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(( ooc: after this. ))
[ Just from that message, Jayce knew that Viktor wouldn't have his Leaf and he abandoned his work, unsorted, unfinished, to scale stairs all the way up to where he knew his partner would be.
Lowering himself down stiffly, Jayce hung his legs over the edge with a soft exhale. ]
Talk to me, Vitya, [ he murmured, gaze fixed on his partner and not the view. ]
[ Just from that message, Jayce knew that Viktor wouldn't have his Leaf and he abandoned his work, unsorted, unfinished, to scale stairs all the way up to where he knew his partner would be.
Lowering himself down stiffly, Jayce hung his legs over the edge with a soft exhale. ]
Talk to me, Vitya, [ he murmured, gaze fixed on his partner and not the view. ]
Edited 2025-04-01 23:32 (UTC)
[ Maybe he should have felt guilty for reacting so strongly, or for disappearing, but the only thing in Viktor's mind was the haunted look on Jayce's face when they first arrived. He still knew so little about what happened in that dark future, but —
Footsteps. That name. Viktor relaxed just a bit, but he didn't look at Jayce quite yet. ]
They will pressure you. [ He was frowning, staring straight ahead. ] You can't escape it, Jayce. Even if you believe you can resist, the temptation won't disappear.
Footsteps. That name. Viktor relaxed just a bit, but he didn't look at Jayce quite yet. ]
They will pressure you. [ He was frowning, staring straight ahead. ] You can't escape it, Jayce. Even if you believe you can resist, the temptation won't disappear.
I know. [ Jayce exhales softly, eyes tracing the line of Viktor's profile. ] I...
[ It shouldn't be so hard. Viktor had seen the blueprints; he must have, that day in the lab, before he left him standing alone in the only place that felt like home. ]
They will, and I might break again. I know that. [ Jayce already felt the pressure on all sides bearing down on him, the burden of expectation, and there were already faultlines in the bedrock of his resolve. Finally, Jayce looks away and down at his own hands, rough and calloused and bloody. ] What other options do I have?
[ It shouldn't be so hard. Viktor had seen the blueprints; he must have, that day in the lab, before he left him standing alone in the only place that felt like home. ]
They will, and I might break again. I know that. [ Jayce already felt the pressure on all sides bearing down on him, the burden of expectation, and there were already faultlines in the bedrock of his resolve. Finally, Jayce looks away and down at his own hands, rough and calloused and bloody. ] What other options do I have?
[ Viktor was quiet for a long moment, his heart aching to hear the conflict in Jayce's voice. He'd suffered so much, and still, he was being tested. Would there be no end to senseless violence wherever they went? Would Jayce always be asked to use his talents for death and destruction?
Sliding his hand over his partner's, Viktor squeezed gently. This time, he was looking at him. ] You have me. [ It was simply stated, but full of warmth and confidence, and maybe a hint of frustration. ]
We shut each other out before. [ He searched his face, his own eyes shifting between gray and pink. ] We can't do that again.
Sliding his hand over his partner's, Viktor squeezed gently. This time, he was looking at him. ] You have me. [ It was simply stated, but full of warmth and confidence, and maybe a hint of frustration. ]
We shut each other out before. [ He searched his face, his own eyes shifting between gray and pink. ] We can't do that again.
[ Instantly, he laces their fingers together, holding Viktor's hand like a lifeline. Jayce doesn't look up right away, eyes fixed on their hands, but they do, eventually, lift to hold his partner's. ]
All I want is to protect you, Vitya. [ Jayce's tone is certain but soft. Exhaling shakily, he leans into his space. ] I'm not shutting you out. [ He squeezes Viktor's hand. ] I just need you to talk to me. What are you thinking about? It's more than just these people taking advantage of me.
All I want is to protect you, Vitya. [ Jayce's tone is certain but soft. Exhaling shakily, he leans into his space. ] I'm not shutting you out. [ He squeezes Viktor's hand. ] I just need you to talk to me. What are you thinking about? It's more than just these people taking advantage of me.
[ Viktor inhaled sharply as if to interject, but he held his tongue. This wasn't the time to let his pride get in the way of their conversation. It was a significant step for Viktor, who had always been argumentative even on a good day.
So he focused on their hands, threading their fingers together and leaning his cheek against Jayce's arm. ] It's all of it, [ he murmured, voice sounding tired and defeated. ] The ceaseless cycle of violence. When does it end? And do I even have a right to speak against it?
