Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Viktor was not like any other sentinels. A rarity. One of the main reasons why it took him so long to be identified as one.

Most sentinels were identified in their teenage years with their gifts manifesting in ways that made a visible difference. Growing large with brute strength, or senses being hypertuned in a way that was impossible to hide. Something preternatural. Vander had his strength and his shield abilities that blocked out any mental attacks in a given radius. His abilities were so intense that he ended up finding the Lanes. And becoming the guardian that protected everyone within the slums all together. 

That was what sentinels were for. Creating a community, becoming a leader. A guardian. 

Viktor’s body stayed thin and weak. When his gift activated in Zaun, it was small and feeble just like himself. He didn’t even know that the change had occurred himself. Viktor would ask for something tedious — to pass a pen, or to grab his cane — and others would often oblige. He believed it was because he was cripple. Pity. 

When he went to Piltover to study under Heimerdinger his gift grew healthier.  People around him always seemed to give him what he asked for, if he asked out right. 

It was only when he ran into a professor at a bar before a large exam he understood what it was. Half drunk and joking, Viktor asked the professor what was on the exam. The other man wasn’t even tipsy at that point – but he had willingly forked up the topics and answers. Explaining in excruciating detail what was to be on the final examination papers. Eyes glossed over in a blank compliance. Viktor asked the professor to forget and the next day it was as if nothing had happened at all.

Mind manipulation. An ability to trigger compliance with memory manipulation.

He was a sentinel. With a banned gift.

Viktor would be tagged as extremely dangerous. He would lose his job and be monitored the rest of his life. He could be drugged and kept under security. 

He also never received the heightened senses, such as sight or hearing or scent, like the norm. Viktor had gained pattern recognition. An enhanced logical comprehension that effectively calculated any scientific problem he set his mind to. Innate ability to parse data. 

An unlocked genius. It was easy to put the pieces together once he figured it out. The patterns exposing themselves to a singular logical explanation. 

Viktor never told anyone. 

That’s not until Jayce found out. Entirely by accident. 

Viktor was curled up on a couch, nursing a heavy migraine and a brittle cough in his throat. It was nearing midnight and Viktor, in his state, could not build up the strength to trudge his way back to his dorm. 

His health had been getting worse these months. It was no secret that Viktor fought through his fragile, weakening body. Always down with a flu or a cold, his immune system nonexistent. Although tonight, it was harder to dismiss.

The upcoming stakeholders meeting with the Council has been keeping Viktor on an extreme diet of excessive over caffeination and minimal sleep for weeks now. On top of being cooped up indoors without the sunshine nor fresh air. All creating a perfect twisted storm. 

He was running calculations in his head when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. Viktor ignored it, focusing back on solving the equation from earlier. Visualizing the variables in his mind as he reduced the problem. 

Another tap on his shoulder. Viktor tried ignoring again but it persisted. He snapped his eyes open in annoyance when he saw Jayce’s face in front of his own. Eyes bewildered and wide, brows furrowed and mouthing empty words.

Slowly, the world came into focus again, his migraine still pounding in his ears. 

“Viktor? Viktor, are you okay?” Jayce’s voice is panicked. His hand wrapped around Viktor’s shoulder.

“I am fine. Jayce, what is going on?” Viktor grunted out, his mouth dry.

The expression shifted from concern to confusion. Jayce muttered out, “You were unresponsive for the past forty five minutes… V I’ve been trying to… I thought… I thought you were…”

Viktor does not want to hear the rest of those words. Jayce’s face is thick with worry and pity.

“I am fine.” Curt, Viktor snapped. “I just need some caffeine in me.”

“I don’t think that's a good idea. You need rest, you’re human.”

“Will you grab me a cup of coffee?” Viktor snarled, a flash of his abilities cracking through.

Jayce turned briskly towards the little coffee and tea station they kept off to the side. Taking two steps towards it when he froze. Slowly, he turned to face Viktor once more, this time with horror written plainly on his face. “You… you’re a sentinel”

Viktor stayed silent. Unable to confirm out loud. Realizing what he had done.

He had always been careful not to activate his abilities around Jayce. Over the years he had gotten pretty good at not using his power of suggestion when requesting things but when his headache and coughing fits triggered it was harder to subdue. There were a few moments where he had accidently used it around Jayce, but this was the first time it had slipped directly on his business partner.

There was no way Jayce could have snapped out of it. That had never happened before. 

“You’re unregistered….” Jayce took a step back, then steadied himself. Repeating once more with a soft chuckle, as if the words were a revelation. “You’re unregistered.”

Viktor felt a shiver creep up his spine. “Is that amusing for you?”

“No, no. V, don’t you see, your health it’s deteriorating because you need a guide.” Jayce smiles, lop-sided and confident. “Your abilities are probably draining you faster than you can keep up restoring yourself.”

Viktor closed his eyes and took a deep inhale. Kneading the words over in his mind, and if he was being perfectly honest with himself, it made perfect sense. The throbbing amplifying as he mulled over the thought.

Everyone knew sentinels all needed guiding sessions with prolonged use of their abilities. They were a liability at the end of the day. 

That would explain how he felt foggy after spending the whole day in the lab, similar to sentinels going to a catatonic state by getting lost in a specific hyperactivation. Losing themselves to all other senses except the one they were honed in on. 

It was normally meant for warriors or guardians who were focused in hunting down a possible threat to their packs but here Viktor was, using his ability to hone in on developing Hextech. On Arcane research. 

Also a clear explanation for the headaches and the coughing, the rapid deterioration of his body as he leaned more and more into work. In creating a legacy for the people of Zaun. 

Viktor chewed on his bottom lip. Perhaps that too was a part of the sentinel trait, wanting to protect those he saw as a part of his community. Zaunites. Deemed his pack, all under his – so called – protection. 

“It is… possible.” Viktor sighed.

“You need guiding sessions, V. Regular ones… you probably did enough damage to yourself already and we don’t know if it will have permanent effects.” Jayce chided, irritatingly understanding as usual. Always able to make him see calm through the anxiety. Pulling up a chair next to Viktor.

“I don’t want to register myself. Perhaps I can seek out some guide in Zaun who is willing inconspicuously.”

Jinx had her speed and developed an ability to talk to to the dead , a branch of necromancy. He heard from Singed Silco of the Chem Barons was a guide for Vander once, and ran some underground clubs of the unsavoury kind. 

Something about his daughter needing services. Perhaps there would be some guides working there. All rumours he has only heard, being mostly removed from Zaun politics the past decade. He should be able to find out through Dr. Reveck if necessary.

Jayce cleared his throat. “I can guide you.”

“You’re a guide?” Viktor managed to croak out amidst the surprise. Taken back by the reveal, thinking. Jayce had caught on so quickly, that made sense.

“Registered and everything.” Jayce smiles a crooked grin, “but they never found anyone compatible with me so I am just on the system.”

“Compatibility?” 

“Have you been given the rundown of what sentinels and guides are to each other?” 

Viktor shook his head.

“Usually when a sentinel or guide is registered, they take a sample of your DNA. Just some spit in a tube they can analyze and keep on record. Then they pair you according to your compatibility rate to each other.” Jayce sighed, “I don’t know what your reason is for not wanting to be registered, and I hope you do so you can seek a proper support network. But in the meanwhile I can guide you.”

“What happens if one is not compatible?” Viktor asks, the throbbing in his head becoming unbearable as he tries to reason out all the possibilities. 

“It just won’t be as effective, may take longer sessions to get you back to adequate levels.” Jayce’s voice is warm and smoothing. 

