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[from here]

A small -- [He rests his forehead against Viktor's, knowing better now what that gesture means to someone from Zaun, and huffs a breathless laugh. How very Viktor to summarize that last year as a small success.]

It was more significant than that, what we managed to do. I promise, I will tell you. Soon.

It-

[He froze for a second at the gesture; everything up to then was one thing, but this was quite another. Affectionate between family and intimate between more than that, something he had never expected from Jayce of all people.]

[But...it would have been a lie to say he'd never wanted it.]

...it's alright. You do not have to tell me anything you are unprepared to. [Viktor closed his eyes with a small, tired smile, resting a hand loosely on the back of Jayce's neck.] Whatever has happened--I trust you to tell me, when you can.

We'll get there. I promise. [He knows what it means, but he's hoping Viktor won't know he knows. That maybe it, at least for now, can just be an innocent gesture between them. Something to remind him of their final moments together. Of them returning to each other.

There's a pause where Jayce is worried Viktor might pull away, but then he feels the hand on the back of his neck and lets out a shuddering breath. A sigh of relief.]

Thank you. For letting me stay here. Right now, I can't imagine being in the same city but not by your side.

Do not be ridiculous. Obviously I would want you to stay with me. [Because you're acting unusual and it's scaring the hell out of me that I don't know what happened.] We have practically lived together in the lab for years, it hardly makes a diffference.

I admit the space is a bit small for two people, but we can make it work.

I promise not to take up too much room. It's your space.

I did hear about a storm coming? [Which he's not excited about, especially not just after his arrival. But at least there's advanced warning, and precautions that can be taken.] I'm happy to reinforce the roof, or shutter the windows or anything that needs doing. Things have been strange, but I'm still handy with a hammer.

You worry too much. It is your space as well, now.

[Viktor pulled back slightly, enough to raise a hand to his partner's face as gold eyes scrutinized him with a look of soft concern.]

Of course I would welcome the help--we can find supplies while I am showing you around tomorrow, and we will work on preparations together. If this boat sinks, I will be very annoyed, after all.

[He frowned slightly, stroking his thumb along Jayce's cheekbone. It was the same kind of gentle care he'd always shown Viktor, albeit emboldened by this strange newfound closeness.]

There is nothing that can not wait until then. You look exhausted, Jayce--I want you to rest for now.

I won't let your boat sink. [He brushes aside the comment about him worrying too much; considering all that's happened, he thinks he worries just enough.

But then Viktor is touching face with such tenderness, looking at him with such concern, and his heart clenches, his breath catching in his throat.] I am. I'm so damned tired, Viktor.

But I'm here. And right now, that's all I care about.

You are. We are both here for the forseeable future, and there is nothing requiring our immediate attention. So you can rest now, and I would dare go so far as suggesting you get some sleep.

[Heresy though that was to the both of them.]

Well if you are saying I need sleep, I must look really rough. Although... honestly? I wouldn't mind a shower to clean up a bit. Maybe a pair of scissors to tidy some of this up? [He gestures to his scraggly beard and unkempt hair. He's still on the fence about the beard, but it's at least like to look a little more put together than he currently does.]

Not a bad idea, I have some clothes here that should fit you for now. But, eh...

[Viktor let his hand fall away, shrugging.]

This is a good look for you. Very...hm, not-Piltovan? Much less 'clean cut golden boy' and more...normal, I suppose.

Yeah? [His smile is a little crooked, but it's sincere. He reaches up to scratch at his beard with a thoughtful expression. If Viktor likes it, he feels less inclined to get rid of it.] Maybe I will keep it for a while, then. But it needs some trimming, for sure.

If I'm honest, I'm more than fine with not being the golden boy anymore. Just... being Jayce.

[Though he's reluctant to leave Viktor for even a moment, he forces himself to stand and step back.] I'll be quick, I just want to clean off and get comfortable.

Take as long as you want. The bathroom is that door over there, and the bedroom is the one next to it.

[Strange, how the lack of contact was what felt unusual now. Viktor had to admit he needed a little breathing room to piece together what in the hell was going on, but...]

[...well. Even if it would surely amount to nothing, it was nice all the same.]

Edited 2025-05-22 05:09 (UTC)

Thank you. [He squeezes Viktor's shoulder as he passes, then ruffles at his hair with a soft chuffed laugh. Just happy to be in his partner's presence again.] I'll be back.

[He does stop by the kitchen area to grab scissors, so he can tame his hair and beard into something less wild and patchy. It takes a bit for him to work his brace off, less used to it than Viktor might be. But he does make it into the shower and almost groans in relief when the hot water hits his skin. Between the alternate dimension trip and that final battle, he feels like there's dirt, ash, and dried blood caked onto his skin.

He stands there for a while before he grabs the soap to scrub hard at his skin to get the layers of grime off.]

[Once Jayce was out of sight, Viktor dropped his face into his hands with a slow exhale that rattled uncomfortably in his chest and tapered off in a quiet cough. Gods, where did he even start? Confused, overwhelmed, and with a thousand questions impossible to answer--he was going to need advice on this later, rummaging through a drawer for his Glimmer and shooting off a quick message to Aqua before putting it away again.]

[Luckily, he'd at least planned--or hoped--for this general situation, walking into the bedroom and searching through drawers before setting out some clothes in roughly Jayce's size; better to be prepared than not.]

