pussy.”

Jayce frowned dramatically. “I let all of you come over here, mess up my apartment with pumpkin guts, and now you’re all ganging up on me?”

Jinx grinned, unrepentant. “It’s half the fun of coming over here.”

As the movie progressed, Isha clambered onto the couch, wriggling into Viktor’s lap and earning an amused smile. She was such a strange little girl. Viktor adjusted slightly to accommodate her before returning his attention to the screen. His brows furrowed as Michael Myers launched yet another attack on the girl who had been vigorously sleeping with her boyfriend a couple scenes ago. “So, he is insane, and that somehow makes him…” he searched for the word, “invincible?”

“Of course!” Jinx replied immediately, as if it were obvious.

Jayce squinted at the screen. “Why babysitters?”

Ekko turned his head slightly, answering, “Because of his sister.”

Jayce looked even more confused. “He’s murdering all these random babysitters because… he murdered his sister?”

Jinx groaned. “Don’t try to logic it, Wonder Boy. He’s a slasher. Slashers kill sexually active teenage girls put in positions of care over children. It’s just what they do.”

“Freddy Krueger didn’t seem that specific,” Viktor pointed out.

Vi joined in, casually tossing a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “That’s because Freddy was a pedophile going after the kids he used to molest. Similar but different.”

Jayce blinked. “I don’t see how that’s similar.”

Vi turned her head to him with a smirk. “I don’t see how your opinion means anything.”

“Rude,” Jayce muttered, earning a soft laugh from Viktor, who leaned back against him.

Cait finally sat up, glaring at the group. “Will you two shut it? I’m trying to watch!”

--------------

Cait and Vi had already left with their pumpkins and Jayce stood by the door, watching Ekko carefully navigate the hallway with a half-asleep Isha in his arms. Her tiny head rested on his shoulder. Jinx was struggling trying to balance their three pumpkins in her arms.

“Here, let me grab those,” Jayce offered, taking the two larger pumpkins from her arms and following the group down to the car. The vehicle was in a similar state to Vi’s—a battered but beloved heap of metal that looked like it might fall apart at any moment. Ekko gently tucked Isha into her seat and shot Jayce a grateful smile as he and Jinx loaded the pumpkins into the trunk.

“Thanks, man,” Ekko said, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yeah, thanks wonder boy,” Jinx said around a yawn as she got into the passenger seat.

“Anytime,” Jayce replied with a grin. He stepped back and waved as the car sputtered to life and pulled out of the parking lot.

When Jayce returned to the apartment Viktor was in the living room, perched on a barstool with his vapor steamer as it began to hiss and spill out a steady, even flow of steam. He had changed out of his pumpkin-streaked sweater and jeans into one of Jayce’s oversized shirts, which hung loosely on his slender frame. It didn’t look like he was wearing anything else.

His hair was out of the neat bun but pushed back with a simple black hairband, a new look that caught Jayce off guard. He paused for a moment, leaning against the doorway, just watching Viktor as he breathed deeply. There was something mesmerizing about him—the focused furrow of his brow, the faint glint of the steam reflecting off his cheekbones. Jayce couldn’t help but admire him.

“You want some tea?” Jayce asked finally, breaking the silence.

Viktor glanced up, his lips curving into a small smile. “Hmm,” he hummed in agreement, his attention returning to the steamer as it let out another hiss.

Jayce made his way to the kitchen, flipping on the kettle as he surveyed the unholy mess left behind. Pumpkin guts and seeds were smeared across the counter, carving tools abandoned in sticky puddles of orange slime. He sighed, grabbing a sponge and starting to clean as the kettle warmed in the background.

Every so often, Jayce’s eyes drifted back to Viktor. Steam curled around him like a soft veil, and the oversized shirt slipped slightly off one shoulder, completely at ease. There were four little beauty marks visible on that shoulder alone.

The vapor had a medicinal scent that was sharp yet oddly soothing. There was something strangely metallic about it but Jayce couldn’t put a name to the scent. Jayce knew he probably shouldn’t be inhaling it, but it wasn’t like he could avoid it entirely. It kind of filled the room.

“How are you feeling, Precious?” Jayce asked, his voice soft as he approached Viktor from behind with a steaming mug of tea.

Viktor kept his eyes closed, his body sinking back into Jayce’s body as he took a slow, intentional breath. “I was feeling quite nauseous,” he murmured, “but it is better now. There is just an ache… everywhere.”

Jayce set the tea down carefully on the counter beside Viktor and he rested his hands gently on Viktor’s shoulders, his thumbs pressing softly into the tense muscles there. “Anything I can do to ease the ache?” he asked, his voice warm and inviting.

Viktor tilted his head to one side, exposing the pale line of his neck and shoulder. “I can think of a few things I might like,” he said, his tone carrying a teasing lilt.

Jayce leaned down, brushing his lips against Viktor’s neck as his hands worked their way along the curve of his shoulders. “Oh yeah?” he murmured, the words a low rumble against Viktor’s skin. “Like what?”

Viktor’s lips quirked into a faint smile as he turned his head slightly, giving Jayce better access. “Do you want to play a little bit?” he asked, his voice soft and inviting, the steam curling around them like a veil.

Jayce pressed himself firmly against Viktor’s back, his hands settling on Viktor’s waist as he nuzzled into his neck. “I want to play a lot a bit,” he murmured, his voice deep and teasing.

Viktor chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against Jayce’s chest. He leaned back into Jayce’s warmth, tilting his head to give him more access as Jayce’s fingers wandered to the hem of his oversized shirt, playing with the fabric.

“Maybe with one of the toys or two in your drawer?” Viktor suggested.

Jayce groaned low in his throat, his grip tightening slightly. “I fucking loved playing with those balls,” he admitted, his voice husky. “I think about it all the time. The sounds you made… fuck.”

He couldn’t keep his hands safe any longer. One slid down to cup Viktor through the cloth of his underwear, drawing a quiet gasp from Viktor as Jayce’s mouth trailed heated kisses along his neck.

Viktor tilted his head toward Jayce’s, his lips brushing against his ear. “I was thinking… one of the vibrators.”

Jayce let out a shaky breath, his hand gently rubbing Viktor’s growing arousal. “Whatever you want, Precious,” he whispered, his voice a promise as he pressed a kiss to Viktor’s jawline.

Viktor spread his legs wider, giving Jayce the space to touch him freely. The invitation sent a sharp jolt of arousal through Jayce, his own hardness growing instantly as he slipped his fingers into the opening at the front of Viktor’s underwear. He pulled Viktor’s cock out through the gap, the action drawing a gasp from Viktor, his jaw dropping as he sucked in a deep breath of the swirling vapor around them.

“Can I get you off like this first?” Jayce murmured, his voice low and rough against Viktor’s ear. “Will you be able to go again?”

Viktor let out a quiet, breathy laugh, his head falling back against Jayce’s shoulder. “Mmm… even if I can’t, you can still fuck me,” he replied, his voice was sultry, his accent thick and curling over the words.

Jayce groaned deeply, pressing his lips against Viktor’s neck as he wrapped his hand firmly around him. He began stroking with a steady, strong hand. His movements unhurried but precise. “Breathe your medicine,” Jayce murmured, his lips brushing against Viktor’s skin with each word.

Viktor chuckled softly, his body relaxing further into Jayce’s hold. They shifted slightly, Jayce adjusting Viktor’s position to make sure he wasn’t wasting any of the vapor from the steamer.

Jayce struggled to keep his own hips still, his body instinctively wanting to move in rhythm with his hand. Viktor made it harder to focus—his unabashed moans, his open mouth gasping for lungfuls of vapor, and the way his legs spread impossibly wide on the bar stool left Jayce breathless.

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful like this,” Jayce murmured, his free hand sliding up under the oversized shirt to rest on Viktor’s chest, feeling the rapid thrum of his heartbeat beneath his palm.

Viktor let out another moan, his hand gripping Jayce’s thigh for balance as he leaned back into him, completely lost in the sensations Jayce was eliciting from his body. He tensed under Jayce’s touch, his breaths coming in sharp, uneven gasps as he reached his peak. Jayce held him through it, his hand working Viktor steadily, tenderly, as he rode out the waves of pleasure. A final shudder ran through Viktor, and then he went limp, melting back against Jayce’s chest.

Jayce let out a soft chuckle as he gently tucked Viktor back into his underwear, his fingers lingering briefly before pulling the oversized shirt back down to cover him. He pressed kisses all over the side of Viktor’s face, murmuring quiet, affectionate words as the steamer began to make its familiar clicking sound, signaling that the water in the reservoir was almost gone.

Viktor let out a satisfied hum, tilting his head slightly to the side as Jayce’s lips trailed along his cheek. “I feel we are discovering all of your new kinks,” Viktor remarked, his voice laced with amusement.

“Oh, yeah?” Jayce asked, his voice warm and teasing. “What kink is this? Me not being able to keep my hands off you?”

Viktor smirked faintly, his golden eyes glinting as he replied, “You can’t seem to keep your hands off me when I’m trying to breathe my steam. Always coming up behind me to kiss my neck.”

Jayce grinned, letting his lips brush Viktor’s neck as he asked, “Is this a complaint?”

Viktor tilted his head, giving Jayce better access as a soft chuckle escaped him. “No complaints, just… confusion.”

Jayce pressed another kiss just below Viktor’s ear and murmured, “I think my kink is just you existing and doing things.”

Viktor laughed, the sound rich and genuine, as he turned in his chair to face Jayce, abandoning the last of the vapor. His golden eyes softened as they met Jayce’s, warmth and love radiating from him.

“For a moment yesterday,” Viktor began quietly, his voice dipping into something more vulnerable, “I feared that… I feared that you would see me differently. But you never let me fester in those fears, do you?”

Jayce reached up, cupping Viktor’s face gently in his hands. “Never,” he said softly, his thumb brushing across Viktor’s cheek. “You’re everything to me. Nothing could ever change that.” Jayce pressed his lips to the tip of Viktor’s nose, his eyes warm with unwavering affection. “I would never look at you differently, Viktor.”

Viktor’s lips parted slightly, and he let out a quiet sigh. “It would be easy for you to,” he began, his voice soft, “but even last night, you did not give me a moment to—”

Jayce didn’t let him finish. He leaned forward and kissed Viktor’s mouth cutting him off mid-sentence. When he pulled back, he spoke with quiet conviction. “You are the strongest person I know, and that’s all I saw yesterday. Another layer of strength that I can barely understand.”