“And guiding is…” Viktor looked down to Jayce’s lips, then back up to his golden eyes. “Sexual in nature?”

Guiding sessions best work through touch. Speech can work too, but the effects diminish as the distance increases and direct touch is always the recommended first step. The more intense the touch, the more intense the healing effects. The sessions vary from cuddling to full on sex marathons depending on the conditions of the sentinel in question.

“Yes.” Jayce's look is focused. Intense, like a physical weight on his skin. Sending something ticklish down Viktor’s spine. Jayce continues, a little hurriedly adding “I won’t do anything you are not comfortable with. And we can take it as slow as you can, but I want to help.”

Jayce does not push. He never does. Jayce is always considerate.

There has been several controversies around guiding houses, and the nature of guiding sessions. There is always one or two instances per year where a guide is abused and raped by a sentinel who is boarding on a state of mania due to the overuse of his ability. 

Viktor wonders if he too would get addicted to guiding. If he would ever take advantage of Jayce in that way.

But Jayce is offering. And Viktor is aching with pins and needles all over his body. 

After a drawn out pause, Viktor gives in. “Start slow.”

His partner’s face lights up. Eyes sparking with relief, and excitement before settling into something darker. Something enchantingly seductive. 

Jayce kneels closer, in front of Viktor inches away. He takes Viktor's hand, tenderly. Making eye contact, like liquid gold. Asking. Viktor nods, a lump in his throat. 

Slowly, he brings it to his mouth and kisses the back of his hand. Bringing his hand over, Jayce lets Viktor’s arm rest on his shoulders as he leans in closer. He touches their foreheads together, hand trailing along Viktor’s shirt. Slipping under, warm hands melting the places it lingers on. Sending pleasant tingles all throughout his body. 

Jayce nuzzles into the slope of Viktor’s shoulder, nose brushing up against his neck. Breath tickling hot on his skin. He hums into the neck, “how does that feel?”

Viktor lets out a shaky breath and sighs out “fine.”

“Just fine?” Tenderly, Jayce leans over. Pushing Viktor back onto the couch, and snuggles himself on top. 

One tiny movement at a time, silky smooth in a way that asks for permission each step. All Viktor wants to do is melt, become liquid and pool under his partner’s touch. 

A hand slides under his shirt, exploring the places of his abdomen, chest that feel all too intimate. 

Warm breath fluttering over his neck and ear as Jayce slots himself on top. Viktor’s whole body shudders in anticipation.

“Do you want more?” Jayce breathes. 

Here is the thing. Viktor feels more relaxed than he has been in the past few months — or perhaps years. However, he cannot bring himself to stop, all he wants is to be in this blissful state. Pinned under Jayce Talis.

“Are you okay with it?” Viktor asks. Unable to stop himself from craving more of the warm touch that is an instant soothe on his headache, muscle spasms and tension. 

“Of course” Jayce purrs, low. Cooing against the slope of Viktor’s neck. Lips brushing against it, feathery light touches like snowflake kisses. His hands trace every ridge, the bumps of bones along his all too thin body downwards. Stopping at his belt buckle, still in the rumbling tone, Jayce says “are you okay with it?”

Viktor has to fight off the spike of deafening urge to demand Jayce to continue. To command him to do so. So instead, he nods. 

Fluently, hands undo his pants. Unzipping with equal parts care and haste, Jayce’s hand finding its way inside the boxers. Gripping his already hard cock, springing it free. 

Thumbing the pearl of precum, Jayce’s hands wrap itself around. Delicately, spreading the small amount of liquid. Hands playing out a rhythm, like a melody, pumping allegro. Viktor takes in a sharp inhale as he is coaxed, breath hitched out. 

Viktor’s hands hug Jayce’s shoulders, head buried somewhere in his partner’s chest. Small moans being swallowed into the muscle as the sensation flushes over and through him. Like a wave, lapping along the shore, the rhythm becoming confident. Faster. 

A shaky breath escapes his mouth, somewhere in between a sigh and a ragged moan. Jayce plants more kisses along his temples, cooing praises. Compliments, something cloying and sugary. 

All that’s lost as Viktor’s fingertips dig into Jayce. Shuddering, as he tries to stop, his other hand snapping to Jayce’s wrist. 

The strokes come quicker, more daring now. Radiating warmth and intoxicating pleasure, something reminiscent of paradise. Building up inside him, coiling in his lower stomach. Viktor shuts his eyes, nose inhaling Jayce’s body, the perfume of his skin.

Arching his back, Viktor comes. Trembling and Jayce’s name on his lips. An apology just the same.

A flood of guilt and relief washing over him. 

When Viktor opens his eyes, golden green ones are staring back at him. A set of summer eyes. Intently focused as if he is the most beautiful thing in the world.

Viktor could be projecting, for Jayce is the most striking person he has ever met. Perfection incarnate. 

Soft gaze, fixed on his own. 

His mind has not been this clear for ages, for as long as he can remember. A weight dissipated off him, like something completely unknown had been sliced off clean. Vision sharpening. 

“Jayce…” Viktor whispers. Furrowing his brows as he tries to understand the difference from before this, and after. 

This… so called guiding that is nothing like being jerked off by any lover. 

“Feeling better, V?” The tender softness he saw in Jayce’s eyes are gone. Replaced by his usual calm. Although his usual calm is still terrifyingly magical to Viktor. 

“Yes. Thank you.” Overtly civil, Viktor says. Curling slightly away to hide his embarrassment. It had been a lot to take in and well… he just came in front of his business partner. 

And it might have been the most addicting thing he has experienced. 

Viktor has to cut it off before it puts a wrench in their work dynamic.

“I’m glad I can help.” Jayce has always picked up on all of Viktor’s moods like it was natural to him. And this time too, he wastes no time picking up on Viktor’s disassociation. Removing himself from the couch, away from Viktor.

The feeling of loss is overwhelming. 

“You should… get a proper guide assigned to you.” Jayce says, blanky. A forced smile on his lips. 

He cannot. 

But Jayce doesn't have to know that.

“I will.” 

The smile on Jayce’s face falters. Golden summer eyes giving away into something that looks like hurt before becoming Jayce once more. “Good, we should… uh, get some sleep before morning.”

"I agree." Viktor said, reaching out to hold Jayce's face in his hand. His beautiful lab partner lets him. Leaning into the touch ever so slightly. Earlier, Viktor hadn’t been using his full capability. Earlier, he had been feeling shit, but now there was a brand new clarity. A sense of control. 

Viktor held his breath for a few more small moments before he spoke "Forget what happened. My sweet Jayce, you must forget that I am a sentinel."

Chapter Text

Jayce woke up feeling odd. The dream he had last night was too realistic to  be brushed off, too vividly imprinted on his memories. Viktor had been a sentinel, and he had helped him through a guiding session. 

Back in his home, one overlooking the Hexgates through the balcony he had made himself a note to look up everything he could on sentinels. Research all possible side effects. That too, was strange since Jayce rarely gave any thought to the dynamic between the two kinds. He himself presented as a guide, but had not opted for the career path. By law he was registered but they never contacted him for any sentinels of high compatibility percentages. 

Although now, the need to look into that world hung over him like an itch, an overwhelming tick forming in his brain. Something triggering the need. 

With Progress Day just around the corner, Jayce really couldn't be affording another hyperfixation. Viktor was working so hard to get the last of their equipment up and running, the Atlas Gauntlet and the Hexclaw needed some fine tuning before their stakeholders presentation. 