[ Knowing all his hopes and dreams for Zaun had turned into the one thing he despised ... Viktor was glad he didn't need sleep anymore. It spared him of nightmares. ]
So he focused on their hands, threading their fingers together and leaning his cheek against Jayce's arm. ] It's all of it, [ he murmured, voice sounding tired and defeated. ] The ceaseless cycle of violence. When does it end? And do I even have a right to speak against it?
[ Knowing all his hopes and dreams for Zaun had turned into the one thing he despised ... Viktor was glad he didn't need sleep anymore. It spared him of nightmares. ]
Edited 2025-04-02 23:30 (UTC)
[ Features softening, Jayce's eyes move over Viktor's face and he knows what that inhale means and though he steels himself for argument, there's a fondness in his expression. He's missed this, as strange as that sounds. But Viktor doesn't launch into an argument and Jayce just leans down to press a kiss to the top of his head and then rests his cheek there, squeezing his hand. ]
Vitya. [ His voice is gentle. ] Of course you do.
[ Jayce wishes he knew the answer about breaking that cycle. He just feels broken by it. ] I don't know, [ he says truthfully. ] I don't know how to break it, but we can try.
Vitya. [ His voice is gentle. ] Of course you do.
[ Jayce wishes he knew the answer about breaking that cycle. He just feels broken by it. ] I don't know, [ he says truthfully. ] I don't know how to break it, but we can try.
I don't believe that. [ There was a firmness in his voice, but it was the sort of tone he tended to take when he was open to eventually changing his mind. It helped to sink a bit further against his partner's side, ever turned toward him, like a flower to the sun.
For a long moment, though, Viktor sat like that with him, quiet and contemplative, but mostly just soaking up his warmth. ] Is this our fight? [ He didn't know. ] Or do we protect and preserve who we can?
For a long moment, though, Viktor sat like that with him, quiet and contemplative, but mostly just soaking up his warmth. ] Is this our fight? [ He didn't know. ] Or do we protect and preserve who we can?
Why? [ Jayce's tone was patient and encouraging, and he combed his fingers through Viktor's hair, massaging his scalp.
As the silence dragged out, Jayce just tugged him closer. His hand caressed Viktor's spine. ] If it threatens you, or Cait, it's mine. [ It was just that simple. Jayce would fight, would die, for them if he needed to. He didn't want to have to go to war, but he would. Jayce would do anything for them. ] We can't sit by and do nothing, Vitya, but we can protect this place and these people if we need to. You are always my priority. You and Cait.
As the silence dragged out, Jayce just tugged him closer. His hand caressed Viktor's spine. ] If it threatens you, or Cait, it's mine. [ It was just that simple. Jayce would fight, would die, for them if he needed to. He didn't want to have to go to war, but he would. Jayce would do anything for them. ] We can't sit by and do nothing, Vitya, but we can protect this place and these people if we need to. You are always my priority. You and Cait.
There were forty-two people living in the commune. [ There was a waver in his voice. ] Forty-two, Jayce. Families. Elderly. Children. [ His voice cracked. Viktor pushed himself to keep speaking anyway, a fury and hopelessness rising up in him. ] How could I do that to them? After everything I promised? What happened to me? [ And could it happen again?
He let the resulting silence lapse. That anger still simmered in him, but it was subsiding a little the longer Jayce stayed. Shaking his head a little, Viktor finally added, ] I need to protect them from myself. I am the threat.
[ And that was really where his concerns lay. With Viktor, sometimes you needed to wait for him to eventually clear out all the other variables before arriving at the heart of the problem. ]
He let the resulting silence lapse. That anger still simmered in him, but it was subsiding a little the longer Jayce stayed. Shaking his head a little, Viktor finally added, ] I need to protect them from myself. I am the threat.
[ And that was really where his concerns lay. With Viktor, sometimes you needed to wait for him to eventually clear out all the other variables before arriving at the heart of the problem. ]
[ There were times that Jayce wished he had been able to stop and appreciate what Viktor had built. His mind had been fractured, his thoughts all circling the same horrible truth the mage had offered him with sad eyes and gentle hands; the reality that their dream had started to unravel the world. Hextech wasn't the miracle they had once wanted it to be.