[But gods, who the hell could be prepared for this kind of thing? Viktor sat down on the edge of the bed and scrubbed a hand over his face, trying to organize his thoughts and commit everything to memory for later examination. He trusted answers would be given in time, that much was honest--the question was how to support his partner when Viktor scarcely understood what was even going on.]

[...They hadn't, right? No, no, Jayce was always open with his casual affection; naturally stress would only exacerbate the desire for physical contact. It was probably nothing.]

[It takes him a while to feel actually clean again. He does his best not to let his mind wander, to stay focused on the present. Cranking the water as hot as it will go and focusing on the scent of Viktor's soap.

He needs to tell him. Viktor deserves to know. But it will take time, and it doesn't have to be tonight. Finally, for once, they have time.

Jayce dries off and studies himself in the mirror, rubbing a hand over his beard. Maybe he'll get rid of it, but for now? It suits him. He sticks to a quick trim for now, neatening up the beard and the ends of his hair into something more manageable. Something that makes it look more purposeful and less battleworn.

That done (and sink cleaned, he's not going to be rude), he wraps a towel around his waist and steps out of the bathroom.]

Thank you, I needed that like you wouldn't believe. [He gives a self deprecating laugh, running a hand through his slightly shorter, neater hair.]

Ah-

[All the overthinking Viktor had engaged with in the meantime very abruptly stopped, and holy Jan'ahrem, breath of the Undercity, take him now before he said something really stupid.]

Right. Don't worry about it, this is, uh...your home too. As long as you want it to be. Here, these should fit y-...?

[Viktor's eyes darted around nervously--and then stopped, faint embarrassment turning sharp as he trailed off midsentence. His eyes locked onto Jayce's forearm, Viktor all but snatched his crutch back up and stepped over, grabbing his wrist and turning his arm over.]

Jayce, what- [His thumb brushed over the markings of arcane corruption, worry manifesting in a deepening frown as he looked to the runestone embedded in his skin.] How did this...?

Oh -- [He leans a little against the doorframe to support the weight of his bad leg while Viktor studies his arm. This he can tell, at least in part.]

It's my rune. I met the mage again, a few months back. When our paths crossed again -- he fused the rune into my arm. [He tries to ignore the shiver that runs through him as Viktor traces the rune with his thumb, biting the inside of his cheek.] Harder to lose it this way, I guess.

What? You-...?

[That was a lot to process and another several note committed to memory, but Viktor let go of his wrist and stepped back at the explanation. Straining themselves wouldn't make things any clearer, after all.]

Does it hurt? We can get someone at the hospital to look at it, if you want to.Gods, and here I thought my work was reckless annd dangerous.

[If only you knew, Viktor.]

Our work was reckless and dangerous. And half the time you didn't wear your goggles. [His smile is as affectionate as it is teasing, and he reaches out to take and squeeze Viktor's hand lightly, trying to reassure him.] That's a good way to lose an eyebrow, you know.

It doesn't hurt. Sometimes I forget it's there. It didn't hurt when it happened, either. Some heat, some pressure, but it was done in a moment.

[Viktor huffed out something between a scoff and a laugh, trying to hide how his concern had not lessened much with that reassurance.]

Fine, if you are sure of that. [But there were a whole lot more unspoken questions hangong on the end of that concession.]

Viktor... [He looks at his partner with those same, wide amber eyes. Warm and fond, with what he hopes is a reassuring smile.] There's so much I haven't told you yet, I know that. But if I tell you that I'm okay, that it's going to be fine, will you believe me?

[Viktor pressed a hand to his eyes and sighed, before letting it fall away and turning to pick up the neatly folded clothes he'd set out.]

This is not about me, Jayce. I have trusted you implicitly for years, ever since we met. If you say you will tell me what has happened with time, that you are alright, then I will believe you.

[He turned back, gently shoving the clothes into Jayce's arms.]

But I trust you because we are partners, and that is the same reason you will not keep me from worrying about you. Do you understand?

[The suddenness of the actions throws him a bit offguard, and he reels back a little in surprise as the clothing is shoved into his arms.] Yeah -- yes. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.

[As with everything Jayce says, there's a sincerity there. He didn't even consider that all of this might worry Viktor, and he feels terrible for it.] I'll get dressed and join you back out at the couch, okay? But... thank you. For worrying.

You have worried for me enough. It is only fair it should be my turn for a change. [Viktor shook his head slightly, briefly resting a hand on Jayce's shoulder as he walked past him--then paused like something occurred to him on that subject.]

I-...it has probably been some time for you since then, but-- [He cleared his throat quietly, not looking back but turning faintly pink at the back of his neck.] I can not remember if I thanked you, for staying with me at the hospital. So-...thank you.

[At which point Viktor excused himself about as quickly as he'd ever moved.]

Viktor. [His voice catches in his throat a little at the thanks, and he starts to reach out --

But then Viktor's retreated again and Jayce lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Right. He'll get dressed.

The clothes, to his surprise, fit him pretty damned well. Maybe a little snug, but definitely not Viktor's size. Which means -- fuck. Has Viktor been waiting for him, here? Did he get clothes that might fit Jayce, just in case he arrived? Gods, how disappointed must Viktor be that it's not his Jayce who's here, now.

He sighs and pushes his hands through his hair, deciding to leave his brace off for the evening and hobble his way back out to the living room.]

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