On top of that, he had to write a speech to give.

Nonetheless, he found himself making his way to the Council Archives first thing in the morning, at 7 AM with a mug of tea in hand, rummaging through the database for any information he could find on sentinels. 

Specifically, sentinels who refused guiding sessions and went into a state of mania from the corruption of their abilities.

Jayce did not like what he saw. 

The void – or the rift, according to some scriptures – formed when a powerful sentinel lost the ability to control themselves. Losing their minds entirely and becoming corrupted from prolonged stress of their abilities. Side effects could be detrimental to the society they guarded, and in some cases irrevocable damages occurred. 

His wristwatch beeped, right on time for the alarm he set to make his way to the lab. He downed the remainder of his tea, tossed the take out cup in the trash and hastily made his way to his work. 

His, and Viktor’s lab. On the way, he grabbed himself another cup of Royal Breakfast tea and a cup of dark roast coffee with sweetmilk for V. 

Jayce pulled up to work to find VIktor already bent over his desk and neck deep in his research. He walked over and handed him the coffee. “Hey, don’t tell me you stayed the night here again.”

Viktor looked up from his work, removing his goggles and taking the cup. He looked refreshed in a way Jayce had not seen in weeks – illuminating ivory skin, bright amber eyes, an easy smile on his face. Viktor was always beautiful but today, he looked radiant. Glowing.

“You look like you had the best sleep in years, V.” Jayce blurted out.

Taking a small sip of the coffee, Viktor grinned “I have good days and bad. How are you doing?”

“Pretty good. I had a really weird dream last night” Jayce babbled, comfortable in sharing anything and everything at this point with Viktor as he settled into his desk. Typical morning routine.

“Weird dream?” his partner asked, voice a half a tone lower as he eyed Jayce from his desk. A cadence that implied something was a miss. 

Jayce picked up on the wariness immediately. Brushing it off. “Yeah, no big deal.”

“What was the dream about?” It was spoken to be casual but Jayce heard the concern underneath. 

It was strangely natural for him to pick up on his partner’s mood shifts, they were so clear to him. Jayce never comprehended those who called Viktor a shroud of mystery. Years of being cooped up together probably made a lot of difference when it came to understanding one another. 

To put his partner at ease, Jayce spoke lightly, “you were a sentinel. I think something with mind control but I think that’s my brain telling me that I listen to you too much. Perhaps I should rebel against you and actually make you go home at a reasonable time.”

“That’s not normal…” Viktor said under his breath.

“What’s not normal is my data. I can’t get the frequencies to align again, I tried to optimize for strength now my equations are off.” Jayce said, sliding a pile of papers across their desks over to Viktor. 

Invigorated by some magical force, Viktor was able to hash out all the problems that had been blocking Jayce for the past few days. New equations perfected in a matter of minutes. On top of that, Viktor made adjustments to both the Hexclaw and Atlas Gauntlet that needed to be forged.

And that simply became routine for the next few days, early mornings in the Council Archives reading up on sentinels. Checking in with Viktor at the lab, heading to the forge to complete their improvements. Asking Sky to help rework his Innovations speech. Back home to crash on his bed until Progress day. 

The morning of Progress Day went as badly as it could have. They presented their new technology to Heimerdinger and the yordle had brushed it off. Saying there is decades of time to perfect the works before handing it off to the public.

Jayce agreed with the professor but Viktor was visibly upset. 

They got into an argument. 

It really was a mess that he did not expect. Jayce found himself wandering around the exhibition before he had to make a speech, dropping by to see Councilor Mel Medarda – a sentinel with elemental manipulation – the official guardian of Piltover. 

She wanted Hextech technology to push Piltover’s innovations. 

Viktor refused to stand on stage with him for the speech. All the usual things. 

He was on his way back to the Academy lab to drop a few things off and hoping to catch Viktor there when he heard a loud noise. Jayce ran towards it without thinking. 

There was someone in his lab. Someone who should not be there. A slim figure gandering through his lab notes, shoving things into her sling bag. Vandalizing the walls with blue and pink graffiti and muttering to herself as she touched everything . 

“You should not be here.” Jayce warned. Stepping through to the middle of the floor.

A girl with blue hair whipped around to face him. Cocking a gun towards him. Eyes wild. Jayce instinctively held his hand up, backing up a few inches at the sight. “I don’t want any trouble. I’m Jayce Talis, the founder of Hextech.”

Jayce scanned the lab. No signs of Viktor. Hopefully his partner was curled up in bed back at his dorm. 

“I know who you are, Piltie,” the girl hissed.

“Then we don’t want any problems, right?” Jayce said, “What's your name? Let’s come to a compromise.”

This is the way he dies. A robbery gone wrong, caught at the wrong end of a gun. Jayce has so much left to give, so much more to do. To achieve. He climb this ladder he started on… he doesn’t want to die. He does not want to die. 

Jayce is spiraling. 

He heard a click. Somewhere behind him. A door latch opening.

He heard another click. This time in front where the blue haired girl unlatched the safety and was aiming the gun, 

“What is going on?” 

A voice. 

Viktor’s voice. 

It grounds him. If he cannot achieve all the things he wanted to, Viktor can. Viktor will continue the legacy for both of them. His partner needs to live.

“V, just close the door and walk out.” Jayce muttered, unable to tear his eyes away from the gun staring him down. 

He heard another click. The door closing, being locked. 

Jayce almost sighed in relief thinking that his partner had left as instructed but Viktor stepped in front of him.

No . 

Thin body leaning on his cane, panic rising in his throat like a hot coal. Adrenaline spiking in his blood as the girl shifted the gun point towards Viktor. Back to Jayce. Unable to decide who to harm first.

She could shoot them both. Jayce saw red, bloody red. Lump in his stomach coiling ugly.

“I know you.” Viktor hummed.

“I don’t.” the girl replied. Fingertips tightening and teeth bared. 

“Put the gun down.” Viktor said, casually. As if he was asking for the weather. 

Shakily, the blue haired girl did as told. Eyes glazed over for a fraction before becoming sharp again. She snarled “oh… okay. The three legged Zaunite turned into Piltie, I know you too.”

“How?” Viktor gritted out. 

There’s manic laughter. Resonating all through the lab like a wild echo bouncing off the walls. “Friends where you can’t see.”

Before Jayce could even blink, to parse the scene playing out before him the girl sprints. Bolted, and then she was behind him. Gun pressed against his spine. Having moved impossibly fast for his senses to catch up, feeling the cold metal grazing his back. 

She spun them both to face Viktor now. Hissing “does he know who you are?”

“Let him go.” Viktor gritted through his teeth, the girl yells over it, babbling nonsense sounds.

“Won’t work on me if I don’t hear you.” she purred. “At least that’s what my friends are telling me.”

His partner’s face darkened, grimacing. Viktor was pissed, livid. Furious in a way that he has never seen before. His voice coming out in a snarl, “you mean that is what the dead is saying to you?”

There is a frigid chill that settles. Jayce can see Viktor calculating in his head, eyes growing sharper. Chewing on the insides of his cheek like he does when he is solving a quandary in his head. 

After several drawn out breaths, Viktor asks, all too nonchalantly. “Are they saying anything else, perhaps how screwed you are in this situation?”

Jayce can feel the girl behind him tense. Holding her breath as Viktor continues on. Carelessly, “you are holding Jayce Talis hostage. Are you prepared to bring down Piltover’s force for Silco to handle?”

“Shut up” her voice is faltering.

“What kind of sentinel brings destruction so willingly upon her own kin.” Viktor keeps chiding, in that effortless calm manner. 