Viktor shook his head lightly, his golden eyes glimmering with emotion. “Just let me tell you how good you are, damn it,” he said, his voice gentle, almost teasing despite the weight of his words.

Jayce chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair back from Viktor’s forehead. “I didn’t do anything.”

Viktor turned fully in the bar stool, his legs spreading to pull Jayce between them. His arms wrapped around Jayce’s shoulders, holding him close. The steamer clicked one final time, signaling it was finished, but neither of them paid it any mind. Viktor’s voice was quiet but firm as he murmured, “You did everything. You are everything.”

The weight of Viktor’s words settled over Jayce like a warm embrace, and he leaned in, capturing Viktor’s lips in a hot, messy kiss. Their breaths mingled, and the space between them vanished as Jayce poured everything he couldn’t say into the kiss.

When he finally pulled back, just slightly, his lips brushed Viktor’s as he asked, “Do you still want to play?”

Viktor’s lips curled into a sly smile, his hands sliding down to rest on Jayce’s chest. “Yes.”

-------------

As they moved toward the bedroom, Viktor glanced back at Jayce, his lips quirking into a playful smirk. “Maybe let’s put a towel down.”

Jayce let out a soft laugh, running a hand through his hair as he turned toward the bathroom. “Good idea,” he muttered, stepping away to grab a towel. His mind raced as he moved, his body already throbbing with need. He wasn’t sure how much “playing” they were going to manage before he completely gave in to the desire coursing through him.

By the time he returned to the bedroom, towel in hand, the sight that greeted him made his heart skip a beat. Viktor was sitting cross-legged in the center of the bed. In front of him, neatly arranged on the blanket, were three of the toys. His golden eyes glinted mischievously as he looked up at Jayce, his lips curving into a small, knowing smile.

Jayce swallowed hard, his breath catching as he stood frozen in the doorway for a moment. “You’re trying to kill me,” he finally managed, his voice low and strained.

Viktor’s smile widened slightly. “Hardly. I am merely providing options.”

Jayce stepped into the room and spread the towel out on the bed, smoothing the edges as Viktor watched him with an amused glint in his golden eyes. As Jayce straightened up, he began unbuttoning his shirt, but Viktor’s voice stopped him mid-motion.

“I feel like you should put on some music and make that a show,” Viktor said, arching and eyebrow and making a suggestive face.

Jayce couldn’t help but feel a little bashful as he let his fingers linger on the next button. “Oh yeah? You want a strip tease?”

“Yes, I do,” Viktor replied without hesitation, leaning back on his arms as if to settle in for the show.

Jayce laughed softly, shaking his head as he turned and walked out toward the living room. He moved to their record player, flipping through their collection until he landed on an album they’d recently discovered together: MGMT. A playful smile spread across his face as he selected the track Electric Feel and carefully placed the needle.

The opening beats filled the apartment, and Jayce couldn’t help but sway to the rhythm as he made his way back to the bedroom. He stopped just outside the doorway, sliding into the frame with his back to Viktor, his hips pumping in time with the music. Slowly, he reached up to unbutton his shirt, letting the fabric slide tantalizingly down one shoulder and then the other.

When he glanced over his shoulder, Viktor was grinning from ear to ear, clearly trying to suppress laughter. His attempt failed as Jayce spun around dramatically and tossed his shirt in Viktor’s direction. It landed short of the bed, but Jayce didn’t care. Instead, he placed his forearms on either side of the doorframe, grinding his hips to the beat as he danced with playful abandon.

Viktor laughed out loud, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair. “You’re absurd,” he managed between chuckles, his voice warm with affection.

Jayce winked, his movements fluid but still a little awkward “You love it.”

Viktor’s smile softened, his eyes glinting as he sat up to meet him. “Yes,” he admitted, his voice quieter but no less certain. “I do.”

Jayce let his arms drop from the doorframe, his hands moving to the button of his jeans as he took slow, unhurried steps toward the bed, still dancing in time with the music. He worked the button free and slid the zipper down, shimmying his hips exaggeratedly as he moved.

Viktor’s grin widened, his golden eyes bright with amusement. “I feel like I should be tipping you.”

Jayce chuckled, shoving his jeans down in one smooth motion—well, mostly smooth. His foot caught briefly on the fabric, causing him to stumble slightly, and Viktor’s laugh rang out again.

“Very elegant!” Viktor quipped, his voice full of playful sarcasm.

Jayce simply grinned, undeterred, and reached the side of the bed. Without missing a beat, he grabbed Viktor’s legs, tugging him gently so he slid to the edge of the bed. Viktor’s laughter spilled over as Jayce launched into what could only be described as the most awkwardly danced lap dance imaginable. His movements were over-the-top and ridiculous, hips gyrating in an exaggerated manner as he hovered over Viktor.

Viktor was laughing so hard that he had to prop himself up with one hand on the bed, his other hand clutching his stomach. “Very sexy,” he managed between gasps of laughter, his face alight with joy.

Jayce didn’t stop, his own grin growing wider as he leaned in closer, adding an exaggerated wiggle to his hips. “What? You’re not into this? I thought this was your fantasy,” he teased.

Viktor shook his head, his smile unrelenting. “Oh, it is, just perhaps not… exactly like this.”

Still dancing, Jayce hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his boxer briefs, slowly sliding them down as he turned around. He pumped his hips from side to side, the music guiding his every ridiculous move. Then, with a deliberate bend at the waist, he pulled the briefs down fully, stepping out of them and kicking them off to the side.

He turned back to Viktor, fully hard and unabashed, his grin equal parts confident and mischievous. “Better?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.

Viktor tilted his head, his gaze roaming over Jayce appreciatively. His smile softened slightly, the teasing giving way to something warmer. “Much better,” he murmured.

Viktor placed his hands on Jayce’s hips, and leaned forward with a broad smile. He pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Jayce’s stomach, his laughter from moments before settling into something softer but no less joyful.

“How was that?” Jayce asked, he was a little breathless from giving that dance his all, “Was that what you wanted?”

Viktor tilted his head, his smile unwavering as he looked up at Jayce. “That was the best thing I have ever seen.”

Jayce let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head as he gently guided Viktor to lie back on the bed. “Your turn,” he murmured, his voice full of promise. Kneeling on the mattress, he pressed his lips to Viktor’s knee and began trailing kisses slowly up his thigh.

Viktor’s breathing hitched slightly as Jayce worked his way higher, his mouth brushing over sensitive skin with featherlight touches. When Jayce reached Viktor’s hips, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of Viktor’s underwear, tugging them down and off. Viktor lifted his hips slightly to help.

“Are you going to request I leave your shirt on?” Viktor asked, a teasing note in his voice.

Jayce didn’t answer immediately, his mouth already busy kissing a path up Viktor’s belly under the oversized shirt. He let out a low hum, his voice muffled by the fabric. “Mmm… I think I want you completely naked for this,” he finally said.

Viktor laughed softly, reaching down to grip the hem of the shirt. With a playful tug, he pulled the fabric up over Jayce’s head, revealing his face as he grinned up at Viktor. Without hesitation, Viktor continued pulling it off entirely, tossing it carelessly to the side.

Jayce kissed his chest one final time and leaned back, “Show me what you’ve got.”

 “Oh,” he murmured, his voice smooth and teasing, “I intend to.”

Viktor scooted back on the bed, and Jayce followed, both settling into a comfortable seated position as Viktor reached for the three toys arranged in front of them. He picked up the first one, a black device shaped like a lopsided "u," with one end bulbous and the other curved outward. Viktor held it up for Jayce to see. “This is a prostate stimulator,” he explained, his voice calm and matter of fact.

Jayce nodded, his eyes focused on the toy. “Okay,” he said simply.

Next, Viktor held up another toy—a small, cylindrical device with a vaguely phallic shape. “This is a vibrator,” he said, his tone as casual as if he were giving a lecture.

Jayce nodded again, murmuring, “Alright.”

Finally, Viktor picked up the last toy, a small, tear-drop-shaped device with a flared base. “And this,” Viktor said, holding it up with a slight smile, “is a plug.”

Jayce raised an eyebrow. “Okay.”

Viktor’s smile widened slightly as he turned the plug over in his hand. “The plug is for you, if you want it.”

Jayce blinked, tilting his head. “What does it do?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

“It just goes inside you,” Viktor explained with a quiet chuckle. “It can stay there the whole time.”

Jayce considered this for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. Then, with a decisive nod, he said, “Yeah, okay, let’s do it.”

He flopped down onto his stomach on the bed, stretching out over the towel he’d laid earlier. Adjusting his position, he spread his legs slightly and arched his back just enough to present himself to Viktor.

“Eager, aren’t we?” Viktor laughed, shaking his head as he reached for the lube on the nightstand.

“You can see how hard I am, mi amor, don’t play,” Jayce tossed out over his shoulder.

Viktor froze for a brief moment, his hand hovering over the bottle. His golden eyes flicked to Jayce, not understanding the endearment. “What did you say?” he asked softly, his voice almost hesitant.

Jayce turned his head, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. “What?”

Viktor didn’t press further. Shaking his head with a small smile, he picked up the lube and opened it, squeezing a generous amount into his palm. “Nothing,” he said, brushing it off.

Viktor warmed the lube between his fingers, rubbing his hands together until it was slick and comfortable to the touch. Kneeling between Jayce’s slightly parted legs, he took a moment to admire the view in front of him. Jayce’s body was stunning, his muscular back tapering down to his firm ass, every curve and contour on full display.

Viktor pressed his first finger inside Jayce’s body, feeling him tense briefly before relaxing into the touch. Leaning over, Viktor placed a kiss along the deep groove of Jayce’s spine, his lips lingering for a moment.

“Have I told you how handsome you are today?” Viktor murmured, his voice low and velvety.

Jayce let out a small laugh, muffled by the bed. “No, actually, you haven’t.”

Viktor tsked softly, pressing another kiss along Jayce’s spine. “That is wrong of me,” he said, his voice playful. “Because you are so very”—he kissed just below Jayce’s shoulder blade—“very, handsome.”

Jayce groaned as Viktor began to pump his finger gently, his body responding eagerly. “Ugh,” Jayce muttered, his voice tinged with pleasure. “Sort of forgot how good this feels.”

Viktor chuckled softly, his tone teasing as he worked a second finger inside, stretching Jayce with deliberate care. “Hmm… it’s a tragedy,” he said, his lips brushing against Jayce’s skin. “Maybe we just play with you tonight.”