But Viktor had tried to make something beautiful with it, and Jayce had torn it apart without ever really looking at it, and that haunted him even now. It likely always would. ]
Vitya. [ Jayce's voice was low, soothing, not an interjection but a crutch. He wanted his partner to lean on him, to take his strength for his own. I'm here, he said. I'm right here. ]
It wasn't you. [ That Jayce knew. Hearing that Viktor thought himself a threat was like a knife in his ribs, and he pressed another kiss to the top of his head. ] It was the general. Ambessa. [ The name was coated in venom. ] She wanted an army. I don't— [ His own voice cracked, and tears dripped off his eyelashes. ] It was... it was after I— After I killed you. Viktor, I'm sorry. [ She must have done something to him. Jayce never should have left him there. Jayce should have died there, too. He... ] It wasn't you.
But Viktor had tried to make something beautiful with it, and Jayce had torn it apart without ever really looking at it, and that haunted him even now. It likely always would. ]
Vitya. [ Jayce's voice was low, soothing, not an interjection but a crutch. He wanted his partner to lean on him, to take his strength for his own. I'm here, he said. I'm right here. ]
It wasn't you. [ That Jayce knew. Hearing that Viktor thought himself a threat was like a knife in his ribs, and he pressed another kiss to the top of his head. ] It was the general. Ambessa. [ The name was coated in venom. ] She wanted an army. I don't— [ His own voice cracked, and tears dripped off his eyelashes. ] It was... it was after I— After I killed you. Viktor, I'm sorry. [ She must have done something to him. Jayce never should have left him there. Jayce should have died there, too. He... ] It wasn't you.
[ It wasn't you. Viktor made a disbelieving sound. He didn't want to accept that. It was too easy to recuse himself, but people were dead. Injured. Worse. Someone had to answer for what happened, and Viktor had charged himself with the responsibility of their safety. It had to be him. He just wished he knew why. Maybe he could avoid it here. Maybe —
His quest led him astray of any trodden path.
His own shadow dissolved to darkness.
Viktor inhaled sharply with the realization, sitting up. ] Singed. [ He was staring into the middle distance, everything slotting into place. Softly, stunned, ] He was someone from my past. They came for Vander. They wanted to use him for their own ends, to turn him into a — [ Weapon.
Oh. ]
Jayce. [ Turning to gently grab his partner's face, Viktor's own expression was cracked open with vulnerability and relief. ] You were right. [ And Gods, he felt overwhelmed with gratitude, so much that his vision swam. ] You were right, [ he repeated, because he needed this, he needed him, and he brought their foreheads together, breath shuddering out of him. ] Thank you.
His quest led him astray of any trodden path.
His own shadow dissolved to darkness.
Viktor inhaled sharply with the realization, sitting up. ] Singed. [ He was staring into the middle distance, everything slotting into place. Softly, stunned, ] He was someone from my past. They came for Vander. They wanted to use him for their own ends, to turn him into a — [ Weapon.
Oh. ]
Jayce. [ Turning to gently grab his partner's face, Viktor's own expression was cracked open with vulnerability and relief. ] You were right. [ And Gods, he felt overwhelmed with gratitude, so much that his vision swam. ] You were right, [ he repeated, because he needed this, he needed him, and he brought their foreheads together, breath shuddering out of him. ] Thank you.
Edited 2025-04-04 16:33 (UTC)
[ Singed. Vander. Neither name meant anything to Jayce. What did matter was the lines of Viktor's face, the downturned corners of his mouth, the furrow in his brow. If this person from his past—the same person, Jayce suspected, was the one his partner had gone to the day of the blockade—had done this to Viktor, Jayce would never forgive them.
Before Jayce could slide any deeper into that darkness, Viktor's fingers were on his jaw and warmth flooded through him. Instinctively, he reached up to cradle his partner's jaw in his hands, heart squeezing at the expression that softened Viktor's features. ] Viktor. [ Leaning in, Jayce brushed the tips of their noses as he rested his forehead against Viktor's, thumb idly caressing his cheekbone. Relief crashed over him, too, and his shoulders sagged just a little. ] Telling me I'm right twice in one day? [ His tone was all teasing and warm, softening as he continued. ] I've never been happier to be right, Vitya. [ Jayce tugged him closer. ] I love you.
Before Jayce could slide any deeper into that darkness, Viktor's fingers were on his jaw and warmth flooded through him. Instinctively, he reached up to cradle his partner's jaw in his hands, heart squeezing at the expression that softened Viktor's features. ] Viktor. [ Leaning in, Jayce brushed the tips of their noses as he rested his forehead against Viktor's, thumb idly caressing his cheekbone. Relief crashed over him, too, and his shoulders sagged just a little. ] Telling me I'm right twice in one day? [ His tone was all teasing and warm, softening as he continued. ] I've never been happier to be right, Vitya. [ Jayce tugged him closer. ] I love you.
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