“You know nothing.” Now bordering hysteria. 

“I knew Vander. I hear he’s gone now, weren’t you supposed to take his place?”

She is hyperventilating. “Shut up, shut up. Shut. Up.”

Jayce can feel the charge in the air, a sentinel power surge. Suspension of reason, a hormonal disturbance and the disruptions in sensory procession to soon follow. Viktor is purposely trying to trigger this girl’s spike.

More calculations. Viktor is utterly focused on some logical series of events only he can see. The gun pointed on his spine moves erratically behind his back. 

Little mechanical clicks like it doesn’t know when it is going to shoot. Or where. And Jayce can feel his breath catch with each tiny movement like he could be dead. 

“Jayce duck, as low as you can.” Viktor sneers, and in the same breath says, “you really are a Jinx, aren’t you?”

Immediately as those words fall out of Viktor’s mouth Jayce finds himself crouched on the ground. Arms covering his hands, gunshots being fired above the air as Jinx shoots at nothing. Grunts and loud noise. Clattering of metal on metal, on concrete, on glass. 

“ Stop ” Viktor orders. 

And the gun shots stop. Silence.

Jayce looks up to see that there are smoke trails along the ceiling, some embedded into the walls. The girl is quaking. Her fingertips loosely rattling the gun, breath ragged.

Trembling, his eyes hold Viktor who looks wan, paler than his usual self. Brows furrowed in the way he does when Viktor is fighting off pain. White knuckled fists on his cane. 

Now Jayce is seeing white with fear. He runs towards Viktor, the girl running and hopping out of a window. 

The world collapsing on itself believing his lab partner has been shot. Jayce catches Viktor in his arms as he staggers, lowering him as gently as he can to the ground.

Viktor feels like ice. 

Closer, there is no blood. Only an unnatural coldness like corruption in a warmblooded body. 

Another type of realization settles, darker. Heavier in his gut.

“You… you’re a sentinel.” Jayce breathes out, Viktor in his arms, chest heaving with laboured breaths. The dream he had floods back. The guiding session, the asking of Jayce to forget. “And you really need help.”

Viktor is shivering in his arms. Convulsing. 

“I… I’m going to guide you okay?” Jayce can hear the shrill panic in his tone as his hands caress his partner’s cheek. Pooling his heat into Viktor. Holding him closer, foreheads touching. Praying.

“O-okay.” He hears Viktor breathe out, still trembling through clenched teeth. 

Guiding is done through touch. Closer proximity the stronger its effects. 

Viktor makes a half choked, half whimpering sound and Jayce freezes. Watching, observing his partner’s state of distress. Chest heaving, breathes coming sharp and rapid. 

He has read way too many instances of things going wrong for sentinels to be calm. Damage could be fatal if not addressed after a surge. But he has to be calm. For Viktor.

Exchanges of fluids enhance the effects of guiding. 

With that, Jayce presses his lips onto Viktor’s. Gently holding the back of his head, deepening the kiss as Viktor lets him. Everything feels ice cold, nearly frozen as he concentrates on sending heated breaths, warming Viktor up. 

Exchanges. Of. Fluids. 

Guiding can be, most of the time, sexual in nature.

There is only one thing on his mind. Everything else he can deal with later. Together.

Jayce picks Viktor up, the light, small thing he is, and sprints out onto the streets hailing for a taxi carriage. Giving the address of his home, Jayce nuzzles into Viktor’s all too frigid skin. There are plenty on the streets that Progress Day is nearing an end.

“Stay with me V, keep breathing.” Jayce trails his lips along the lower jawline, the delicate slope of the other’s neck. Desperate to fend off whatever Viktor is fighting alone. Planting kisses as he goes, hands holding Viktor in his embrace. Afraid to let go. 

Get somewhere safe. Somewhere private. Somewhere he can help Viktor. 

Back in his suite, the first thing Jayce does is loosen the uniform tie around Viktor’s neck. Undoing the buttons off his vest and shirt to let him breathe easier. Removing his shoes and socks. The shallow breaths still come too fast, lapping over itself and teeth chattering. 

“Viktor” Jayce leans in, kisses him on the forehead. Holding him against this face. He keeps repeating, almost as if to convince himself. “It’s going to be all right.” 

First thing as a guide is to engage in conversation. Keep checking in on the sentinel. A fundamental practice in safe guiding. Ask for consent. Track their capacity for rational thinking.

“How do you feel V, have you used your abilities to this point on the past?” He rubs himself against Viktor’s skin and and wraps him in his blankets. Jayce curses under his breath while desperately willing warmth into Viktor, still shivering. He doesn't know what he's supposed to do. 

Viktor is still barely responsive.

Fuck. 

He has never guided someone in this bad of a state before. Whatever had happened must have really taken it out of his partner. 

Guiding is considered a life saving procedure. They say unconsciousness means consent due to the medical nature of it. 

But Jayce feels it all too much. He cannot bring himself to… force himself onto Viktor. Not like this. Not their first intimate moments together. He needs to disengage. He needs to find Viktor help.

Perhaps this is where he needs to call a professional. Jayce slides off to leave but he is held back. Viktor clutching on his sleeve. “Stay…”

“I’m here V.” 

Jayce nuzzles into Viktor, small pecks along the neck and shoulders. Viktor’s gasping now, more conscious. He groans “Jayce.”

It’s not a question, Viktor is moaning his name, whispers “guide me. Please”

Jayce leans down to check Viktor's breathing. It is shallow but it's there. He blows his breath into Viktor and he stirs. “Okay. Sorry, you can yell at me later. I’m going to be a bit rough.” 

Kissing him, devouring his lips, open mouth, tongue. Viktor’s lips are cold but Jayce is a furnace. Biting down the lip, working their way to his tender neck. Sucking and biting the delicate skin, his focus honed in on every sound his partner is making.

Viktor lets out a small moan. Jayce’s hands roam over Viktor’s body, trying to rekindle the bloom of warmth. 

Toxins from over use of a sentinel ability seeping out. Jayce can feel the ice chipping away. Viktor’s heat is rising back up slowly. Probably too slow. 

A guide can pull the corruption from a sentinel’s body. Best done by releasing other forms of fluids, such as cum. 

Cold fingers twitch and it finds Jayce’s heated body, pulling him near. He kisses the frosty fingers one by one trying to bring warmth to them. Viktor’s voice is so quiet mixed with the clattering of teeth.

Viktor needs to come. 

Jayce kisses Viktor’s wrists, shoulders. Anywhere he can get his hands and lips on. Every inch, bringing life back to his partner’s chilly body. 

Viktor’s hands wrap around Jayce’s shoulder neck, for a tight embrace. 

Slowly, his hands work their way south. To Viktor’s pants. Hands caressing Viktor's body and finding his inner thigh. This instant overlapping with his dream — that may not be a dream — undoing the buckle and unzipping. 

Smelling like a snowstorm. Smelling like ice and frost. He hums into Viktor’s neck, “that wasn’t a dream, was it?”

“It wasn’t.” Viktor moans. 

His hands find Viktor’s cock, hard and needy. Below normal body temperature. Tenderly he pulls it free from the pants and boxers, sliding the rest of the clothing off fully.

Using the precum as lube, Jayce starts to massage the member, slowly. Lovingly. 

Viktor just buries his face into Jayce’s shoulder. Arms wrapped around his neck, embracing him closer. 