Jayce let out a breathy laugh, turning his head slightly toward Viktor. “Hmm… I like the plan we have,” he said, his voice low and a little strained with arousal. “Next time, you can play with me all you want. I wanna see what the vibrator does to you.”

Viktor smiled, leaning down to press another kiss on Jayce’s shoulder blade.

Viktor curled his fingers downward, brushing over Jayce’s most sensitive spot. Jayce groaned into the pillow, his hips jerking involuntarily at the sensation. Viktor smirked, leaning down to kiss Jayce’s back again, his lips soft against the warm skin.

He stimulated Jayce’s spot for a couple more minutes before Viktor pulled back slowly withdrawing his fingers as Jayce let out a small, frustrated sound. Viktor chuckled softly and reached for the plug he chose, coating it liberally with lube. It was a smaller one. There had been two in the drawer. He knew the larger one might be a little too much for Jayce right now—not if he wanted Jayce to remain coherent, anyway.

“Alright,” Viktor murmured as he positioned the plug at Jayce’s entrance. With gentle pressure, he began to work it in, carefully watching Jayce’s reactions. Jayce groaned, his breath hitching as he adjusted to the sensation.

“Ok,” Jayce muttered, his voice muffled by the pillow. “Yeah. Ok.”

Viktor pressed the plug in until only the flared base remained outside, ensuring it was secure. Leaning back slightly, he tilted his head and asked, “How does that feel?”

Jayce moaned in response, shifting slightly as he pushed himself up onto his elbows. His face twisted into a mixture of arousal and discomfort, making Viktor laugh softly.

“I… yeah,” Jayce said, his voice strained but playful. “Mmmm, yeah, this is going to distract me the whole time.”

Viktor smiled, leaning back on one arm, his legs tucked to the side as he watched Jayce. Jayce caught the look and grinned back, his arousal reigniting as he reached for Viktor, pulling him close.

“Your turn, precious,” Jayce murmured, his voice thick with desire as he kissed Viktor deeply. He maneuvered Viktor down onto the towel, guiding him to lie on his stomach.

“You need a pillow, V?” Jayce asked, his hands were already moving to help Viktor get comfortable.

Viktor shifted slightly, resting his head on his folded arms. “Mmmm, yes,” he replied, soft and indulgent.

Jayce reached for one of the pillows and slipped it beneath Viktor’s hips, adjusting it until Viktor let out a contented sigh. “Perfect,” Viktor murmured as he settled into the position.

Jayce knelt beside Viktor, his hands lightly grazing over the curve of Viktor’s back as he took a steadying breath. “Okay,” he murmured, his voice low and a little uncertain. “What should I start with?”

Viktor turned his head slightly, “Whichever one you want.”

Jayce glanced at the toys still arranged near them and reached for the smaller one—the straight, cylindrical vibrator. He held it carefully, turning it over in his hands as if examining its simplicity. His thumb brushed against the bottom, and with a small twist, the toy came to life, buzzing loudly in the quiet room.

“Oh—okay,” Jayce said, startled, his eyes widening slightly at the unexpected volume. He laughed nervously, glancing toward Viktor, who let out a quiet chuckle.

Viktor’s shoulders shook slightly with mirth as he looked back at Jayce. “You seem surprised,” he teased, his voice tinged with amusement.

Jayce grinned sheepishly, still holding the buzzing vibrator as he adjusted to its intensity. “I didn’t expect it to be that loud,” he admitted, his cheeks flushing slightly as he grew more comfortable with the situation.

Jayce twisted the bottom of the vibrator, silencing the buzzing, and set it back down with a steadying breath. His hands reached for the lube, squeezing a generous amount onto his fingers as he moved to position himself between Viktor’s legs. Gently, he adjusted Viktor’s position, spreading his legs wider and angling him just right.

For a moment, Jayce paused, simply taking in the sight before him. Viktor looked breathtaking like this—his body relaxed, his pale skin glowing in the dim light. It was a vision Jayce knew he’d never get over, a strange and perfect intimacy.

Jayce placed one hand on Viktor’s hip, using his thumb to part Viktor’s cheeks, giving himself a full, unobstructed view. The sight made his breath hitch, and his cock twitched in response, making him clench the plug inside him just enough to send a sharp jolt of pleasure through his body.

“Fuck,” Jayce murmured under his breath, biting his lip as he tried to steady himself. His hand moved deliberately, pressing two fingers inside Viktor at once. Viktor gasped softly at the intrusion, his body instinctively clenching around Jayce’s fingers.

Jayce’s eyes were fixed on the way his fingers disappeared into Viktor, his belly tightening with a mix of arousal and awe. He shifted slightly, his own body trembling with need as he tried to keep his focus. The way Viktor responded—the way his body opened for him, the soft sounds escaping his lips—was enough to make Jayce lose himself.

“This,” Jayce muttered, his voice rough with need, “is going to be hard to take slowly.”

Jayce couldn’t help himself; his fingers found Viktor’s spot almost immediately. Viktor’s gasp seemed punched out of him, and Jayce felt a rush of pride and arousal at the sound. Viktor was hard again, his cock throbbing against the pillow beneath him. Jayce adjusted him slightly, ensuring Viktor couldn’t grind against the fabric.

“Ah, Jayce,” Viktor moaned, his voice breaking on the syllables as he pushed his hips back against Jayce’s relentless rhythm. His body shuddered when Jayce slipped in a third finger, stretching him further.

Leaning over Viktor, Jayce pressed soft, reverent kisses to every little mole and beauty mark he could reach—the one on Viktor’s right cheek, the small one near the small of his back, and the faint pair on either side of his spine. Each kiss was thoughtful, leisurely, as though Jayce was committing their locations to memory.

When his lips reached the base of Viktor’s spine, he let his tongue trail down, tasting the faint salt of his skin before dipping lower. He spread Viktor’s cheeks further, his tongue darting between them to join his fingers. Jayce’s tongue pressed inside, licking and tasting even as he didn’t love the flavor of the lube. It wasn’t pleasant, but it didn’t matter. He couldn’t resist the pull of Viktor, couldn’t keep himself from wanting to put his mouth on him.

Viktor’s moans deepened, his breath coming in quick, uneven bursts. “Would you—” Viktor gasped, his voice catching as Jayce hit his spot again. “Would you like me to try this for you? Would you like me to do this to you too, Jayce?”

Jayce lifted his head slightly, his lips glistening, his voice husky and low as he murmured, “Next time, precious.”

Before Viktor could reply, Jayce dove back in, his tongue and fingers working together to draw more gasps and shivers from Viktor’s body. “Lots of plans for next time,” Viktor managed, his voice trembling with both pleasure and anticipation.

Jayce smiled against Viktor’s skin, his hands steady even as his heart pounded in his chest. After a few more deliberate thrusts of his tongue, Jayce pulled back, his lips lingering against Viktor’s skin as his fingers pressed against Viktor’s spot a little more. Viktor shuddered beneath him, his breath hitching, and Jayce finally let his fingers slip out, drawing a soft whimper of protest.

“I’m going to start with the little one,” Jayce murmured, his voice rough with arousal as he reached for the smaller vibrator.

Viktor squirmed slightly at the announcement, his hips shifting as Jayce coated the toy liberally with lube. Jayce had planned to wait to turn it on until after it was inside, but he noticed something as he positioned the toy—Viktor seemed especially sensitive when Jayce pressed against the soft skin of his perineum.

Grinning to himself, Jayce pressed the tip of the toy just above Viktor’s hanging balls, applying gentle pressure. Viktor gasped sharply, his body reacting before Jayce had even twisted the bottom. With a flick of his wrist, Jayce turned it on to the lowest setting, the buzz filling the air as Viktor jerked, a loud groan escaping his lips. His toes curled, his body writhing as Jayce pressed harder, dragging the vibrator upward toward his entrance before teasingly moving it back down to press against the sensitive spot again.

“Ah—ah—ahhhh, yes,” Viktor moaned, his hips circling instinctively, his body seeking more. His hole twitched visibly, as if begging to be filled.

“You like it, precious?” Jayce asked, his voice low and teasing as he twisted the bottom of the vibrator again, increasing the intensity slightly.

Viktor whimpered, his voice breaking as his thighs quivered. “Put it in me, Jayce. Please.” Then, in a breathy, desperate tone, he repeated, “Prosím—prosím,” the word in Czech sounding even sweeter to Jayce’s ears. It was like a game he played, how long until he got Viktor delirious enough that he started speaking his counterpart’s foreign tongue.

Jayce smirked, leaning down to kiss Viktor’s lower back. “Well, when you ask so nicely.”

He twisted the toy off briefly, positioning it carefully before easing it inside. Viktor moaned low and deep as Jayce worked it in, taking his time to ensure he was comfortable. Once it was fully seated, Jayce pumped it in and out a couple of times, watching Viktor’s body tremble in response. Then, with a twist, he turned it back on to the lowest setting.

“Ugghhh—ah!” Viktor cried out, his body tensing as his thighs quaked. His head dropped against his folded arms, his entire body shivering.

“That good, V?” Jayce asked, his hands steady on Viktor’s hips.

Viktor couldn’t reply with words. Instead, he let out a deep, guttural groan, his hips pressing back in silent demand for more.

Jayce grinned, his own arousal surging as he leaned over Viktor, his hands brushing over his trembling thighs. “You’re perfect like this,” he murmured, his voice thick with reverence.

Jayce began moving the toy in and out, his free hand spread Viktor open again so he could see everything. The sight was mesmerizing—the way Viktor’s hole clenched around the toy, the way the soft flesh seemed to cling to it each time Jayce pulled back before pressing it in again. His own arousal was becoming unbearable as he watched, his cock twitching with every movement.

He tried to angle the toy, his focus narrowing as he attempted to find Viktor’s spot. “V, precious, am I touching your spot?” he asked, his voice low and breathless.

Viktor’s moans were unrestrained, filling the room with a symphony of pleasure, but he shook his head, his hips shifting as he tried to adjust. Lifting himself slightly onto his knees, Viktor sighed in frustration. “No,” he murmured, his tone edged with desperation. “Put it in deeper.”

Jayce pushed the toy in further, seating it to the base until the only part left outside was the twistable control. The position made it harder to maneuver, and as Jayce adjusted his grip, he accidentally twisted the base too far, too fast, switching it to its highest setting.