Rhythmically he strokes, full length. Drawing out whatever effects the over use of his senses have. The build up of corruption and toxins and exhaustion. Helping the sentinel find his climax. It doesn’t take long. Jayce is a fast learner and he remembers from last time. 

With a grunt, through clenched teeth Viktor moans and comes in his hand. Hugging, clinging tighter. Rubbing himself against Jayce’s body. Just enough to take the edge off. 

It’s the most enduring fucking thing he has ever seen in his life. He would be more ecstatic about it if Viktor wasn’t still leeching out coldness. “You’re going to be fine. Keep breathing, I’ll be here.”

Viktor’s eyes are honey soaked, the way he's looking up at Jayce. It is the most beautiful color. His voice is weak, still shivering at the edges. It’s a plea for help.

His partner needs more than this. Viktor has trusted him with this and Jayce will not stop short. 

Jayce wraps his fingers around Viktor’s throat, gently, and pulls him into a deep kiss. He ravages, and Viktor moans into his mouth. Nipping at the lips, Viktor shudders. Breath still unstable and laboured. 

With practiced movement, Jayce takes his own clothes off, and leans down on top of Viktor. Reaching over by the nightstand, rummaging through the mess and pulling out a small bottle of lube. 

Pouring out a generous amount, Jayce coats Viktor’s entrance with it, fingers rimming the home. Tossing it somewhere on the bed for later use. 

Pushing a finger in, and another. Watching Viktor squirm at the sensation. Stretching it out. The body beneath him compliant and so willing. Jayce is a but hastily but all he wants to do is guide Viktor back to safety, to health. To a normal.

He curls his fingers, Viktor gasps in response. With that all too shallow breaths from earlier. Telling himself to slow down, but not too slow to bring Viktor out of this state. Back to a regular temperature as fast as he can lest the corruption leaves permanent damage. Slow down to accommodate Viktor.

He coats himself with a bit more of the lube. Grabbing the bottle from where he tossed it earlier. Pushing in. Viktor’s whole body tenses, with an audible gasp, fingers digging into the blanket.

Never has he once discussed sex with his business partner. By design since he stayed clear of topics that triggered a possessive jealousy over Viktor. A harmless crush but the sting of knowing still is a sting.

Jayce has no idea the level of intimacy Viktor has experience with but if he recalls correctly it sounded as if Viktor has never had a guiding session before. 

Hence, Jayce holds himself still, letting the other man grow accustomed. Pushing in micro movement, adjusting. Slowly like thick syrup pouring. Taking his time to insert fully to the hilt. Shifting his pheromones to calm Viktor down.

He kisses Viktor with encouragement and Viktor immediately opens up for him. Melting for him. 

When Viktor’s body is relaxed somewhat, Jayce starts moving, slowly and tenderly to allow Viktor to get used to him. He listens to every little sound Viktor makes, and he can hear how precious the small breathy moans are.

Memorizing Viktor’s expression as it shifts from pain to pleasure with each languid stroke. It’s a sight he will keep with him, cherish forever.  

Jayce hooks both legs in his arms to spread them wider. Taking extra care on the weaker leg to alleviate the pressure. Changing the angle to be able to go deeper. Viktor moans out loud, arching his back. 

It’s like the world outside falls apart, and all there is, is Viktor. His senses honed and hyper-keyed into this moment. 

It’s all he can see. All he can feel .

Bringing Viktor’s leg higher, over his shoulder he kisses the slender calves, the delicate ankle. Eyes pinned on Viktor as he moves. Liquid smooth strokes, keeping up a steady pace. 

His control starts to wan thin, as the heat starts to amplify. Building in his lower abdomen, needing a release. Leaning down, he thrusts harder now. Holding the slender waist steady. 

Viktor keens as it fills him. Full length now Jayce rocks his hips in and out, from tip to root. Much more responsive and starting to develop a faint pink flush on his creamy skin. A delicate shade of shy red on the tips of his ears. Shuddering in a way that’s different from the earlier shivering. 

Moaning and gasping and sighing from it all. Nearly sobbing from the increasing pace and force. Letting him in.

Wanting to catch it, Jayce leans down. Kisses Viktor on the tips of his ears, the temples, on the corners of his eyes pooling with tears. Fucking. 

The bed creaks and squeaks in protest. 

Viktor screams into his mouth. Coming for him.

The sentinel is now warmer, growing hotter as he shares his passion. His heat, his pheromones. A layer of sheen sweet so beautifully glowing. The guide session bringing him back from the brink of a catatonic state.

Instinctively, he knows Viktor is better now. But Jayce is a perfectionist. He wants to take Viktor over the edge, deeper and higher. 

He grabs Viktor’s cock in his hand, half hard but not fully erect and massages it back to peak. Stroking in time with his thrusts, teasing. Viktor trembles and makes cut off gasps, moans coming over one another. Holding his breath in between like the stimulation is too much. 

Jayce soothes, praising his partner. Although his voice comes out as a growl. Rumbling low as he groans out in pleasure too. “You’re doing so good V” a low moan “so beautiful.”

He is close. And he wants to bring Viktor to climax with him. 

His rhythm breaks, erratic as he snaps his hips more in than out, sinking deeper and deeper into his partner. His hands also stroke faster, coaxing another orgasm out.

Viktor is so responsive, biting down onto his shoulder, trembling. Screaming, swallowing back the moans as he tosses his head back. Open mouthed and gasping. 

His partner comes, ropes of cum releasing onto his stomach, Jayce’s hand. 

Jayce comes too, shortly after. Pulling out last second. Releasing his load, shotgunning it onto Viktor’s already drenched body. Sticky and marked. And belonging to him.

Falling on top, Jayce cuddles Viktor into himself. Wrapping his arms around. The sentinel’s breathing is much more stable, slowed and deep. His complexion is much better now, skin dewy and warm.

Kissing Viktor’s forehead, Jayce hums,“sleep. You must be exhausted."

Viktor nods already half way deep into slumber. 

Tomorrow, they’ll talk about it all. Clear headed and not naked. 

Tomorrow, they’ll discuss logistics. Getting Viktor registered, about the blue haired girl in their lab. About how Viktor saved his life.

Tomorrow. 

VIktor whispers back, in a low voice low and calm, “Sleep in tomorrow. And when you awake, forget that I am a sentinel.”

“I don’t want that,” Jayce manages to mumble.

“It’s for the best, I promise. Sleep now, and thank you.”

Jayce drifts off to a heavy slumber that he cannot fight off. 

Chapter Text

Viktor woke feeling completely and utterly renewed. Refreshed and ready to start the day. Rolling over to the side where Jayce was, sleeping peacefully. Normally it is Viktor who sleeps in and Jayce a morning lark but after his command Jayce is most likely to sleep in till at least late morning. 

That gives him some time to clean up and wipe out traces of – definitely not sex and entirely professional – guiding session.

Words can be tricky to manage, always up for interpretation but the whole forget that I am a sentinel part should be enough for Jayce’s brain to fill in the blanks. There was too much happening last night for it to be completely forgotten. 

The things with Jinx and the bullet holes in their lab being substantial evidence.

Truly, what a whole lot of mess. 

Viktor hops into the shower, his usual aching leg strong enough to support his gait without the additional use of his cane or crutch. Wondering if that physical damage was a part of his refusal to get a guide long after his abilities manifested. Or the lack of understanding that he was a sentinel as a young child, well into his teenage years. 

As the hot water caress his skin, all he can feel is Jayce. 

Jayce’s hands on his body, lips tracing every line. The tingles and electric sparks that kept grounding him to reality, tethering him down through the icy cold he was stuck in. 

It took way too much out of him to control the other sentinel. The aftermath feeling as if he was weighed down, collared at the bottom of a frozen lake. Unable to move, breathe. Limbs and lungs and mind failing him. 

When he steps out, toweling the last droplets of water from his hair, Jayce is fully awake and moving. Boiling water for tea in the kitchen area.

“Viktor?” Jayce’s eyes widen and settle into relief. “I thought you left.”

“No, just… showering. I assumed it was fine since I’ve used it before.” It’s true. He has crashed here on the couch more times than he would like to admit. Also under very professional circumstances, relating to Hextech.

“Oh yeah, of course. Do you want coffee?”

“Thank you.” Viktor says, taking a seat in the living room where he can still see Jayce. Casually he asks, “I thought you would sleep in.”

“Oh, I did. I’m usually up by five and it’s well past eight in the morning.” Jayce replies, taking out another mug from the cupboards. Pouring out some coffee and adding a dash of sweetmilk. There’s always some around in Jayce’s fridge for Viktor. “Do you want breakfast? I’m making oatmeal.”

How could he have forgotten that Jayce was a sadistic being who wakes with the sunrise. Viktor smiles to himself. “No, the coffee is just fine.”

Handing the mug over, he quickly returns back to bring back his mug of tea and bowl of oatmeal. Topped with berries and a dollop of greek yogurt. 

Sitting down across from Viktor, Jayce lets out a half hearted laugh, “we should probably discuss what happened yesterday, right?”

Viktor takes a sip of his coffee.

“So you’re an unregistered sentinel?” Jayce asks, in between spoonfuls of breakfast.

Viktor almost spits out his whole mouth full, coughing and choking out in utter shock. The liquid burning down his throat. 

Choosing his words carefully, Viktor puts the cup down, unable to look up. “I thought I asked you to forget that.”

“I wouldn’t say you asked, per se”

When Viktor works up the courage to make eye contact with Jayce, his partner is half smiling. Light, not a trace of anger or betrayal in his expression.

“Did it not work on you?” Viktor asks, taking a deep inhale. 

“It worked.” Jayce says, “well, sort of. I thought it was a dream. I knew the whole break in at the lab was real when I heard you in the shower but I thought I dreamt you being a sentinel… and… and the guiding session.”

His partner pauses, like he is remembering the moments from last night. Viktor can feel a small flush form on his face as he recalls too.

Jayce continues, “but you know I can feel my body. Guiding relieves something, like a discharge of pent up energy. You can’t wipe that apparently."

With a sigh, Viktor asks, “are you upset?”

“No. But I think I deserve an explanation.”

Just then a message tube arrived with a thunk. Both turning their heads at it, then glancing nervously at each other. 

With a shrug, Jayce walked up to it and read the message out loud. It was from the Council, demanding their presence at an urgent meeting. 

“They probably want to talk about the break in at the lab.” Jayce massages his temples. 

“You go ahead.”

“I think you should be there, V.”

Viktor could have used his compliance trigger then, feeling significantly healthier after the two guiding sessions. But he hates the idea of stripping people of their freedom. To be honest, he feels a bit guilty now that he has tried to use it on Jayce these recent times. 

As an offering Viktor says, “okay.”

“We’ll take the carriage.”

The Council is already seated and present when they enter the chamber. Two chairs left out for them to sit. Viktor takes his place and listens as they explain how the loss of a Hexgem is detrimental. 

How Zaun is acting up. How several enforcers have been hospitalized. Some have died.

How the criminal activity has gotten out of hand. 

How the Piltover lifestyle is being threatened. 

Gritting his teeth that they have the audacity to speak in such ways about Zaun when it was them who pushed the city in a corner. 

“We believe there was a sentinel spike in the area. Our prime suspect is Jinx, although there were traces of unidentified energy according to the analysis.” Mel says.

And Viktor immediately jolts back into the present. A cold creeps down his spice as he tries to rein in his fear. The anxiety. 

He is about to say something when Jayce stands up. Holding a hand out to reassure Viktor. 

Sitting back down he studies Jayce, focusing all his attention in case he has to wipe out the memories of the Council. 

Mel is a sentinel. Cassandra is a guide. 

Other than that, he doesn’t know who else is a sentinel. There are several on the Council. He really should have prepared better. 

“It was my responsibility to safeguard this technology and I failed. My mistake cost people their lives.” Jayce wants to shut down the gates. He is steering the topic away from the unknown sentinel. 

More commotions arise, the fat bloated Councilors concerned about shipping wine and nuts and goods. The economy. The employment rates.

Mel proposes that Jayce joins the Council. “It would be great to have another guide on the Council, and with intimate knowledge of Hextech I believe you will be a great fit.”

He is voted in. 

The meeting adjourns. 

Back in the carriage Viktor is expecting to be dropped off at the lab. But Jayce suggests otherwise, “I think the lab will be overrun with enforcers and probably the Order to track down the unknown sentinel.”

“I’m happy to head back to the dorm then.”

“Let’s… go to my place. We should talk, and it’s not something we should speak out in public about.” There is a subtle tone of protectiveness in Jayce’s voice. 

A protectiveness that Viktor doesn’t hate. 

Viktor nods. Massaging his thigh mindlessly through the carriage ride back. Running simulations in his head about how the conversation will go. The familiar dull throbbing slowly creeping its way back in. 

“Hey V, we’re here”

“What?” Viktor had to snap out of his computations. 

“Let’s get upstairs.” Jayce hums, reaching out a hand.

Viktor took it, the warm heat from his palm transferring directly into his. The cozy flutters instantly soothing out the small aches. He could really get used to this… this, this addiction.

Shocked, Viktor let go. Shuffling away briskly and making his way into business partner’s home.

Unable to face the pain in Jayce’s eyes when he refused.

“Do you want coffee?” Jayce asked, watching Viktor seat himself down on the couch. A common routine between them, having been working together for years now. 

“No thank you.”

“Then a drink. To celebrate, or to ease whatever direction this talk is going to go.” Jayce pours himself a glass of gin, cracking open a can of tonic. Topping off his glass.

Viktor reluctantly agreed.  

Handing a glass to Viktor, Jayce pulled up a spare lounge chair in front of Viktor. Seating himself directly across. Waiting for Viktor to begin. 

Taking a sip Viktor says, “congratulations on making Councilor.”

“Thank you.” 

“Why did you not out me as a sentinel?” Viktor asked, the one burning question in his mind. He looks down at the floor, waiting to hear some accusation.

“Because you have a banned ability.” Jayce replies. Matter of fact.

Snapping his head up to his business partner, Viktor observes ever tiny detail in Jayce’s face. Scrutizing over each microexpression. 

“Okay, you don’t have to stare.” Jayce smiles, coyly, “give me some credit. I can connect the dots too.”

Viktor smirks. Of course Jayce Talis, the perfect business partner, has figured it out. He has forgotten what it was like to be working in tandem with Jayce. Their minds working in sync even when communication was sparse. The brilliant radiant man he was.

Then with a sigh, he explains how he never even know that he was a sentinel until he came over to Piltover as a young adult. How the ability had eaten right through him and only when he was more healthy it started to solidify. 

How he believes he has gotten a heightened ability to make sense of the logical world, the physics and metaphysics of it all. 

How he has been using it to work out kinks in their Hextech calculations. 

Jayce listens, polishing off his glass. Carefully, with consideration and time and attention. Parsing the information and nodding along. After the monologue, Jayce asks “so I have been benefiting off your abilities all this time?”