Viktor jerked violently, a loud, broken whine escaping his lips. “Ah—ah—ahhhhh, oh—ah! Jayce, Jayce, Jayce!” His thighs trembled uncontrollably, his body shuddering with the sudden intensity.

Jayce bit his lip, his hand steadying Viktor’s shaking hips. “Is it deep enough?” he asked, his voice tight with both concern and desire. “I can’t put it any deeper.”

Viktor let out a choked groan, his head falling forward. “No, but—ugh, it’s—ugh,” he gasped, struggling to form words. “Move it. Fuck me with it.”

Jayce pinched the base of the toy to maneuver it, pulling it out slightly before pressing it back in, trying to match Viktor’s needs. The way Viktor’s body responded made Jayce’s pulse race, but his eyes caught on the other toy still sitting next to his leg—the curved prostate stimulator.

Jayce slowly pulled the toy out, watching the way Viktor’s body reacted as it slipped free. He twisted it off, the buzzing silencing as he set it aside. Gently, he ran his hand over Viktor’s trembling thigh. “You okay, precious?” he asked softly. “You wanna keep going?”

Viktor groaned, his voice hoarse and laced with need. “Yes, keep going.”

Jayce nodded, leaning over to place the used toy on the nightstand before grabbing the larger black device. He turned it over in his hands, examining the design and noting the small buttons instead of a twist mechanism. Viktor’s shifting caught his attention.

Viktor moved, his body rolling onto his back as Jayce reached to help him. Together, they adjusted until Viktor was lying comfortably, his hair fanned out on the pillows like a halo. His back arched slightly from the support of the pillow beneath him, and his cock lay hard and flushed against his stomach, the tip glistening with precome.

Jayce paused, his gaze fixed on Viktor’s body for a moment before giving in to the temptation. Leaning down, he took the head of Viktor’s cock into his mouth, his tongue swirling briefly before sucking gently. Viktor’s head fell back, a deep, guttural moan spilling from his lips as his hands gripped the sheets.

Jayce pulled back, letting Viktor’s cock fall back against his belly with a quiet smack. He grinned as he repositioned himself, kneeling between Viktor’s spread legs.

“You’re very hard,” Viktor observed, eyes glinting with mischief. He shifted slightly, lifting one of his feet and pressing it firmly against Jayce’s erection between his legs. “You’re being very patient.”

Jayce groaned, his body tensing as his cock throbbed under Viktor’s touch. The movement made the plug inside him shift, sending a shiver of pleasure through him. He grabbed Viktor’s ankle, holding it steady as he pressed Viktor’s foot harder against himself. “Fuck, V,” he muttered, his voice strained. “I won’t be patient for long if you do that, and I want to use this.” He lifted the toy in his hand to emphasize his point.

Viktor laughed, a soft, breathy sound that only made Jayce’s restraint more difficult. “Okay, I won’t tease you,” Viktor said, pulling his foot back, though his grin was unabashed. “Even if you’re teasing me.”

Jayce huffed a laugh, shaking his head as he squeezed lube onto the bulbous end of the toy, spreading it evenly before positioning it at Viktor’s entrance. The new angle didn’t give him the same full view of Viktor’s hole as before, but it gave him something better—a clear view of Viktor’s face. He could see every flutter of his lashes, every gasp, every flicker of pleasure that crossed his features. It was a trade Jayce could never complain about.

He pressed the toy in slowly, careful as the larger toy stretched Viktor. Viktor’s hips gave a little twitch as they passed the widest part, the tapered shaft allowing the toy to slide the rest of the way in. Viktor’s hole practically sucked it in, clenching around the base as if holding it in place.

“Fuck, V, you’re so hot,” Jayce murmured, his voice full of awe.

Viktor gasped, his breath coming in short bursts as he widened his legs further, lifting one knee to give Jayce better access. His hips gave small, involuntary jerks, and his cock twitched on his belly, the tip glistening.

“Is it on your spot?” Jayce asked, his tone both eager and reverent.

“Yes,” Viktor gasped, his head falling back against the pillow. His voice was shaky but certain.

That was all the encouragement Jayce needed. He pressed one of the buttons on the base, activating the toy. The buzz was lower in pitch than the previous one, but it was immediately clear that even the lowest setting was more intense. Viktor’s entire body jerked, his head snapping back as his jaw dropped open on a silent moan. His legs moved restlessly, his thighs trembling as his body tried to adjust to the new sensation.

Jayce’s eyes were drawn to Viktor’s cock, which twitched violently against his belly, releasing a small stream of precum that trickled down his skin. Jayce couldn’t tear his gaze away, completely fascinated by the way Viktor’s body responded.

“God, you’re beautiful,” Jayce whispered, his voice thick with admiration and desire.

Jayce gripped the base of the toy firmly, beginning to move it in short, pulsing strokes. He didn’t pull it out far, just enough to create friction while the vibrations worked relentlessly against Viktor’s spot. The effect was immediate. Viktor’s moans escalated, his voice breaking as he gasped, “Oh, Jayce, fuck me—fuck me—šukej mě—šukej mě—ah!”

Hearing Viktor beg in both English and Czech sent a surge of heat through Jayce, his cock throbbing painfully as he tried to hold back. He was so hard it felt like steel, the ache nearly unbearable. His body screamed for relief, and he found himself nearly overwhelmed by the urge to press himself inside Viktor alongside the toy, just to feel him, to be closer.

Instead, he pressed one of the arrow buttons on the toy, his thumb slipping slightly in his eagerness. The vibration jumped two levels at once, the sound deepening as the intensity increased. Viktor’s body responded instantly, tensing like a bowstring. His back arched sharply, his chest heaving as he whimpered and wailed, his cock jerking against his belly as fresh precum leaked from the tip.

“Fuck,” Jayce whispered under his breath, unable to look away. The sight of Viktor unraveling beneath him was too much. He leaned forward, his need overtaking his restraint, and took Viktor’s cock into his mouth. The salty tang of precum hit his tongue as he sucked, his mouth working in tandem with the toy’s relentless rhythm.

Viktor cried out, his voice cracking under the strain. “Jayce! I will cum—I will cum—stop—stop—stop!”

Jayce pulled back immediately, his lips releasing Viktor’s cock with a wet pop. His hand stilled on the toy, his breath ragged as he steadied himself. “Sorry, precious,” he murmured, his voice thick with arousal and apology. “You’re just so fucking beautiful.”

Viktor gasped for breath, his body trembling as he tried to regain control. “No need to be sorry,” he managed, his voice shaky but full of warmth. “Just… not yet.”

Jayce licked his lips as he continued pushing and pulling the toy with faster, more firm strokes. He wanted to make Viktor cum so badly, but his own need burned hotter with every passing second. He wanted to be inside him, to feel Viktor’s body clenching around him.

“Please,” Viktor gasped, his voice desperate and pleading. “No more, Jayce. Fuck me now, please.”

Jayce didn’t need to be asked twice. He turned off the vibrator and slowly eased it out of Viktor’s trembling body. Viktor shuddered at the sensation, his legs twitching as the toy left him empty. Jayce barely spared a glance at the toy as he tossed it onto the nightstand, his focus entirely on Viktor.

Without hesitation, he lined himself up and pressed inside, groaning as the heat of Viktor’s body enveloped him. His arms buckled as he sank down, their bodies meeting as he fell onto Viktor. Their mouths collided in a frantic, messy kiss, their breaths mingling as they moved together.

Jayce slipped his arm under Viktor’s good leg, lifting it to angle himself deeper. His thrusts were wild, his hips snapping with abandon as he humped into Viktor with raw, unrestrained need. The plug inside him shifted with every clench and thrust, pressing mercilessly against his prostate and driving him to the brink of madness.

Viktor seemed lost in the pleasure, his golden eyes rolling back as his nails dug into Jayce’s shoulders. His gasps and moans were incoherent, his body tightening around Jayce with every thrust. When Viktor came, his cock jerked between them, untouched, spilling hot between their bodies. His cries were sharp, his body trembling as he clung to Jayce.

That was all it took for Jayce to follow, the overwhelming sensations crashing over him. He buried his face in Viktor’s neck, groaning loudly as he spilled inside him, his hips stuttering through the waves of release. His body trembled with the intensity, the plug’s pressure adding an edge to his orgasm that left him breathless.

They stayed like that for a moment, tangled together, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as the heat of the moment gave way to quiet intimacy.

Jayce collapsed on top of Viktor, their bodies slick with sweat and the sticky mess smeared between their stomachs. Both of them were silent for a moment, their chests rising and falling as they caught their breath. Viktor’s arms remained loosely draped around Jayce, their connection grounding in the aftermath of their passion.

After a beat, Jayce shifted, rolling off to the side to avoid crushing Viktor any further. He groaned softly as he reached back, pulling the plug out of his own body and tossing it aside onto the growing pile of discarded toys. The sudden absence left him shivering, his muscles still trembling from the aftershocks of pleasure.

“Is it going to be like this every time?” Jayce asked, his voice rough but playful.

Viktor turned his head slightly, one eyebrow arching in question. “Like what?” he asked, his voice curious but drowsy.

Jayce let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he turned his gaze toward Viktor. “The best sex I’ve ever had.”

A quiet laugh escaped Viktor, and he rolled himself over to cuddle into Jayce’s side, his head resting comfortably against Jayce’s chest. “I hope so,” Viktor murmured, “You’re spoiling me.”

Jayce grinned, wrapping his arm around Viktor and holding him close. Shifting slightly, he rolled onto his side so he could press a series of tender kisses to Viktor’s neck and face, his lips lingering with every touch. “That’s the goal,” Jayce murmured between kisses, his voice brimming with affection. “To spoil you rotten.”

-------------

The dream began like all the others—the vibrant colors, swirling fog, the cosmos spreading out before him. Viktor stood in the void, the silence pressing against his ears. He was alone here for once. His counterpart was nowhere to be seen as he waited.

Then, like a crack of lightning, a hooded figure appeared. The white cloak covered in arcane rot, the curved staff. He was silent for a long moment before finally turning to face him.

It was the mage. The one who spoke to Jayce in the wasteland. The elder version of himself.

“You’ve come,” the older Viktor said. His robes billowed lightly, though there was no wind.

Viktor frowned, taking a tentative step forward. “I didn’t have much of a choice, did I?”

His older self gave a soft chuckle, his muted silvery eyes glinting with something like amusement. “No, I suppose you didn’t.”

“You did this? You put us here in this life…..why?” Viktor asked softly. It was strange seeing himself years older. Stranger even than just seeing his counterpart.

“I thought you deserved an epilog.”

“An epilog?” Viktor repeated, tilting his head.

“Yes. A conclusion to what came before—and a beginning for what lies ahead.” The older Viktor gestured to the empty space around them.

“Why here? Why this life full of turmoil?”

“I couldn’t trade you for a perfect world, Viktor. If I had sent you there, the versions of ourselves that resided within would have fought against you. I needed to find a place that was drowning. A Viktor who was more than willing to be replaced, who understood the motivations that drive us.”

Viktor’s breath caught in his throat. “Replaced…”

The older Viktor inclined his head slightly, “Yes, he knew the consequences of this decision. He gave his body willingly knowing his consciousness would be taken over in time.”

Viktor couldn’t believe it. That his counterpart was essentially choosing to die in a way. To give up his life so another version of himself could live it instead.

“How…when…. when it seems that it is us being overtaken?”

This older mage version of himself grimaced slightly, tilting his head back and forth in a familiar gesture that was strange to see outside of himself, “Yes, it is not ideal.”

“How…how do we stop it?” Viktor asked, taking a step closer.

“You have six months or so to figure out how to absorb them. Or they will consume you completely.”

A weight settled on Viktor’s chest. “Absorb them? How?”

The mage Viktor’s eyes gleamed, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “I think you’re already beginning to figure it out.”

Viktor’s mind spun as the pieces clicked into place. “The quantum teleportation…”

“Perhaps,” the mage replied, noncommittal, though there was a knowing gleam in his eyes.

Viktor’s brow furrowed, frustration bubbling under the surface. “Are you always this vague?”

The older Viktor let out a low, quiet laugh. “Well, I can’t just hand you all the answers. This is your journey, after all. I gave you a new life—now you must figure out how to keep it.”

The void began to fade, the edges of the dream fraying like smoke in the wind. Viktor reached out instinctively, his voice trembling. “Wait! What if I fail?”

The mage’s expression softened, his voice a mere whisper as he began to fade. “Then they take over, and you will be lost forever. But I chose you because I know you won’t let that happen.”

With those parting words, Viktor woke, the weight of the dream pressing against him like a heavy cloak. The weight slowly morphed into Jayce’s body draped across him, and Viktor’s heavy lids slipped closed once more.

Chapter Text

"And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God, and I'd get him to swap our places."

-Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

--------------

Jayce stepped into the office. It was strange how normal everything felt now. Only a couple weeks into this life, and yet it felt like he had been living it forever. He and Viktor maneuvered their morning like well-oiled machines, making breakfast and getting ready for their jobs as if…as if this was just their lives now.

There was the element of this life that was like a second chance, but it still felt like there was an axe hanging over their heads. Like it could be taken away from them at any moment, and yet…. They had to proceed as normal. As if they belonged. There was also an element of…. Jayce wasn’t sure if this was what he wanted from his second chance.

There was comfort and peace in the void, where he just got to float through endless time with Viktor in his arms with nothing else mattering. Nothing else existing. No responsibility, no science, just his partner forever entwined. There was a part of him that wanted to return to that, to return to the void and just have Viktor in his arms and to himself without any of the extra bullshit.

It wasn’t that he was ungrateful to be here, more that he wished he didn’t have to deal with any of this. At some point in their past life, Jayce lost sight of what was really important, and then he discovered the truth. That in all that time building hextech the thing he enjoyed the most was just being in the lab with Viktor. Not only being in the lab with him but just…him. Yes, science was great, and he loved spending time working on Jinx’s project in this world, but what he was really enjoying from this life was just…being with Viktor in this way. Romantically. In this new life, he discovered that this was actually all he had ever needed.

Viktor’s soft, sleepy smile. Viktor's slim waistline in his hands, Viktor’s laughter, and Viktor’s love. It was all he wanted. He couldn’t care less about performing the intricacies of this world’s company and conflicts. He didn’t care about building prosthetics or making money. He had already gone through this, his counterpart was still in the throes of the glittering lie that was prestige but Jayce didn’t want to play this game anymore. Jayce would be happy to never step foot in a lab again, to just spend his life in bed with Viktor and forget about the world.

He stopped by Meg’s desk first. She was typing on her ‘computer’ with a speed Jayce could hardly follow. The clicking of the keys was almost musical as her fingers flew over them in a blur. She was wearing a yellow fitted print dress and a green cardigan today. She was the only vibrant thing in this place and Jayce knew that was probably why he hired her. Beyond her general skill at managing him and the tasks he had to perform.

“Morning, Meg,” he said, leaning against the edge of her desk. “Do you have a moment?”

Meg glanced up with a smile, fingers still hovering over her keyboard. Her usual cat eyeglasses were replaced with a pink pair with three little jewels inlaid in the points. “Of course, Mr. Talis. What do you need?”

Jayce hesitated for a beat, his hand running along the back of his neck. “I was wondering if you could do some research into pulmonologists—like, the best in the city. I tried looking into it Saturday, but I wasn’t exactly… thorough.”

Her brow furrowed slightly, “Of course. I can get started on that right away. Do you want me to limit the search to what’s in network?”

Jayce hesitated, “Uh—no, don’t limit yourself…but I guess in network would be where to start.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

“Thanks.” He smiled. Then, steeling himself, Jayce added, “And, uh… while you’re at it, could you also look into some couples’ therapists?”

Meg froze mid-type. Her eyes widened as she processed his words. “…Couples’ therapists?”

Jayce’s eyes flicked away, his confidence faltering. “Yeah. Just, you know… something I think might be good to try. For Viktor and me.” He cleared his throat.

He hadn’t mentioned it to Viktor yet, but he had started really thinking about it as a good cover for their current changes from their counterparts. At this point, he realized that they were acting differently enough that those closest to them had picked up on it. He didn’t think anyone could or would possibly figure it out, but…it was just a good cover—and it might be helpful…to actually go to a session. He didn’t think that he and his Viktor had any of the same issues as their counterparts, but that didn’t mean that it would hurt to do it. Have a paper trail and maybe talk about…. things. Open up about everything, get anything festering off their chests.

Jayce was sure that Viktor still had feelings about the whole…Mel situation, and he was just trying to bury it down, and Jayce didn’t want that. If they were going to take over these lives and live them truly, he thought they needed to hash everything out. They hadn’t really talked about everything that happened in their life that led to their eventual downfall, Viktor just forgave him for everything, and Jayce felt the same. He forgave Viktor. But it was one thing to forgive then die and another to forgive and live out a life together. He thought one session could be enough to bridge any gaps, fill any blank spaces and maybe force Viktor to come out with it, to be truthful about his reaction to everything. It bothered Jayce in some ways to know that Viktor knew about his own feelings the whole time they were together. Eight years in a lab together and Jayce had no idea his partner was in love with him. Eight years he spent being in love back without even knowing it. What if Viktor had said something, told him. Viktor was secretive and it was ok, but Jayce didn’t want to leave any stones unturned. He was going to make this abysmal second chance something worth keeping.

For a moment, Meg’s expression was unreadable, “Of course, Mr.—” She paused, correcting herself. “Jayce.”

“Thanks,” he murmured, his hand brushing over the back of his neck again.

As he turned to head to his office, she stopped him with a hesitant, “Oh, um… Ms. Medarda is already waiting for you. I didn’t know what to say, so…”

Jayce paused mid-step, his shoulders tensing slightly. Then he exhaled, nodding. “It’s okay, Meg. Thanks for letting me know.”

She offered a reassuring smile. “Good luck.”

Jayce gave her a tight smile in return before continuing to his office.

Jayce stepped into his office, the door clicking shut behind him. Mel was already seated in one of the chairs by his desk, her back straight. Her hair was down, tumbling past her shoulders in a way that made Jayce pause. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen her wear it that way outside of their moments in the bedroom—a thought that immediately sent a wave of discomfort coursing through him.

“Mel,” he greeted stiffly.

“Jayce.” Her voice was calm as she turned slightly in her chair to face him.

Jayce moved to his desk and lowered himself into the chair across from her. The atmosphere in the room was already uncomfortable. He didn’t know how to feel about this—any of it. The whole situation was a knot of guilt and unease that he couldn’t seem to untangle.  

He’d deleted the thread of messages between himself and Mel last week, unable to bear the sight of them knowing what they contained. And then there was Viktor—who had spoken with her privately and still refused to share what they had discussed. At first, when Viktor suggested the idea of being friends with her again, it had seemed… plausible. He had gone and apologized to her and felt the weight of what his counterpart had done lift off of his shoulders…and maybe even the guilt of how everything transpired in their past life. But now, sitting here, Jayce felt the unease creep back in. This wasn’t the Mel he had known, not entirely. And yet, in too many ways, it was.

She looked like her, smelled like her, sounded like her. Was it fair to Viktor to continue having contact with her after what his counterpart had done? He was almost positive that Viktor had been bluffing now—that he had maybe not wanted Jayce to offer that olive branch of friendship. It was the main reason he wanted to try out a session of counseling.

“I think we can work back up to being friends,” Mel began, straightforward and to the point.

Jayce blinked. “Oh… is that what you wanted to talk about?”

“Yes,” she said, her lips curving slightly. “I… well, you see, I think that’s what I truly wanted. Underneath it all.” She paused, her eyes drifting briefly to the window before returning to him. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since that meeting—when you got sick and ran out. The moment you said his name, I knew. I knew you had come to some kind of epiphany, or maybe you’d just remembered something important. It was in that moment I felt…that I knew you were never going to… I had let myself believe that I was becoming…but that was a delusion. It was always him. I was just a placeholder for the affection he was withholding from you.”

Jayce stayed quiet, his fingers curling slightly on the desk. He didn’t know how he felt about what she was saying. It made him feel disgusted to think that he used her, but also the idea that she thought she would just slide into Viktor’s place—like that was even possible. Jayce couldn’t imagine a life without Viktor in it, no matter what happened, no matter what circumstances. When Viktor left…Jayce would leave. It was the only way. The only path that made sense to him.

“I let myself have a crush on you…for so long,” Mel admitted, her voice softer now. “You were so handsome and funny and charismatic and charming. It was hard not to want you. But you were… married and gay. It was safe to like you because it was never going to happen.” She stopped, letting the words hang in the air before continuing. “I really liked you, Jayce. I liked spending time with you. I looked forward to meetings because I knew we’d go out to lunch after. And then… I let it get carried away. I let myself imagine being in Viktor’s place. But that’s not what I wanted, not really.”