“Well, my Jayce. You are doing half the work.”

“Loosely.” His business partner jokes.

Viktor lets out a small chuckle, allowing himself to feel relief. To feel the weight of a secret off his chest and to have his confidant be Jayce. 

“If I have been benefitting of you, I think it’s only fair you also get to use me.” Jayce shrugs. 

“I have already gained so much from our partnership.”

“No, I mean use me V.” Jayce blinks, eyes vulnerable. Inquiring.

It takes a breath for Viktor to comprehend what Jayce is saying. Stiffening at the idea, “guiding sessions?” He shakes his head, “no that is too much for me to ask.”

“I want to.” There is a certain fire in Jayce’s tone. The way he gets when he is set on something. Stern and unyielding in his conviction. “It will benefit everyone – me, you and Hextech.”

Viktor looks down at the glass he has been nursing during the talk. Half still remaining. He gulps it down. Swallowing his rampaging heartbeats down, the tingling butterflies in his stomach. The want. “Deal.”

Chapter Text

“It’s time for your guiding session.” Jayce crosses his arms, swallowing back the flooding of words that he wants to say. He is in a bit of a rush, having been invited to a theatre for some political agenda dressed as a fine social event at the Academy. Initially he thought about inviting Viktor but he knows that will lead into another petty squabble.

It’s been a couple of weeks since Jayce has become Councilor and honestly that has put a wrench in their relationship for reasons he does not understand. 

Viktor all but practically rolls his eyes as he pushes the desk and stands up from the stool he has been sitting on. “Let’s make it quick.”

Jayce has no idea where things went this bad, it was all good intentions in the beginning. He genuinely wanted to help. Viktor genuinely needed it too. Feeling defensive, Jayce grunts back “Fine by me. I need to head to an event.”

He can see the immediate hesitation on Viktor’s face and already knows the words that are going to come out of his mouth, “we can hold off till next week.”

“You said that last week.” Jayce sighs.

Without eye contact, Viktor undoes his belt and the zippers of his slacks. Eyes fixed on some notes he had been writing before. 

“Ready?” Jayce stalks a little closer. Hands reaching out and embracing the other man’s thin frame. 

Viktor nods. Bracing himself by putting his hands along the edge of the work desk.

There is no art to it, Jayce does what they have done now a handful of times before. Finding Viktor’s cock and stroking it awake. Viktor lets out a long exhale as he leans into the guiding session.

Jayce can feel the pent up energy, the charge that needs to be dispelled immediately. The fatigue in Viktor’s already small body rendering him smaller. 

Breathing in his partner’s scent Jayce assesses how far he should go. And decides he needs to go all the way, for scientific purposes. 

He doesn’t tell Viktor that quite yet as he pumps a few rhythmic strokes along his partner’s cock. Letting it tense, and release into his palm. 

Viktor pants a few small gasps, orienting himself. Jayce whispers into his ear, “I’m going to stretch you out, I think you can do with a bit more.”

Expecting protests, Jayce rubs at Viktor’s hole with the cum. Teasing. 

When Viktor says nothing and spreads his legs, leaning into the finger, Jayce wonders if he had been too negligent these past few weeks. 

It was an agreement that they were supposed to have one guiding session a week. Something non-intense, some cuddling sessions or soft touching. But their schedules have been misaligned ever since that incident at the Piltover Bridge. 

They had been invited to a stakeholder event. Heimerdinger was adamant that both of them show face, and Viktor had agreed to go. The consistent guiding session worked a better health as well as better mood into him. And Jayce obviously agreed without a second thought. 

Viktor had been working on some new experiments with the Hexgems and wanted to show the potential stakeholders a possibility. Jayce, had been working the political side of things and invited a bunch of potential Hextech partners.

It seemed like they were a well-oiled machine once more. 

Until Jayce had ordered a barricade over the bridge, inhibiting Zaunites from entering Piltover. They really had no reason to enter but they had revolted against it nonetheless. He was mostly unaware of the bubbling vat of violence until he received an urgent  message tube from Marcus. 

They had briefly argued on the bridge. Jayce knew he stepped over the line when Viktor had to… remind him that he too, was from the Undercity. He did quickly apologize but back in the lab the coldness continued. 

Jayce had tried to let it slide, let the emotions boil over. He really did. Walking on egg shells and being wildly apologetic towards his business partner. Until Jayce exploded once more, “why are you giving me the silent treatment?”

“You ordered a barricade on my home. Those are my people.” Viktor stated, a hint of irritation in his tone. 

“No, Piltover is your people. The Academy is your people. You belong here.”

“I am a Zaunite by birth.”

“It’s not like they’re a part of your Sentinel protection. I did what I had to to shield Piltover.” As soon as those words left Jayce’s mouth he knew he hit the root of the problem. He could see it in Viktor’s face, the steeled eyes and the disapproving frown. Jayce took a sharp inhale, “you can’t possibly think they are under your protection, V…?

“It’s not like they have anyone.”

“They have Jinx. And whoever else, the whole Firelights gang. She’s rioting and cursing chaos for us. She killed multiple enforcers and injured how many more – she stole our work”

Viktor is silent. 

Silently judging him.

“Viktor, I am a councilor now, it is my duty to guard Piltover. And you, my counterpart, are a part of my domain of things to shield.”

“Counterpart?”

Shit. Did he really use that word?

“You know what I mean.” Jayce tries to brush it off. A slip in a heated moment.

“No, I don’t.” Viktor stares back, steady. 

“Business partners, Hextech. You know.”

“Counterpart. As in we are complement pairs.” Viktor says again, challenging. The daggers in his eyes daring him to continue. “Since when were we such things, Jayce?”

Were they really going to have this conversation, now?

Counterparts were two halves of one whole. A guide and an esper meant to be together. In sync. Genetically paired. 

Jayce had felt the compatibility from the beginning. It was the only logical reason on why he felt such an intense desire for Viktor. He had believed Viktor felt the same, from the little comments and the overprotectiveness he occasionally showed whenever a stranger would flirt with him at social events. 

But he had to know. It was driving him insane without an actual proof of the two of them being complements for each other. 

Information is what Jayce obsesses over. The missing gaps of knowledge is the bane of his existence. He craves to know everything and anything about his hyperfixations – hence the whole Arcane ordeal with the banned experiments. 

They had always led him to good, great even. Such as meeting Viktor and the success of Hextech. The success of Piltover and his house Talis. 

It was probably a wrong call to try and sweep it under the metaphorical rug, still Jayce tried “It didn’t mean anything. I am just worked up a little.”

“You would not be using such terminology unless you were absolutely certain behind a shadow of doubt.” Viktor knows him well. Afterall, they have been business partners for the majority of the past decade.

Afterall they were built for one another. Generically designed for each other.

Jayce swallows, preparing himself. Then in as calm, matter-of-fact voice there is, he explains “I had someone run a sample of our DNA’s together to check for compatibility. It came back as we are 99.8% accurate. Well into the threshold for being classified as complements of each other.”

He studies Viktor for any signs of emotions. Even the smallest microexpression, the slightest angle of his head, the tiny furrow in his brow. The change in ambience. 

“And how did you obtain this DNA sample?” Viktor asks. Blank. Utterly blank.

“I promise it has not been put on the system. They have no traces of you recorded, I asked for a favor. Councilor privileges.” Jayce rambles a little. 

“One less thing to worry about. But that is not the answer to my inquiry.”

“You leave traces of yourself all over my place after guiding sessions. It wasn’t hard.” There is a lump in Jayce’s throat. He continues as if it isn’t there. “At least we now know that it’s supposed to be me and you?”