Jayce shifted uncomfortably, her words pressing against the wounds he’d been trying to let scar over. It didn’t really matter if he had been the one to do what had been done, he was still inside of the body that did it. It was still a version of him. He still had the memories in his mind.

Mel sighed, leaning forward slightly. “I wanted to connect with someone. And you—you were so open, so affectionate. You made me feel… seen. I’ve never had that before.” She hesitated again, glancing down at her hands. “When you went silent on me, I realized what I missed most wasn’t the clandestine meetings or the sex. It was talking to you. We lost everything I liked about us because of what we did. No more silly texts, no more shared looks when someone said something ridiculous in a meeting. It was all gone, and I was… dissatisfied. Not because you stayed with him, but because even when you were with me, your mind was always on him. It had always been your…unavailability that was so attractive about you, but only in the abstract. When I had you in my bed, in my body, and yet you were still…unattainable, that was painful in ways I didn’t foresee.”

Jayce exhaled slowly, “I’m sorry.”

He shifted in his chair, wishing desperately that this conversation was about anything else. Business. Weapons. Whatever was happening behind the scenes that Mel had wanted to talk about before their fight. But no—it was this. He’d been living in a bubble, cocooned in the quiet world he and Viktor had built at home for the week. Now, the things he wanted to forget were rearing their heads again, and Jayce hated every second of it.

“No, I’m… we’re both sorry,” Mel said, her voice faltering slightly as her hands rested on her knees.

“We… hurt each other doing what we did,” Jayce admitted, leaning back in his chair.

This wasn’t just on Mel. His counterpart had done it, and it was his counterpart’s responsibility. Over and over again. That’s what he couldn’t get over. Once, maybe, there in that conference room, overwhelmed with grief and fear and sinking into the comfort offered, but…it was the going to a hotel to do it again. It was the continuing to meet with her for weeks. There was no excuse for that, and it had been his counterpart’s choice to keep it going.

Mel nodded slowly, her eyes falling to the floor. “I didn’t realize how… emotionally unavailable I was. I think that’s why I let the crush fester the way it did. It was easier to love you because you were beyond my reach. It meant I didn’t have to be vulnerable. But then, when it became an option, when I realized that you…well…weren’t completely off the table as far as your sexuality… like a Medarda, I couldn’t let it stand.” She paused, her expression clouded with guilt. “Medardas don’t just get what we want—we take it. And… I’m ashamed to say I fell into that old trap.”

“I let you,” Jayce said softly. His counterpart had moved into that trap easily, saw it clearly even, knew he was playing with it long before he actually acted on anything.

Her head snapped up, and there was something raw in her face as she replied, “You were crying, Jayce. You were crying the whole time. And I… I don’t know why, but it didn’t matter to me at that moment. I only cared that I had won. I didn’t care how you felt, and that’s… unforgivable.”

“Well, it’s over now,” Jayce said, his voice was final. He didn’t want to keep going over this. They did it. It was over. Let it be done. “We don’t have to keep rehashing it. We both did terrible things to each other, and we both did a terrible thing to Viktor. Let’s… just move on.” He hesitated for a moment, “Speaking of Medardas…” He trailed off, hoping it was enough of a hint to move on.

If they were to be friends, this needed to be buried. But the thought nagged at him: if he’d survived in his world, would he and Mel have ever been able to become friends after she learned Viktor was the love of his life? How would his Mel have taken that? Did he want to be friends with her even? He had so many conflicting feelings when it came to his own Mel, with her manipulation and her political maneuvering. It had felt like the right move at the time, but even then, he wasn’t sure what he wanted or what he felt about it all. The idea of being friends seemed so lovely, like really putting this all behind them, but he wasn’t sure the logistics could ever work.

Mel’s lips quirked into a small, knowing smile. “Nice segue there, Jayce.”

“Well… I’m just glad you’re here so we can discuss the contracts,” he said, leaning forward slightly, eager to shift the conversation to safer ground.

“I’ve been trying to discuss the contracts for the past two weeks,” Mel said, crossing her arms. “You’re the one who’s been running away from me like I’m some kind of pariah.”

“Do you blame me?” Jayce asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. I do.” She shot back without hesitation, “We’re business associates first and foremost.”

Jayce huffed and leaned back in his chair. “Noxus,” he said simply.

Mel’s expression shifted, her demeanor growing more serious. “My mother wants to visit in the new year. She wants to extend the loan, to re-up it. Start a new loan that will…” She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Well, it’s not good. And I know you’ve been planning something with your lawyer.”

Jayce’s jaw tightened. “I will not be renewing any contracts. I will not be making any new ones. I’m going to start canceling the ones we already have, Mel. I’m done with the weapons.”

Mel stared at him for a long moment, her expression inscrutable. Finally, she nodded. “Yes… I understand that now, Jayce. I also…” She sighed, the words clearly weighing heavily on her. “I’m sorry. In the beginning, I chose to be your patron because I believed in the work you were doing. But I succumbed to the pressure. I didn’t want to end up like my brother—moneyless and estranged. I thought I could do good work by investing in you. That I could be both a revolutionary and a businesswoman. That I didn’t have to be on the ground protesting and doing activism on the ground in the Congo to make a difference, like him.” She took a breath, “But… I bent to the pressure. My mother was going to cut me off if I didn’t. And… I dragged you and Talis Tech into it. I gave you that contract knowing… knowing what it meant. And there is no excuse.”

Jayce’s shoulders relaxed, and he nodded. “I understand.”

“No, don’t do that. Don’t be understanding, Jayce,” Mel said sharply, leaning forward in her chair. Her hands clenched briefly before she exhaled, forcing herself to calm down. “Let me accept the guilt. I need to.”

Jayce frowned but didn’t interrupt, sensing there was more she needed to say.

“There’s something strange happening at Noxus,” Mel continued, uneasy. “I don’t know the full picture, but my mother wouldn’t be trying to overstep like this otherwise. She’s desperate.”

“Desperate how?” Jayce asked, his brows knit together.

“She’s trying to buy off your other investors. Salo, for one, has already caved, as far as I know,” Mel said, her voice dropping as if the words themselves carried too much weight. “And coming here herself? Trying to extend a contract three years before its completion? It’s out of character. And… foolish. She’s going around me—trying to cut me out of the deal entirely.”

Jayce’s expression darkened. “How do we find out what’s causing it?”

Mel shook her head, her hands folding tightly in her lap. “I don’t know. But whatever’s happening is… serious, Jayce. And I don’t want any part in it. I don’t want either of us to be liable.”

“Liable? For what?”

Mel hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Jayce… I… I called Kino.”

“Kino?” Jayce repeated, “Your brother?”

Mel nodded, her jaw tightening as if bracing for his reaction. “It was just a hunch that I had. And he… he confirmed something I feared.”

“What?” Jayce asked, leaning forward.

“It’s possible,” Mel began, “that my mother has been using the Talis Tech name on… other things. Outside of what’s detailed in the contracts. It’s possible she’s been supplying weapons beyond what’s legally agreed upon.”

Jayce’s blood ran cold.

 “She could be leveraging your name to bypass sanctions, Jayce. To ship to places no one wants to admit they’re arming. If that’s true, it’s not just a breach of contract. It’s—”

“Something big and bad and very illegal,” Jayce finished, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mel nodded, her expression grim. “We need to tread carefully. If this gets exposed, anyone tied to Talis Tech could be implicated. And that includes you, Jayce.”

--------------

Viktor pushed open the door to the nurse’s office with his cane. Sky looked up from her desk, her hands stilling over the paperwork she had been sorting. Her eyebrows raised slightly as he stepped in, one hand tucked behind his back.

“Sky,” Viktor greeted, trying to suppress a smile. He pulled his hidden hand forward, revealing the plush bat with the snaggle-toothed smile and oversized, sparkling eyes. It was his least favorite of the four Jayce had won for him, but she didn’t need to know that. “I brought you something.”

Sky tilted her head, her lips curling into an amused smirk. “Oh? What’s that?”

Viktor placed the little bat on her desk. “Jayce won it at the Hilltop Hollow pumpkin patch this weekend,” he explained, taking a seat in the chair across from her, “I thought it suited you. You’re to be a bat for Halloween, yes? It seemed… appropriate.”

Sky blinked at the plushie, her hand hesitating before picking it up. She turned it over, examining the soft fabric and goofy stitched smile. Viktor set his lunchbox on the desk. It was filled with slices of apple and pumpkin pie, wrapped neatly in wax paper, along with four apple cider doughnuts. They had only made a small dent in all the treats Jayce had splurged on during the pumpkin carving night, and there was far too much left over for him and Jayce to eat alone. Viktor opened his phone and navigated to the Uber Eats app, unfazed by Sky’s silence. Jayce hadn’t had time that morning to arrange his lunch, and that gave him an excuse to try something new.

“I was thinking to try these poke bowls?” he mused aloud, scrolling. “They seem to be like sushi, but—”

Sky cut him off, “This isn’t going to absolve him.”

Viktor stilled, his fingers hovering over the screen. He looked up to meet her eyes, which were unforgiving. Glaring at him over her glasses.

“So what?” she continued, setting the bat down with more force than necessary. “You’re going to keep bribing me with food, and he gets me a cheap bat from a carnival game, and I’m supposed to forget he fucked someone else? That he cheated on my best friend? My best friend who is dying from an incurable lung disease.”

Viktor sighed, placing the phone face-down on the desk. “Sky…”

“No,” she snapped, leaning forward. “Don’t ‘Sky’ me. You don’t get to sweep this under the rug with some cute, fuzzy toy and poke.”

“I do not expect this to fix anything,” Viktor said, “Nor does Jayce. It was a gesture, nothing more.”

He had thought it might be a first step in that direction. That she might just appreciate the toy the way he did. It was soft and endearing, and it was hard to be mad in the face of it.

Sky’s jaw tightened, her fingers curling around the edges of her desk. “He cheated on you, Vik. I listened to you try to justify it for two hours and try to arrange your feelings. You’re trying to hide it, but I could see it that night when we talked. You’re trying to forgive him because you don’t want to go through with the alternative. And now what? I’m supposed to forgive him because it will make things uncomfortable for him if I don’t?”

Viktor leaned back, his expression softening. “I am not asking you to forgive him. That is your decision to make.”

“Damn right, it is,” Sky muttered, folding her arms across her chest. “You can try to forgive him all you want, Vik, but that doesn’t take away from him doing what he did. I mean, seriously, he cheated on you! I feel like I’m taking crazy pills here.”

He reached for the little bat, picking it up and turning it in his hands. It may have been his least favorite, but it was still adorable. He had hung the other three near his jellyfish. One had pink heart eyes, one had red heart eyes, and one was a ‘vampire.’ He thought Sky would like this one best anyway. He couldn’t really name the feeling he was having that she was rejecting this olive branch, but then his thoughts were interrupted by a low, menacing drawl from behind.

“Excuse me?”

The voice sent a shiver down Viktor’s spine, and Sky’s eyes widened behind her glasses. Viktor turned slowly, his stomach sinking as he saw Silco and Sevika standing in the doorway. Sevika’s expression was already thunderous, her face growing redder by the second.

“What the fuck?” Sevika snapped.

Viktor froze, his throat tightening. He hadn’t wanted anyone else to know, and now… now it was all unraveling. He already regretted confiding in Sky the day he had discovered it, and the sight of Silco and Sevika felt like a reckoning.

Sky, for her part, seemed just as stunned. She scrambled to respond, her words tumbling over themselves in panic. “Um… Oh—uh… I just, oh fuck.”

Silco stepped forward, his movements slow and calculated as he pulled a chair from the corner. He sank into it, one leg crossed over the other. That danger that seemed somehow absent from this version of him was there now, wafting off of him like heat. “We wouldn’t be talking about… Jayce, would we, Viktor?” he asked, his tone deceptively mild. “Or does Sky have some other best friend we’re not privy to?”

Sevika exploded before Viktor could speak. “He fucking cheated on you?!” she roared. “What the fuck?”

How much had they heard? Was it possible to play this off as if it were a misunderstanding?

Viktor raised a hand, his voice strained. “It… it isn’t like that.”

There was no way to explain it away. There was no way they could or would understand him. Just like Sky, he couldn’t say that it was a different Jayce who committed the act because that sort of thing was not possible in this world.  They wouldn’t believe him, or they would think he was speaking figuratively. This was a mess.

“And what, pray tell, is it like?” Silco asked, his voice was cutting. His green eyes narrowed on him and Viktor wondered just how close this version of himself was with the Silco of this world. It seemed he must be closer than he originally thought.

Sevika’s growl deepened, her fists clenching at her sides. “I’ll fucking kill him,” she spat. “I’m going to rip his goddamn throat out with my teeth.”

“There is no need for all of that,” Viktor said, trying to maintain some semblance of control over the situation. “This is… this is a misunderstanding, right, Sky?” He turned to her, “You were not speaking of Jayce in that moment. Of course, you weren’t.”

Sky looked between them, her mouth opening and closing as though trying to form a reply. Her hesitation was damning.

Silco’s gaze sharpened, “Interesting,” he murmured, leaning back in his chair. “Go on, Sky. We’re all ears.”

Sky shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She glanced at Viktor, guilt flickering across her face. “I’m sorry, Viktor, but… I’m not going to lie. I don’t want to, and I’m not going to lie for him. If you want to make up some story, be my guest—but leave me out of it.”

Silco’s lips curved into a sharp smile, “Well, that answers that question. We’re going to kill him.”

“No one is killing my husband,” Viktor snapped, his voice rising in frustration. This was spiraling out of control.

“Don’t worry,” Silco said smoothly, trying to be reassuring. “I know people. It will be very discreet.”

“Silco!” Viktor slammed his hand on the desk, the sound reverberating through the small office. “No. This… this isn’t what you think it is.”

“Then explain it to me,” Silco drawled, his head tilting as he studied Viktor like a puzzle he was determined to solve. “Because from where I’m sitting, it seems rather clear. Your husband was fucking someone who wasn’t you.”

Sevika’s growl punctuated his words, her fists clenching tighter. “You’re leaving him, right?” she demanded. “You can’t possibly be staying.”

Viktor exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This is my marriage, not yours. I have made my choice—”

Sky interrupted, her voice tight. “He had divorce papers drawn up and everything, but he’s forgiving him.”

Viktor’s head snapped toward her, his golden eyes flashing. “You’re not helping, Sky!” he barked. “I didn’t want anyone else to know.”

Sky shrank back slightly, guilt and defiance warring on her face. “Well… I…” She hesitated, then quickly changed the subject, her voice pitched higher. “Why were you guys over here anyway?”

Silco leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. His expression was unreadable, “We were wondering why the two of you haven’t been having lunch in the lounge lately. And now we know.” His eyes glinted as he gestured vaguely, “You’ve been hiding away to discuss Jayce’s apparent infidelity.”

Viktor groaned, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temples. “This conversation is ridiculous. I was just ordering Uber Eats—I wanted to try a poke bowl,” he said wearily, attempting to steer the conversation back to something—anything—less volatile.

Sky crossed her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I brought lunch. You need to tell me when you’re planning to bribe me with food. What did you bring if not lunch?”

Viktor glanced at his lunchbox, “Jayce bought far too much pie and apple cider doughnuts. I was going to share, but if you are all going to plot the love of my life’s murder, I’m not going to share any with you.”

Sevika let out a derisive scoff. “Love of your fucking life, huh? Was he the love of your life while he was balls deep in somebody else?”

Viktor winced, the words hitting harder than he cared to admit. He inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself, before speaking. “My relationship is off limits,” he said firmly, “I will not be discussing this further.”

Without waiting for a response, Viktor stood, carefully gathering his lunchbox. He turned on his heel and exited the room, using his cane to slam the door behind him.

He made his way back to his empty classroom. Once inside, Viktor shut the door and locked it, leaning heavily against the wood for a moment. His chest tightened as the weight of the situation sank in. Now, more people knew. Silco knew. And if Silco knew, there was a very real possibility that Vi and Jinx would find out.

This was a fucking mess.

“Do prdele.”

Viktor slumped into his chair, dropping his lunchbox on the desk. He pressed his hands over his face, blocking out the world, if only for a moment. He let out a long, shaky breath. For now, he would have to focus on containing the fallout. This was too much, and he wasn’t feeling well. That felt like the new mantra of his life, just generally feeling sick all the time.

His hands slid from his face to rest on the desk, and his gaze dropped to the untouched lunchbox. The thought of eating just pie and doughnuts for lunch was absurd but he had wasted too much time to try and order food now. He really wanted to try a poke bowl.

--------------

Jayce slumped into his chair as the latest interminable meeting drew to a close. Alex had spent nearly an hour droning on about new weapons projects, and Jayce was certain he couldn’t take another second of it. His mind wandered as he pulled out his phone.

He opened his messages and typed quickly, reaching out to Vi.

Jayce: Gym at 4?

The response was immediate as if she’d been waiting for something to do.

Vi: Can’t. Training for the fight on Wednesday.

Vi: Fuck.

Vi: Here’s the info.

A follow-up text buzzed through, containing an address and what time he was expected to be there.

Vi: You know the drill, you go to the booth, and they’ll have your names, they’ll give you a badge, and you can access the VIP Family seats up front.

Vi: You guys are coming, right? You said you were.

Vi: This might be the BIG one. Fucking scouts and shit from Bellator, Cage Warriors, and LFA

Vi: At least those are the ones Loris is aware of

Jayce groaned softly under his breath. He had completely forgotten about the fight and forgotten to tell Viktor about it.

Jayce: Yes, of course we are.

He made a mental note to let Viktor know as soon as he got home.

As the office cleared, Jayce had just begun gathering his things when Alex advanced on him with a determined look on his face. His brows furrowed, and a frown pulled down his thin lips.

“Got a minute?” Alex’s voice left no room for refusal.

Jayce sighed, nodded, and motioned toward his office. He knew that Alex was pissed at him. He could tell from the text messages he ignored. He just didn’t know how to handle him. It was odd being partners with anyone other than Viktor. Jayce actually had a hard time looking at him at all, it was different with Mel. There was no agonizing pain and flood of memories. He just didn’t like the guy or what he represented. It probably wasn’t fair.

Once they were seated with the door closed, Alex wasted no time.

“So,” he began, leaning forward in his chair. “Am I going to have to carry you all week again? Are you planning to take another few days off any time soon? Want me to just bend over and take it raw, unlubed, even though half these fucking people don’t want to talk to me—they want you—Mr. Fucking Golden Boy.”

Jayce blinked, caught off guard. “I—”

“You know,” Alex cut him off, “when I agreed to be a shadow partner working the weapons division of this company, I could deal with the disrespect, Jayce. I could understand that I wasn’t a full partner. I wasn’t front-facing. I was here to deal with the weapons contracts so your husband could stay in the dark, and you wouldn’t have to deal with them yourself. Only holding 2% of the shares on top of my salary made sense.”

Jayce’s brows furrowed, he knew that he had the majority shares, and that Mel held the second majority, but it did seem odd that someone considered a partner would have…so little.

“Then Viktor left,” Alex pressed on, his voice sharpening. “I got promoted to full partner, and I was expecting to be elevated to a minimum of 5%. Maybe to slip into the shoes he left—not in the lab, obviously, but in terms of power here. In decision-making. But no. I didn’t get shit except a raise.”

Jayce opened his mouth to respond, but Alex held up a hand to stop him.

“You actually just kept all those shares to yourself. But that was fine because you were the Golden Boy, and I was just the guy handling the weapons contracts you didn’t want to touch. I get you feeling like you needed to keep the majority shares. Basically, I was just Partner in name like a figurehead. To show solidarity in the face of the other half of this company splitting off. United front, you weren’t going to be alone—all that. But this—” He gestured broadly toward the office. “This is getting ridiculous, Jayce. If you want me to be the goddamn face here, to handle these meetings, to be the one people have to come to because you’re not fucking here, then I expect to be compensated for that.” Alex leaned back, his jaw tight as his frustration spilled over. “You can’t expect me to give you full partner treatment for a measly salary and 2—fucking—%. So, are you going to stick around, or do we need to look at my contracts again?”

Jayce leaned back in his chair, running a hand down his face. This was a fucking mess, what the hell had his counterpart been thinking. “I’m sorry I’ve been absent… there’s been a lot going on—”

Alex snorted, “Yeah, I get it. Your husband is dying. So maybe that means you need to let go of the fucking reins and give me a little more freedom here.”

Jayce’s jaw clenched as Alex’s words hit like a sucker punch, and he leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. Who the fuck did this guy think he was? All sympathy he felt flew out the window.