“Me and you against, what, Jayce?”

The void, a rift that is created when sentinels lose control. The dangers of loose canon sentinels like Jinx. The hindrances to advancement of progress. Practically the world. 

Jayce shrugs. Offering an apologetic smile, feeling guilty that he went without Viktor’s knowledge to test this. Feeling guilty that he feels relieved that the secret is out. 

There is a deafening silence that follows. Jayce can hear his heartbeat in his ears. Drumming away too loud to be contained. 

“That was not consensual.” Viktor states, cutting through the thick air that settled between them. 

“I know. I am sorry, I should have asked.” 

“Well then.” Viktor sighs. 

Jayce waits. Because he knows there is a but coming. 

And there is, Viktor says “I think we need to set some boundaries.” 

So he stares back, blinking. Feeling like he is missing something, but again, it is a valid request. Jayce did act out of his own accord. His guide urges aside, “What do you suggest?”

“First, the frequency.” Viktor starts, and suggests “once a month?”

Jayce frowns. Listening until Viktor finishes his side of the speech. Making a mental note to refute that one later. They have been in constant proximity with each other, Jayce being extra handsy when the two of them are alone in the lab. They fuck frequently, perhaps several times a week or day depending on their stress level. 

“Second, I think there needs to be some hard rules. The sessions will happen here, or at my place and we will clean – thoroughly – afterwards.” 

Jayce nods. He hates the idea of it, but again, kind of fair. They can work on their relationship and develop it into something rather than force it. 

“And there will be no love making. We are getting too intimate and too familiar with each other.”

To that, he instantly is livid. He shoots up from the chair he was sitting in and starts pacing. A jittery habit he does when he is figuring things out. “What?” 

“No intimacy.”

“What does that even mean? We’re sleeping together.”

“No. We’re doing guiding sessions. I intend to not get those mixed up.”

“So, like no kissing and holding hands, no getting dinner together or like we fuck through a sheet with a hole in it?”

“Preferably the first part.” Viktor shrugs. As if he does not particularly care either way.

It feels all to surgical. Like Viktor is already emotionally shut down. 

“I… don’t know if I can agree to that.” Jayce perches himself on the desk. Heart wringing itself, like it's ready to crack. 

He loves Viktor. Has for a while, a long while before the sessions and finding out they were designed together. Jayce was writing himself a fantasy where they end up… well, together. As something more. 

“Then we stop all together.” Viktor sneers, showing a little venom. He is pissed, clearly emotional underneath the mask.

“You’re going to need guiding sessions.” Jayce manages to say, his heart forgetting how to beat. Just a heavy weight crushing his chest in.

“I never said anything about not getting guiding sessions.” 

And that breaks Jayce’s heart in two. His chest caves. “Viktor…”

“These are my terms for now. Until we can decide how to proceed in an amicable manner with trust.”

Trust.

He never meant to challenge it. 

Jayce’s world goes dark. Like his senses have stopped working and is only mimicking itself. He is seeing but not seeing, hearing but not hearing. Breathing without air. Viktor’s beautiful face, the set lines in his jaw, a clenched fist. The harshness of his expression.

“We’re partners…”

Viktor says nothing.

“We’re… designed for each other.”

The silence drawls on. 

Something has sucked all the air out of the room. Perhaps he is the only one who feels the connection as sharply.

“Fine. Once a week I will assess your levels and it will be strictly professional from now on.” Jayce storms off, needing to think. Leaving Viktor in the lab by himself. 

He has things to do. Councilor work, the Piltover bridge barricade logistics to clean up. Paperwork. Some more shit he is forgetting. 

He has shit to do and this is not one he can waste his time on. He will give Viktor this for now. There is no point wasting more time on this dead end conversation.

And since, they have been walking around each other. 

Jayce is more often than not, in his Councilor office at the Tower. 

Viktor does whatever he does in the lab. 

They barely talk and Jayce checks in with Viktor once a week. The last two weeks, Viktor refused the guiding sessions and so Jayce kept his distance.

But the toxins have clearly built up, from the way Viktor is leaning more on his crutch, the heavy sets of lilac bags under his eyes. The lacklustre skin and mild coughing fits. 

Teasing and stretching Viktor open, memorizing the little shudders as he pleases. Pinned down under him, bent over the work desk. 

Jayce can feel his heart break a little. He wants to lick and kiss the scattering of beauty marks on Viktor. He wants to wrap his arms around, be entangled together in heated limbs. 

But that is not the deal they have.

So he is a little detached, purposely rough when he shoves his aching cock in. Not allowing Viktor to adjust, and starts rocking his hips in. 

Viktor tenses under him and Jayce thinks the pain of having to adjust might be a little too much given his partner’s health state — wants to kiss it better and whisper compliments — and does not. 

Cannot.

Jayce pins Viktor’s body against the desk and angles himself deeper. Biting back the words that threaten to tumble out of his mouth. 

Listening to Viktor’s moans go from pain to pleasure to want. The little gasps and shaking. The delicate pink flush on his nape, the bright reds of the tip of his ears. 

Jayce wants to tell Viktor that he is his, and he belongs to him. To each other. Mind, body and soul. He wants to devote himself, commit and write his marks onto Viktor’s skin. 

Viktor is trembling now, sobs through clenched teeth as he lets Jayce keep up the punishing pace. 

He wants to hold those gasps in his mouth, kiss them, to taste them. Claim them as his. But he does not because that was one of the things they agreed on: no kissing. A rule that Viktor suggested, for whatever his intelligent sentinel mind has deduced, it was deemed too intimate. 

Instead, Jayce is a little mean about it. Thrusting in deeper, snaking his hand up to Viktor’s throat and gripping them a little tighter. Choking back the moans as he shudders from the sudden construction on his airway.

The other hand is digging into Viktor’s slender hips, hard enough to bruise. It’s his way of going about another rule listed out between them; no marking. 

Jayce doesn’t leave any traces with his lips, but he feigns ignorance when he gets a little rough and leaves fingerprint bruises on the ivory skin. Releasing his pheromones to aid in the stimulation.  

Rocking his hips, the work desk they are bent over creaking with each punishing hit. There is a growing need to claim his business partner that is not entirely innocent any longer.

“J-Jayce” Viktor manages to gasp out, trembling in his arms. 

He leans into Viktor’s nape, careful not to physically make contact. A ghost of one. Breathing into the sweat sheen skin. “Just a bit longer.” 

Only when Viktor is keening like this, he lets Jayce do the things lovers do. Not that they are lovers, but guiding sessions mirror it so closely that Jayce pretends that they are making love. 

Viktor screams as he fucks harder, coming. Dragging his cock full length and bullying his way back in. He knows which positions drive Viktor the hardest to come, and the quicker he can get him there the faster this can be over with. 

Because as much as he wants to drag this moment on, it always gets harder to reign in his emotions afterwards. 

He fucks, deep. Pushing all the way in and further before pulling out almost the full length and slamming back in. He is close enough that the movements are erratic and Viktor is shaking. So precious, in his arms. 

And he finishes inside Viktor. 

The cleaning up is almost clinical. The precious movements to fit back into the clothes. Their practiced mannerisms without eye contact, without saying much important things. 

Jayce says, “I’m probably going to be busy for the next little while. Try not to push yourself.”

It’s the closest he lets himself show concern for his partner. 

“Of course. Do not worry about me.” Viktor replies. 

And Jayce is not sure if Viktor is using his compliance abilities or not on him. He worries all the same.