“Is that how you think you can talk to me?” Jayce’s voice was low, tight, and dangerous. “Is that how you think you can talk about Viktor’s illness? You think this is the way to start negotiations with me?”

Alex glared back, unyielding. “You’re not giving me much choice, are you? You’ve been too busy with your sick husband and fucking Mel that you don’t even realize what’s going on around you anymore—”

“Get the fuck out of my office.” Jayce’s voice cracked like a whip. He didn’t think he’d ever been this mad before in his life. Maybe in the wasteland when he was going insane, maybe when he thought he had to fight Viktor, but even then, it wasn’t anger he had been feeling. Not really…. Maybe it was when he confronted Mel about her manipulation, maybe when he discovered the affair, but even then…But this man flippantly talking about Viktor’s death was a step beyond what he could handle.

But Alex didn’t back down. “I’m serious, Jayce. You gave me the title, and then you fucking jumped me. You kept all of Viktor’s shares, and that wasn’t the fucking deal. I’ve waited five years, and I’ve been cool because I thought the salary made up for it. If anything, I was doing the same job—just more forward-facing and with more money. But it’s become more than that for a while. For months now, you’ve got me doing more and more. Your fucking job. And here I am, a goddamn chump.”

 “I’m not going to sit here and let you talk about my husband the way you are.”

There was a tense silence that neither of them seemed to want to breach. A staring contest to see who would break first. Who would blink.

Alex sighed and visibly deflated, leaning back in his chair. “Okay, okay, I came in hot. Sorry, I… I shouldn’t have talked about Viktor dying like it’s not a big deal. But the thing is, Jayce… you’re fucking me over, and I’m tired of it.”

Jayce exhaled slowly, forcing himself to loosen his grip on the desk. “Well, I’m planning to overhaul and close all the weapons manufacturing, so you’re not going to be dealing with it for long.”

Alex’s head snapped up, his blue eyes wide. “You can’t be fucking serious.”

“I am.”

“This…” Alex ran a hand through his hair, his voice rising. “The board isn’t going to fucking go for that! You get that I’m your partner? When were you going to tell me that, huh? You were just going to what? Try and liquidate, sell the whole thing off without consulting me at all?”

This was a mess, and he needed to clean it up. Mel had already agreed to work with him on dismantling the contracts and it turned out that Alex barely had any control over the company anyway. He didn’t need him on board, and if all he was here to do was keep the weapons contracts intact, then he was basically obsolete.

Jayce crossed his arms and leaned back, “It seems like you’re only a partner by name. If anyone is my partner, it’s Mel.”

Alex sneered, standing from his seat and placing his hands on the desk to lean over, “Oh yeah? And how would Viktor like that? What if I gave him a little call? Let him know what you and Mel get up to in your private meetings?”

Jayce blinked, momentarily stunned by the audacity, before a dark laugh bubbled up from his throat. “Are you blackmailing me?”

“Yes,” Alex said without hesitation, leaning back and crossing his arms defensively.

Jayce barked out a short, humorless laugh, his head shaking slightly. “Good luck with that. Viktor already knows. Mel and I are over, so whatever you thought you were holding over me is worthless. But you know what isn’t? Your job. And guess what? You’re fired.”

Alex flinched at the declaration, taking a step back as though the words had physically struck him. “Viktor… knows?” His voice cracked slightly. There was an edge of disbelief. He almost looked hurt by the new information.

Jayce tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. “What, were you holding that in your back pocket to use against me? Is that how you think you get your way? How did we ever get along, Alex? Because looking at you now, I’m at a loss.”

Jayce had no idea how Alex became his partner, no idea how the two of them got along at all. His counterpart was being especially silent and hadn’t shown him a single memory of this man. There was a black hole where his memories should be like Alex barely existed to his counterpart despite being in such a close position.

Alex’s expression twisted into a bitter grimace, “I don’t know, Jayce. Maybe it’s because you weren’t such a selfish bastard. Maybe it’s because you were actually tolerable before you fucked me over. It’s hard to keep getting along with someone who jipped me out of millions from a deal we both knew I deserved. I was fucking promised 5%, Jayce, and you screwed me. Promises broken left and right. Do you think you can just skate through on Goodwill forever? On your pretty fucking Golden Boy Face?”

Jayce’s voice was clipped as he shot back as he stood as well. He wasn’t going to be loomed over by this man. “Well, you’re still fired.”

“You can’t fucking fire me!” Alex shouted, stepping closer, his face flushed with frustration and something that bordered on desperation. “I’m your partner, a board member, and a fucking shareholder. That’s one damn thing you can’t fucking do! Not without buying me out, and I’m not fucking selling.”

 “Fine. Paid leave then—indefinitely. I’ll deal with your contract later.”

Alex’s face reddened further, his voice trembling with barely restrained rage. “You’re just saying that to me outright? You’re just trying to fucking fire me and admit you’re going to find a way to break everything you promised? You can’t get these shares back unless I give them up, so what? You’re just going to kick me off operations? You can’t just sideline me without the board’s approval! You’re not a dictator here, Jayce.” His blue eyes shimmered as tears began to well up.

For a moment, Jayce faltered. The vulnerability in Alex’s eyes stabbed at him in a way he hadn’t expected. His brain scrambled to understand why. It wasn’t sympathy—not exactly—but something about Alex’s face, with his mousy brown hair and big, expressive eyes… If Jayce squinted, there was something there, something that almost reminded him of—

“Fuck you, Jayce. Fuck you!” Alex’s sudden outburst shattered the moment. The man surged forward, closing the space between them, and before Jayce could react, Alex’s lips were on his in a desperate, frantic kiss.

Jayce recoiled instantly, shoving Alex off with such force that the man stumbled backward, his legs giving out as he fell hard onto the floor. Alex sat there, dazed, his breathing uneven as his hands clenched into fists on the carpet.

“What the hell, Alex?!” Jayce shouted, his chest heaving. “What the actual fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Jayce stood frozen, his hand hovering near his face as the sensation of Alex’s unwelcome kiss lingered on his lips. He rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand, his breath uneven. For a moment, neither of them said anything, their eyes locked in a mixture of disbelief and discomfort.

Alex finally rose to his feet, brushing off his slacks and straightening his shirt, trying to salvage any dignity he had left. His voice was soft and uneven when he spoke. “I… I just never understood why it was her.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed, “Alex—”

“I really thought…” Alex paused, his lips pressing into a thin line. “But then it was her.”

Jayce exhaled sharply, his patience waning. “I think you should leave for the day. Let’s just… forget this conversation happened, and—”

“You never saw me like that at all, did you?” Alex interrupted, and that’s when Jayce saw it. The barest resemblance to Viktor. The way his eyes looked up at him through his lashes, the similar high cheekbones set in a rounder, fuller face.

Jayce’s hesitation was brief but obvious. “No.”

Alex’s expression shifted into something raw, vulnerable, and angry all at once. He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “The first time I met him, I thought… ‘Oh yeah, makes sense.’ We kind of look similar, you know? He’s funny, sarcastic, witty, and kind of a bitch. And when I leaned into that—when I played up the bitchiness—you laughed. God, you laughed. You were always so goddamn touchy. A hand on my shoulder, my arm, my back…”

That was it—wasn’t it? Alex could look like Viktor is a certain light. At a certain angle. He was on the thinner side, he had less interesting coloring, but there was something about his eyes and the shape of his face that was reminiscent of Viktor’s. Not a single thing else. Jayce wondered if that small, barely recognizable similarity was the only reason his counterpart chose this man to be his silent partner above anyone else.

Jayce’s jaw tightened, the urge to lash out at the absurdity of this revelation boiling under his skin. “Alex—”

“Then he left,” Alex continued, gaining momentum, “and I thought you would… we would… But no. You fucking shut me out, gave me scraps, then started getting all chummy with Mel. Pulled back from me even more. At first, I thought it was because you knew—guessed that I was the source that informed him of your lies…but no, you never figured it out yourself, and he never told you.”

He understood why his counterpart chose Alex. In some subconscious way, the man reminded them of Viktor, and he understood that the same reason his counterpart liked him in the beginning when they hired him was the reason his counterpart blocked him out. It hurt to look at him, to see the vague resemblance of his husband haunting this other man’s face. But this…this was the person who had told Viktor’s counterpart about the weapons, had tipped over the dominoes that would start this path for their relationship falling apart. Why? Why would he do this? Because he was interested in Jayce…. attracted to him.

Jayce shook his head, cutting him off. “Alex, seriously. Take the day—hell, take the week. Cool off before you say something else you’ll regret.”

Jayce sighed, dragging his hand down his face. The tension in the room was almost suffocating. After his conversation this morning with Mel, Jayce felt drained, as though he had run a marathon he didn’t know he’d signed up for. Adding this to the mix was too much.

But Alex lingered, “Why not me, huh? What was so different?”

Jayce stared at him. His mind raced, pulling at every interaction they’d had in this life. The meetings, the texts—all strictly professional, all devoid of anything that hinted at what Alex was now laying bare. He couldn’t pinpoint a single moment where Alex had communicated anything beyond business, anything that suggested…this. Not a single memory from his counterpart, not a single indication that there had ever been anything going on.

“Alex,” Jayce began carefully, “You’re a business partner. That’s all you’ve ever been to me. I never saw you that way.”

The words came out harsher than he intended, and Alex’s face contorted, the anger melting into something more like heartbreak. For a moment, Jayce thought he might say more, but Alex just shook his head with a bitter laugh.

“I’ll be gone for the rest of the week,” Alex finally spat, “Good fucking luck.”

With that, Alex spun on his heel, striding toward the door. Before he exited, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder with a sardonic smile. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be so brilliant, you’re an idiot.”

He slammed it with such force that it bounced back open, rattling on its hinges. Jayce froze, his eyes flickering to the now-open doorway where Meg stood, her blue eyes wide with alarm behind her cat eyeglasses.

Jayce swallowed hard, locking eyes with her.

--------------

The halls were nearly empty, the muffled sounds of doors closing and the distant voices of laughing students fading into silence as the day wound down. Viktor carefully packed his bag. He was going to have to work on some of this grading at home. There was a slight creaking, and he glanced toward the doorway to see Silco leaning there, one shoulder propped against the frame.

“It isn’t any of your business,” Viktor said not pausing in his task.

Silco pushed off the door and stepped inside, closing it behind him with a quiet click. “You know,” he began, his voice was smooth, conversational, “Vander and I… we’ve had our fair share of dark moments.”